Three Things That Make an Employee Essential
Avoid Layoff Worries by Taking Steps to Become Essential
Apr 1, 2009
Many are asking how safe their jobs are these days.. The answer lies in how valuable the employer perceives the employee to be. Achieving preferred status with an employer involves excellence at work, a personal connection with the employer and sharing personal goals in an appropriate manner with the employer.
Opportunities arise every day to make unique connections with employers. Aim to make them both professionally and personally. The more the employer values the employee as a person, the less likely they are to eliminate the position .
Beyond Stellar Job Performance
Most workers are very good at their jobs. They wouldn't have been hired or retained if he or she weren't a professional. However, one must make an ongoing impression with one's work if one is going to continue to stand out in the crowd. A few simple tips to show employers one's willingness to go beyond the standards of acceptable performance to job excellence:
- Arrive five minutes early and stay five minutes late. Chances are, the employer will think the employee has been their much longer than five minutes.
- Pick up the higher profile assignments. Urgent usually equals high profile so take things on as soon as there is a demand.
- Find legitimate reasons to meet with the boss. Ask important questions to help further project and gain the extra bonus of face time.
Personal Connections With An Employer
At work, first and foremost a boss is a boss. However, he or she is still human with human interests. It will help to make a personal connection with the boss if possible. Remember the following opportunities:
- Participate in non-work events. Whether the boss has a drink after work or plays on the softball team, joining him or her and take the talk off of current work matters will expand connections.
- Ask how the boss' family is doing or notice something he or she has in the office on display and asking about it is important. Relate a sincere personal statement about interest in the same.
- Ask the boss how his or her day is going. It's seems simple, but it triggers an emotional connection to solicit personal information, even simple examples.
Appearing Human to The Boss
The once cold corporate culture where greed and performance were the only tenants that mattered is passing. Today, companies have become involved in employee's personal lives with benefits from day care to personal health days. Take advantage of this climate to let the boss get to know more than work habits.
- Display a different picture or item on a desk or in a cubicle and draw the boss' attention to it.
- When appropriate, ask the boss' opinion on a light personal matter. If both boss and employee are parents, seek a discipline tip from them. Remember not to go too deeply, though.
- Share concerns or points of view on a different company's struggles. Relate how these impact the company. Again, be wary of being overly personal.
In hard economic times, it's not enough to simply do a good job. One must find ways to stand out in performance and to make personal connections. While one does not want to tell a life story, one does want to find ways of making meaningful impressions with employer. Following these tips can keep the hatchet from falling on positions when job cuts happen.
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