RM Online - Improve your job security with 12 rules

You need your job and for the most part, you enjoy the work you do. However, you don't feel too secure in light of all the downsizing and rightsizing that's been going around lately.

So what can you do to increase your worth to your employer and maybe even position yourself for advancement? The following are proven principles for increasing your job security. Interestingly enough, most of these strategies will also benefit you if you're self-employed.

The dynamic dozen

1) Apply yourself diligently. A valuable employee is one who knows how to work hard and work smart - and, most importantly, is who gives his or her best every day. The best way to keep your job or get a promotion is to do what you do well.

2) Take care of your customers. We all have customers. These are the folks who depend on us for the products and services we provide. Some are internal customers. There are others in our organization who depend on us for the work we do. Some are external. Everyone's job security ultimately rests on satisfying all of our customers.

3) Improve your communication skills. Folks who know how to listen carefully, speak fluently and write well have extra value to most companies. Join a Toastmasters Club, read good books on this topic or attend communication-building seminars and workshops.

4) Think forward. Plan ahead, anticipate problems and solve them quickly. If you have to go to your boss with a problem, always suggest possible solutions.

5) Become a team player. The only place a "lone ranger" succeeds is in the movies. Substitute "we" for "I" in your business discussions. Work hard to cooperate rather than criticize. Find win-win solutions for internal conflicts.

6) Avoid making enemies. There's an adage that warns us to be careful who we step on as we climb the ladder of success. You never know who you'll meet on the way down. (See No. 9.)

7) Be positive and enthusiastic. Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi said, "If you're not fired with enthusiasm you'll be fired with enthusiasm." Most managers prefer an employee with a good positive attitude and fewer skills over a highly skilled person with an "I don't care" attitude.

8) Cross train. Build your skills by accepting every training opportunity. Broaden your value by being good in more than one area. When attending seminars, take good notes, listen carefully and be an active participant. Review your notes and materials every week until you've mastered the concepts.

9) Be a friend. Choose your friends carefully. Surround yourself with positive people whose ethics, integrity and company loyalty are above reproach. A good friend who has the respect of his or her superiors can be a huge asset to your career.

10) Spend your time wisely. Learn to prioritize, organize and specialize. Avoid fruitless meetings. Make notes of discussions before you phone. Place your own phone calls. Do challenging work when you are fresh and at your best. Spend minutes as if they were dollars. Do the most important work first. Don't confuse urgent tasks with important ones.

11) Save your company money. There are many ways to cut costs. Analyze expenditures in your area. Point out ways to save. When you see waste, nail it. Profit dollars are hard to get. Don't allow them to be squandered.

12) Focus on what, not who. When problems arise, try to find out what happened and what can be done. Who caused the problem is not important. Finding a solution is.