The time is no longer for long tenures, and the people you know who have only had one or maybe two jobs in their career are probably older than 50 years. They entered the labor market at a time when people were loyal to the company and where hard work and fulfillment of duty created a secure career and an advantageous pension. They have been in the same place for 20, 30 maybe 40 years, and never looked around for other or better opportunities. Nor have they had the same insecurity in their jobs and feared layoffs to the same extent as many experience today.
Today the world is different and as a result of globalization, outsourcing, economic decline and downsizing, the same job security is a thing of the past. Those who have started on the labor market within the last five years will probably have more than 10 different jobs in their active career. The lack of job security that comes with this development is likely to be experienced by everyone at some point. And when uncertainty is a condition you work under, it is important to learn to live with it and still be happy with your work.
In this theme, we focus on how you can learn to gain control over the uncertainty in the job, so that you can be happy with your work and avoid stress due to worries. If you are the manager of a company with vulnerable employees, you can teach them to use the methods so that they find peace in the uncertainty.
The first step is to learn how to deal with the psychological pressure and stress that job insecurity can cause. Not everyone reacts to uncertainty in the same way, and therefore there is no single solution on how to tackle it. There are many factors that come into play, e.g. your financial situation, - perhaps you are dependent on your income, and therefore you are extra affected by the uncertainty of the job. Your ability and willingness to be ready for change also plays a role in whether you can adapt to restructuring in the company - perhaps you will be given new or fewer tasks, other colleagues or be moved to another department. So in order to meet the uncertainty, you have to be ready for change and be able to see the joy of change.
Also learn to deal with the stress that uncertainty brings. Worrying about losing your job can be more stressful than actually losing it. So let go of your worries and be happy that you have a job and maybe even one that you really enjoy. Positive thoughts kill negative ones, but it takes effort.
Tip: read about positive psychology and how to learn to think positively here >
The next step is to be prepared. You can't predict what the future holds, but if you're well prepared for the changes inherent in job security, you can reduce your worries as long as you've done everything you could.
Look at the possibilities of a job change rather than the limitations
The saying; when one door closes another opens is a good rule of thumb to use when worries are overwhelming.
When you focus and are good at putting into words your skills and what makes you a good employee, you will stand strong against a new employer. Therefore, it is important that you always ensure that you are up-to-date with your skills. Technical skills in particular develop quickly, and it is important to be on board with the latest updates and systems. But if you can no longer sell yourself on your technical skills, it's just as important to develop your non-technical skills and find out what you're good at too. Look through your CV and find a new focus in the tasks you have previously completed.
Stress can make you feel like you're losing control. Remind yourself that you are in control of your life. This can help to reduce uncertainty. You can also take control yourself by looking at the opportunities that may be available to you internally in the organisation. Get to know other departments, because perhaps your skills can be used elsewhere in the organization. A proactive behavior helps to reduce stress.
If you are part of a team or lead a team of employees who are affected by uncertainty, it is a good idea to let them talk about it. Say it like it is - why you are worried and what it does to you. An open talk about it can have a calming effect, and the worries don't seem so big when they are said out loud. But always remember that concerns must not set the agenda in the group. You have to find a balance, and you can use your worries to find new ways forward together.
If you are in an insecure job, you must ensure that you are constantly adding value to the company. Be open and positive rather than complaining. You have to make an extra effort if you want to keep your job. Show that you love your job through profit, commitment and helpfulness. Show that you are passionate about your tasks, the products you sell, or your colleagues. This commitment helps you stand out from the crowd.
You can also show commitment by constantly being up-to-date in relation to trends in the industry and in the company's development. Stay up-to-date on the latest initiatives, courses and training opportunities within your profession or industry. In this way, you show interest in the company in a good way, which can help to strengthen growth.
Also think about courses or educations that can strengthen you in any job. This could be, for example, management techniques, efficiency improvement methods, administration, project management or the like.
Many people do not like to talk about themselves - let alone praise themselves or "brag" about the things they can do or the things they have accomplished. But if you turn it around and imagine that your boss doesn't know how good you really are or how much experience you have in a certain area, he can only find out if you tell him.
That is why it is also important to keep your CV up-to-date at all times, so that you can share it in your network or when the opportunity randomly presents itself. A well-formulated CV is important, and when you continuously work on it, you also avoid having to do it at the last minute and risk making mistakes.
All in all, it's about taking control of the situation and being well prepared. When you have done everything you could to accommodate the uncertainty and prepare for a possible layoff, you can find peace in it and avoid stress and negative thoughts. Look at the changes with joy and don't be afraid to try something new.
Source: www.mindtools.com
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