In today's uncertain economy, many companies are struggling to stay afloat. Unfortunately, this often means that layoffs become necessary. However, there are certain strategies you can do to increase your value to the company and protect your job. Here are some tips on how to increase your value and avoid layoffs.
Ways to Increase Your Value
Consider Moving to Sales
Revenue is essential to any business, and individuals who bring in money are typically the last to be let go. If you can move into the sales division or take on a sales-support role, this can help increase the organization's overall revenue and keep you securely employed throughout a recession.
For example, if you work in marketing, consider learning sales techniques and taking on a hybrid role that includes marketing and sales responsibilities.
Consider adding sales to your skillset with the help of the internet:
Learn The 3 Most Important Skills In Sales if you are new to sales or read online blogs like The Sales Blog to learn advanced selling techniques.
Be Amicable, But Be Authentic
No matter what position you hold, be friendly and approachable. Those with less social ties are often the first to be let go during layoffs. However, it's important to continue to be genuine and honest, as authenticity and honesty are often seen as extremely positive traits.
Living with integrity day in and out makes it difficult to let you go knowing that you are an asset to the company.
Improving your Interpersonal skills
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. By understanding your own emotions and how they impact your behavior, you can control your reactions and communicate in a more effective and respectful manner with your colleagues.
There are free courses from Coursera to look into improving your emotional intelligence.
Think Big: Create Opportunities for You
Participating in larger company projects, especially the challenging, high-profile ones that nobody else wants to work on, is another strategy to prevent a potential layoff. When layoffs are necessary, but you are working on a significant project, management will probably try to avoid losing your input. They won't be able to afford to fire you if you are a vital contributor to a crucial project.
For example, if your company is launching a new product, volunteer to take on a leadership role in the project or offer to lead a cross-functional team to ensure the project's success.
To increase your value to the company and avoid layoffs, learn to lead, collaborate, and negotiate effectively. By improving these skills through courses or mentorship opportunities, you can become a more valuable asset and increase your chances of success.
To start, Coursera offers free courses about High-Performance Collaboration: Leadership, Teamwork, and Negotiation.
Sharpen Your Own Tools
Take the time to retrain yourself to become an employee that another company will hire if you are indeed laid off. Enhance your business vocabulary, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and other important competencies relevant to the position you want.
There are many businesses eager to hire great people with these skills, even during a recession. Why? Because a weak economy frequently presents opportunities for restructuring and inexpensive talent acquisition.
Being adaptable can create opportunities.
Address the Emotional Toll of Layoffs
Losing a job or learning that the company is going through retrenchment is a stressful and anxiety-provoking experience. It's important to acknowledge the emotional toll that layoffs can take on job seekers and employees.
To cope with the situation, focus on self-care, staying positive, and seeking support from friends and family. You can also seek professional help if you are struggling to cope with the stress of a possible layoff. Websites such as BetterHelp offer online counseling and therapy services.
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