It seems that women may not be “opting out” as much as they are being laid off.  According to a Congressional report issued on Tuesday, women have become as vulnerable as men are to losing their jobs during economic downturns.  Not exactly the kind of news for either men or women to celebrate since a typical family relies on the wife for more than one third of its income.

While we can’t control what happens on a macro level (although we can certainly pay attention to policies those running for office propose  and vote accordingly), we can help ourselves even in a difficult economy.

Lois offered some great advice last month; I’d like to expand on some of her points and disagree with another: (more…)

TAGS: adding value, bosses, managing up, managing your career, surviving downsizing

Today’s economy has made the workplace more competitive than ever.   Financial services firms, retailers, and even your neighborhood Starbuck’s are feeling the crunch.  You can increase the likelihood of not just surviving in this economy, but thriving by being the kind of employee who adds value and is also a delight to work with.   Try following these ten simple steps to increase the likelihood of being bullet proof:

1.    Make it easy to give you feedback by regularly asking what you can do “more of” or “less of” to better meet the boss’s expectations. 

2.    When you are given feedback, don’t rebut it or argue with it.  Simply listen, thank the boss for taking the time to give it to you and promise that you will take it seriously.  Then act in ways that show you got the message. 

3.    Learn the boss’s primary objectives and develop your own goals around those.   Be certain to illuminate how your actions are in sync with his or hers.  Making the boss look good makes you look good.

4.    Don’t cry on the boss’s shoulder.  Even though some appear very kind and understanding, bosses really don’t want to play the role of psychologist.  If you do break down in front of the boss, excuse yourself and do your boo-hooing in the ladies room. 

5.    Never try to change the boss.  It’s not your job.  You can (and should) ask for what you need to be effective (more time together, more feedback, etc.) but whether or not you get it is entirely up to the boss.

6.    Distinguish your boss from your parents, husband or other meaningful people in your life.  Many times women react to the boss as they might to a parent because the boss is an authority figure of sorts.  This can result in you misinterpreting the boss’s behavior or comments. 

7.    See your boss as a human being, not a one-dimensional entity.  The boss is bound to make mistakes, let you down, and have his or her own problems too.  Don’t put bosses on a pedestal — they’ll always tumble off.  Be as forgiving as you would want the boss to be with you.

8.    Deliver more than you promise.  Make certain you meet or beat deadlines, submit work free from errors, and go the extra mile to interpret data, not just report it.

9.    Avoid being a “high maintenance” employee.  Too many complaints, too many challenges, or being too needy will put you in this category.  As one CEO said, “I like it when people push once and push twice.  Three times is too many.”

10. If  you’ve done all the things described above and you still don’t trust your boss, if the boss is making your life miserable, or if it’s clear your boss doesn’t trust you, you have only three options: wait the boss out until a new one comes in; transfer to another department within your company; quit.  It’s that simple. 

TAGS: adding value, bosses, managing up, managing your career, surviving downsizing

US News and World Report recently interviewed me for an article titled “4 Ways to Boost Your Career During a Recession.”   In case you don’t subscribe, let me summarize the points author Liz Wolgemuth cited as opportunities for those impacted by a lay-off:

 1.  Re-create your brand.  With a smaller workforce you’ll be expected to do more (or at least as much) with less.  Rather than view it as just more work, look for the lemonade in those lemons and seize the opportunity to learn as much as you can that will expand your current skill set. 

2.  Lay claim to assignments, accounts, and projects that will help advance your career.  Many times it’s the higher paid employees who are let go.  Don’t wait to be asked, make known your desire to do these jobs.  This requires getting over your survivor guilt — fast.

3.  Volunteer to pick up the slack.  Although you won’t be able to immediately ask for a promotion or raise as a result of the additional work, in time you will be able to make a case for them if you pick up the slack and show you’ve been a team player. 

4.  Be flexible in your job search.  If you’re one of those who are let go, be open-minded about possibilities that will bring in money.  It might be the perfect time to change careers and an interim job could provide you with the skills needed to do it.  One summer I worked for the oil company ARCO writing job descriptions while I was on a break from my job as a university dorm director.  It changed the entire course of my career and life. 

TAGS: lay-offs, recession, surviving downsizing, survivor guilt