How Not to Lose Your Job

The fear of losing a job is a common monster most employees face. When you have bills to pay and family to take care of, the last thing you want to hear is, “you’re fired.”

In the current world, numerous reasons can make you lose your job. Of course, some of these are out of your control. For example, if the employer is losing money or scrapping your department.

However, most layoff triggers are those within your control. There are chances you can increase your odds not to lose your job during layoffs.

Do you feel vulnerable in your current place of work after a successful job interview? Here are tested ways to lower the risk of losing your job by increasing your lifelines in that organization.

Tips to Avoid Losing Your Job 

1. Embrace the Company’s Culture

You’re exposing yourself when you behave in a way that conflicts with the organization’s culture. Make an effort to understand the culture and align yourself to fit in. You can’t operate out of the system and expect not to lose your job.

Avoid being in your world. Even if you are introverted, be involved in what is happening. Make sure to attend those corporate events, lunches, and parties. If that is what the company desires and stresses, you better tune to the rhythm.

You can’t be the one to disagree if the company emphasizes consensus in public meetings. If the company esteems a high level of secrecy in its operations, train yourself to be silent. Those fundamental principles and codes of ethics are what define that organization. Therefore, as an employee, you must embrace that identity.  

2. Improve Yourself Constantly

This is one of the best ways to secure your job. It is becoming a better employee each day. Exploring those diverse ways you can utilize to remain competitive. For example, read those journals and attend business conferences at least annually.

Do not allow knowledge to bypass you. Your skills must not become outdated. All these will leave you exposed during a layoff. If you don’t want to lose your job, enhance your capacity to succeed in a new environment.

Be aware of the new technologies influencing your job. From there, equip yourself to get your work done to remain relevant. Otherwise, you will be seen as a less helpful person and lacking initiative.

3. Understand Management Priorities

Do you know when you should be worried about losing your job? For sure, it is when your goals do not align with those of the management. In fact, when you are only concerned about your performance expectations, your boss sees you as a liability.

 It is hard not to lose your job when you are not working toward the management’s top priorities. Therefore, dedicate most of your time to the things the employer cares about.

There is a secret to winning this employment game. That is, align your work performance toward the company’s strategies and objectives. You can do this by meeting your boss to understand your position’s expectations.

4. Be Flexible

Flexibility is a significant aspect, especially when layoff times are inevitable. It comes in handy when your boss is confident that you will not be affected when things are restructured. This way, you are sure not to lose your job as you can easily change roles as the need arises.

Interestingly, when you are adaptable and resilient, it is hard to be cut off. This is because, during reshuffling, the company always desires to keep the best. Those who can be placed in different environments and still thrive.

However, it is worth noting that a wide variety of skills necessitates flexibility. Otherwise, your flexibility and adaptability will be limited. You have to be useful and contribute sufficiently in the new areas.

5. Take care of the Small Matters

Could it be that your organization highly regards those things seen as negligible? Then, you better adhere to them diligently to secure your job. You don’t want to be someone who always arrives late or is absent from work. Be sure to deliver your projects on time. Act professionally, and be organized and neat.

Besides, learn how to play and get along with office politics. It could save you when things are downsizing as you will be aware of the happenings. However, exhibit a high level of maturity by knowing when to engage and when to be politically tone-deaf.

Additionally, you need to take care of relationships. Cooperate with colleagues and managers. Express a positive attitude. Don’t be viewed as unpleasant, unfriendly, or challenging to deal with. Always starting conflict at work could be the quickest way to lose your job.

6. Position Yourself 

In every organization, position matters. The more critical your job position is, the better for your survival. Although this doesn’t sound good to many, it is a fact of life. If you are the only master of what you do for business continuity, safer you are.

Of course, you may find yourself in those less critical positions in the company. However, it is possible to strategize and show your worth to the employer. Perform your functions uniquely to attract the management’s attention. This way, they will see how your work contributes to the company’s top-line achievements.

In case your position is one of many, become a top performer for you not to lose your job easily. Position yourself to be regarded and viewed as the most reliable employee. But remember, this can’t happen if your accomplishments dictate otherwise. Update the management about your projects, improvements, and those challenges you’ve overcome.

Final Thoughts

If the fear of losing your job is overwhelming, then you have the solution here. There is always a way out not to lose your job. Understand the functionality of your workplace and decide which of these strategies works in your favor.

However, even if these techniques of positioning yourself, being flexible, improving yourself, and taking care of the small things make you indispensable, be ready for anything. Sometimes, supporting the management goals and tuning to the company’s culture might not be enough.

Therefore, always be prepared for the worst. Be always working behind the scenes for your next move. Because you might still fall victim to restructuring or downsizing. 

FAQs

What is the most common reason for losing your job?

Your attitude could be the number one reason for you to lose your job. It defines you and dictates your trajectory in that company. When you have the wrong attitude, everything goes south. You won’t be a team player, and you are often toxic. You can’t improve yourself or work towards the company’s goals and objectives. Your attitude shapes your opportunity.

Is it normal to worry about losing your job?

The fear of being laid off is common and cuts across many employees. This is regardless of your role, location, or industry. In fact, most people remain silent in meetings or avoid making certain decisions, all in fear of being fired. However, you can learn to overcome it by positioning yourself at the center of the company’s survival.

Why do good employees get fired?

Let’s say you have been performing your roles and acting professionally at work. Your firing then could be explained as a collective business decision. The company could be going down, and they can’t sustain you anymore. Painfully, maybe your skill sets from your position don’t align with the company’s needs at that given moment in time.