According to The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the Massachusetts unemployment rate is about 7%. While more layoffs may be eminent in your industry, here are some tips to help you avoid being laid-off and keep your great Job in Boston.
Keep a Positive Attitude - Times are tough and they are tough for everyone. Your co-workers don’t want to hear about your financial troubles because they most likely are feeling the same pinch. Employers want to keep employees that are friendly and pleasant to work with and would rather get rid of the negative energy in the office.
Go Above and Beyond - Now is not the time for status quo. You are essentially competing with your co-workers if layoffs are in the pipeline at your company. If you are the type of employee that is generally aggressive at work and, you need to change your game plan. Volunteer for projects and show your boss you can execute deliverables effectively and efficiently. You need to be noticed by your employer as a star employee that is indispensible.
Put a Face to Your Name - Make it a point to spend a little more time having personal conversations with your boss. When employers are trying to decide who should stay and who should be cut, it may help your case if you can humanize yourself and not be just another employee number.
Stay on Top of Your Skills - Learn new skills or sharpen up old ones. The more you can tack on to your resume the better. Employers are trying to cut back expenses and downsizing the workforce is a common strategy. By increasing your skills set and potentially being capable of doing two people’s job, you increase your chance of staying employed.
Stay Connected - If your LinkedIn account hasn’t seen much activity lately, log on and update your profile today. While you still have a job, reach out to your current contacts and make new connections. Send e-mails or meet for coffee to catch up. This will be advantageous to you in the event that you are laid-off in the near future. It won’t seem like you are only getting in touch because you are recently unemployed. It also serves as a means to keep your ears open and see which of your contacts are unemployed.
