Becoming a value-added employee boosts job security - Business & Finance

ECONOMISTS CLAIM the recession is over; politicians take credit for its demise; financial planners urge caution; consumers believe little of it; and workers continue to eye their job security with skepticism. Has the post-Sept. 11 recession finally ended, or are we simply experiencing a short resurgence of guarded consumer confidence?

The Milken Institute, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based economic think tank, issued a report predicting that more than 1,600,000 jobs would be lost by the end of 2002 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. According to the report, 760,000 job losses would be directly attributed to the attacks. The rest would result from the "ripple" effect as organizations adjust their bottom lines to accommodate economic conditions. Beyond the expected cuts in travel and tourism, downsizing also was expected across all segments of the economy.

In April, 2002, the Federal Reserve issued its spring report to Congress' Joint Economic Committee, noting that regional economic conditions were improving. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan was cautiously optimistic, citing Mideast tensions and rising oil prices as possible complications to the nation's economic recovery. Nevertheless, workers are still warily eyeing their futures.

Younger workers seem to be carrying the brunt of the recessionary layoff fever. In January, 2002, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that workers aged 16 to 24 represented just 16% of the labor force, yet accounted for one-third of those unemployed. News for graduates on college campuses hasn't been much better. Hiring through college career centers dropped 36% during the 2001-02 academic year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Graduates trying to enter the labor market have had to be more assertive and flexible in their job searches, some taking their second or third choice in employment options.

The current state of the economy, the lingering recession, and the evaporating image of long-term employment security are topics firmly entrenched in many workers' daily conversations and business transactions. Those who do have jobs wonder what is on the horizon for their own positions and future career stability.

For workers with the entrepreneurial spirit, now may be a time for change, seeking out new challenges and opportunities in an economy in flux. Success stories abound about risk-takers who have prospered in times of chaos or challenge.

For those with job security paramount in their career strategies, now may be the time to sit tight and see what the near future brings. The good news is that there are specific ways for workers seeking a sense of employment security to increase their value to their current employer. When it comes to the bottom line, most companies appreciate employees who can provide value-added functions within the organization and demonstrate a can-do attitude among their peers.

While there are admittedly few guarantees in the world of work, becoming more proactive can enhance employees' viability in their present positions while decreasing the chances they will be viewed as an impediment to the organization's growth and survival. The more workers contribute and the more functions they can perform, the more valuable they become to the bottom line and, subsequently, the harder it is for the organization to do without them.

Increasing your value

If you find yourself facing an uncertain workplace, here are 10 ways you can increase your value to your current employer as well as enhance your visibility with superiors and coworkers:

1 Look for ways to demonstrate the value you bring to the organization. More than ever before, workers are expected to show the need they fulfill within their organizations. Without becoming a braggart, you should be assertive in documenting the accomplishments you have made and communicate these on a regular basis to your boss. No matter who your customers, clients, or students may be, showing that you have made a positive difference on the bottom line increases your status as an indispensable employee. Record your work accomplishments and successes in a personal achievement journal and share your progress with your supervisor through update meetings, e-mails, or written notes, and especially discuss these at performance appraisal time. Strive to exceed the expectations your employer has for you and your job function.

2 Volunteer for leadership opportunities. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, business consultants and management experts admonished managers to emphasize leadership skills over more-traditional management models in the ways they supervised and motivated workers. One of the many positive benefits of this trend is that most employers today recognize that truly anyone can be a leader within the organization. Even if you don't hold a management niche on the organizational chart, you can find many opportunities to apply your knowledge and expertise to problems or challenges. Be sure to volunteer to chair task forces or work groups, offer suggestions for improved customer service, and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the organization's business needs.

3 Develop and enhance your reputation for reliability. Many employers cite finding reliable, dedicated workers as their biggest human resources challenge. The work ethic of "a day's work for a day's pay" still holds true for most organizations' expectation of workers. Show your dependability in completing assignments on time and within budget, focusing on customer needs and satisfaction. In addition, strive to show your commitment to ethical behavior on the job. Refrain from participating in coffee room gossip or the rumor mill; be honest and fair in all of your dealings; and never misuse your employer's resources (whether taking office supplies or using computer equipment). Showing your willingness to work hard, taking initiative, and supporting company goals all help to position you as a valuable employee.

4 Embrace the value of your coworkers. "Works and plays well with others" is a teacher comment many individuals may remember from their childhood report cards. Teamwork, employee involvement, and working together are hallmarks of today's successful organizations. Consider volunteering for opportunities to work with others or even to lead work groups. Recognize and use the differences among your coworkers that bring a diversity of ideas and talents to solving problems. Enhance your interpersonal skills and seek training or learning situations where you can develop your leadership and facilitator skills. Stay positive with those you work with and help others to develop commitment to work and achieving goals. Recognize the accomplishments of others.

5 Seek new skills and learning opportunities. Continuing your education and acquiring marketable job skills are crucial if you want to manage your career successfully. Your employer may sponsor onsite training opportunities or may be willing to send you to seminars and conferences. Many employers will provide educational assistance for additional college courses. Observe where your organization's business needs are taking it. What skills or knowledge will be valuable as it heads in new directions or responds to new challenges? Continuous improvement of your job skills enhances your appeal not only to your current employer, but to other organizations.

6 Build and maintain your network, and seek a mentor. A professional network, both within and outside of your organization, helps you keep current with the issues and people who make a difference in your business as well as positioning you as a true stakeholder in the eyes of others. Networks help keep you "in the know," which can often give you the edge in finding out about upcoming changes or opportunities you can take advantage of. In addition, having a mentor (someone in your profession whom you respect) can be invaluable in learning from another's experiences and having the chance to bounce ideas around with someone you trust.

7 Be adaptable and embrace change. Someone once commented that the only person who really looks forward to a change is a wet baby. Anyone who works in today's economy, though, knows that change is the watchword. Those who are flexible and willing to take on new challenges are the workers who increase their value and stature within the organization. While it may not be easy to assess continually the impact that "big-picture" changes will have on you and your specific job function, try to position yourself with your boss as one who is willing to examine opportunities and situations that affect your organization and the business you do.

8 Keep personal problems out of the workplace. What happens to people outside of work hours certainly has an impact on who they are and what they do. Today's lifestyle issues of dual-career couples, child and elder care, cost-of-living challenges, and personal health all add pressures to individuals' out look on life and how work complements their daily responsibilities. While personal issues are real and important to well-being, employees can't let them affect their work performance. Employers can be understanding to a degree, but issues that interfere with daily productivity can only label someone as a problem employee. Workers should seek ways to balance all aspects of their lives, and take advantage of employee assistance programs when offered.

9 Make your boss look good. No matter what level you hold within your organization, your job is to help your boss accomplish his or her performance objectives. Strive for open communication with your supervisor to learn how you can help achieve those goals. Keep your boss in the loop on what you are doing and aware of any land mines that may lie in wait. Develop your ability to anticipate your boss' needs, based on experience. Volunteer for projects and assignments, and look for opportunities that let you exceed expectations.

10 Stay positive. No one likes a Gloomy Gus. Positive employees are valued for the tone they help set within the organization. Avoid whining and complaining, and always offer potential solutions when presenting a problem to coworkers or managers. Help others to focus on the good things your organization is doing and how you can work together toward solutions to many challenges.

Work continues to be one of the most-visible and -defining elements of the American character. Its affects on us range from economic security and career fulfillment to providing a sense of purpose in our daily activities. Becoming a value-added employee not only empowers us in enhancing our work opportunities, it enables us to help transform the face of the workplace while demonstrating our commitment to the American dream, something no terrorist or recession can take from us.

Larry S. Beck is associate director of Ball State University's Career Center, Muncie, Ind.

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