The job market is tough and a lot of people are out of work. The competition for a job opening is fierce. Many people are unable to to secure new jobs due to outdated skills and poor performance in their old jobs.
Outdated job skills and poor performance in jobs impact your financial situation greatly. Even if you already have a job, you need to take a serious look at your skills and job situation regularly to be on the top of your plan for any future mishap in the event of a job loss. Your financial health requires foresight and planning to avoid being laid off and to survive an income loss.
Write down all your job skills. It also helps you build a great resume. Now, evaluate each skill against emerging technology that can make your skills obsolete.
Find out if enrolling in a class will help you sharpen your skills in a technical, business, public speaking, marketing or any other field that is good for your career.
If so, check with your employer if you get reimbursed for continuing education. Many employers reward employees who are proactive on the job about continuing education.
If there is a certification course in your career field, get yourself certified. For example, if you’re involved in green building projects, a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification vastly improves your job opportunities.
If you’re currently employed, assess your performance honestly. Ask yourself the following questions:
Do you arrive at your job on time?
Do you complete all the tasks that are asked of you without constantly asking your supervisor for directions?
Do you meet all your deadlines?
Are you a team player?
Do you take initiatives and offer your help when your team is not able to meet deadlines?
Are you willing to work a few extra hours to meet deadlines?
Do you go out of your way to help or mentor new employees?
Good job performance is not just meeting the minimum. If you want your boss to keep you during the tough time, make yourself noticeable.
Keep your resume up-to-date in all online resume sites. You don’t have to make them public.
Maintain contacts with your colleagues and former bosses. They will often provide you inside information to open positions.
Use LinkedIn to main your contacts during the good time that you can leverage during the bad time.
Build your emergency savings when you’re in a job. When your regular income is eliminated due to a job loss, you should be able to draw from your emergency savings to survive the financial hardship for a few months. Most financial planners suggest to keep enough money in savings to cover eight months of basic living expenses.