3 Warning Signs Your Job is in Jeopardy

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Have you had a feeling that doom is eminent… that you may wake up tomorrow and find yourself without a position?

Most of us do these days, with all the mediocre economic news and constant report of more layoffs.

There is hope, however, if you are prepared. Here’s what to look out for and how you can rest easier at night.

1.Your company has been sold or merged.

Typically this isn’t good for non-management employees and even some in management. Merging means duplication of jobs, which equals redundancy. One or both of the company’s will cut the workforce as a purely business decision. Remember, when you work for a corporation you are basically just a number or a “resource” (hence why there’s a “human resources” department).

 

What you hopefully have already done is build a network outside, but also inside the company (see my post for tips on networking by clicking here). Does you boss have influence on decisions in the company and do they like you? If you have invested in your relationships with your superiors you may be safe. But like anything in life there are no guarantees.

2. Your level of responsibility has been going down

Does the intern now seem to have more duties than you? Could be a sign the company is phasing you job out and shifting to the $15 per hour intern to cut costs.

Might be a good time to level with your boss. Or you could just try to hide out for as long as you can. Again, if you’ve been building a network you would be at this point reaching out to some key folks who can hopefully help you land a job elsewhere.  You should also talk with your co-workers about it and see if they’re experiencing the same problem.

3. Management has been behind closed doors and there’s rumors going around

Has the bi-weekly memo from the COO been late the past couple of months? Is the manager of your department in meeting half the day every other day? This could signal management intends to make some changes that could affect your position.

Don’t listen to office gossip but do take a look at your managers. Body language can reveal much. Has the head of finance who was always walking around, chatting up people suddenly turned into a cold shouldered jerk who won’t even make eye contact? The finance department knows what’s going on with the company’s assets, and it may be bad news- maybe the company is going bankrupt.

Bottom line is anything is possible these days. Some companies do well in a recession, others go out of business, and some ride the wave.

Preparation is key. If you’ve ever felt what it’s like to get a pink slip you know this. You probably didn’t see it coming. I didn’t when I got mine. So don’t take anything for granted.

If you have a professional network there may be somebody who can help you in the event you are laid off. And there are staffing agencies out there, such as Robert Half that are great if you need to find something quick. Many times they have a client who is only looking for a temp though.

There is another way you may have already thought of. A side business could be a great fit if you have a desire to earn a side income and even turn it into a full time venture in the long run.

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are passionate about getting out of the rat race so you never have to worry about the warning signs I laid out above, contact me and I will provide some free training on how you can grow a business from home the right way.

Keep a positive attitude in every situation and you will grow from it. Remember that even if things get bad, it is only temporary and you can do something to change it.

Think about that and share this article if you have gotten any value from it.

The Suze Orman School of Success

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Are you at a point where you’re debating whether to go it alone or continue following the crowd? Well if you’re only debating you are in a good position- a lot of people are forced to because they are semi-permanently unemployed.

Suze Orman tells it like it is.

Suze grew up on the “other side of the tracks” outside of Chicago. Her parents struggled to make ends meet. She worked in the takeout shack her father had purchased when she was young.  She worked as a waitress when she was older.

Then she became interested and started working as a stockbroker. She built up a reputation and went out on her own and the rest, as they say is history.

What’s great about her story is that she has achieved a level of success most with a similar background don’t even think possible for themselves. She got where she is by working harder and not letting her past be a handicap, but an advantage.

Was it tough? Sure. But she learned the value of self-reliance and a strong work ethic. The harder you have it in the beginning, hopefully the more ambitious you become.

It’s the American dream isn’t it? To, against all odds, become someone others look up to.

Success doesn’t have to be being famous and wealth either. As Orman said so Success magazine “success comes when you can look in the mirror and like what’s looking back.”

What does success mean to you? Does it mean achieving a long term goal or getting to a certain position in your company? Or is it to help as many people as possible all over the world?

There are many ways to be successful but it all comes down to doing what you’re passionate about. I believe if you can spend your time doing things you really want to do and love to do, that’s success.

Most people don’t get to this point until retirement and for some nowadays that day may never come.

But there is hope for the people who are ready for a change.

Are you ready to make a change for the better?

Leave a comment below and let me know.

Please share this post if you want to inspire someone today :)

To Your Succes!

5 Networking Mistakes that Make You Look Like a Fool

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So you know you’ve gotta get out there and build a network. You know how important it is to have connections in your field and that most opportunities are found through “who you know”.

But you’re new to this and so have some fears about it- what to say to people, how to approach etc. Here are the 5 things not to do before, during, and after an important networking event. Unless you want to look like a fool!

1. Arriving late

If you get there late, you’ve already set yourself back. You’ll walk in and most everyone will likely already be deep in conversation with everyone else. No need to end up a wallflower for 10 minutes while you wait for someone to shake hands and walk away from someone else- get there early (5-10 mintues should do it) and welcome someone coming in the door. You’ll be much less nervous and stressed.

2. Talking about YOU

Here’s the golden key of networking: it is not about you. If you want to stand out from everybody else somebody has talked to, be genuinely interested in them. Ask them questions about what they do, where they’re from, and ask them to elaborate on a particular detail they’ve already given.

At some point they will ask about your life. Briefly give them your shpiel, or 30 second commercial as some call it, then say, “but enough about me. tell me more about..”. This will make you so attractive to the other person (in a non-romantic way), and you may make a great connection.

3. Talking to One Person for 20 Minutes

If you want to make at least 5 connections in a span of a couple hours (typical length of an event) you have got to use your time wisely.

So if you’re talking with someone who will not shut up, kindly say “well it’s been a pleasure to talk to you and I would like to connect with you again sometime” to signal that the conversation is coming to a close. Then properly exchange cards (you do have a card don’t you??) and move on to the next person.

To make the most of an event and get as many quality connections as possible you should spend no more than 5 minutes with each person. Remember, not everyone is going to be someone you want to stay in touch with. Don’t wast time.

4. Wearing a Frown

Between conversations with people (and during) pay attention to your body language! Maybe you’re tired and had a long day, but whatever you do don’t show it. You know people find people who are smiling approachable right? And that the opposite is true? So take heed- have a natural grin on your face as you make your way to someone, or the the hours’derves, or the bar as they case may be. Nuff said!

5. Always, always, ALWAYS follow-up

So many people screw this one up. How hard is it to give someone a phone call or send an email saying “it was nice to meet you”? Not very. But it’s so seldom done. I’ve been to many events and 90% of the time I follow up first. Of course, maybe the other person hadn’t gotten around to it yet. Which brings up another point: you should follow up within 24 hours.

As to whether to call or write an email- it depends. If you met someone who would be a great mentor and/or has experience in something that you really want to get into, call them. If they weren’t but seemed to be well connected or just well experienced and interesting, send an email. In the first case your goal is to set up a time to meet with them face to face. In the second you are being courtaeous and keeping the option open.

Connecting with them on LinkedIn should be your next step.

By the way, if they were just giving you a pitch the whole time you talked, don’t bother follwing up. Don’t even keep their card. Throw it away at the event. Heck, I’ve done it.

The goal of networking is not to broadcast your goods or services but to make real connections with real human beings and to offer each other value.

Have any tips to share or funny experiences? Let me know by leaving a comment below

And if you found this to be value to you, be sure to share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Networking!