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Oct 10, 2008 9:13 pm US/Eastern
Economic Stress: Learn How To Bulletproof Your Job
Career Coaches Say There Are Lots Of Steps You Can Take To Make Your Office Value Increase
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBS) ―
The financial crisis has prompted massive job cuts on Wall Street, and across the economic spectrum firms large and small are considering layoffs.
So what can you do to help "bulletproof" your job to avoid losing it?
CBS 2 HD spoke to some experts.
On the streets of White Plains and in offices across the tri-state workers are worried -- and career coaches are busy.
"The economy as a whole, it's very scary," one woman said.
"There's cutbacks and layoffs all the time," a man added.
Maureen Morris of Success Image Career Center said the fear is justified.
"Everybody who comes into this office is panicked, or nervous or has some sort of anxiety," Morris said.
At Success Image Career Center the counselors' first piece of advice is always the same -- relax!
"We need uplifting!" Morris said.
Morris said a positive attitude is the first step towards "bulletproofing" your job. She said people need to "stay positive" and "look for ways to make yourself valuable."
"Big ideas are great, but small ideas to improve the bottom line will do," Morris added.
"Any kind of streamlining procedures, you know, small things … make a big difference at this time," said Success Image's Diane Spizzirro said.
The age old advice is learn from your failures, but these experts said you'll learn even more from your successes.
They say to start a "success stories" folder -- with letters and e-mails that chronicle your successes.
"The more concrete they are, the more we'll remember them," Morris said. "It's a great tool to show your boss or bring to a job interview."
"A lot of people are doing that telecommuting -- and not having that connection as much at the office," Spizzirro said.
So if you work from home some days consider if more trips to the office will improve your standing.
One worker CBS 2 HD spoke to said it all sounds like good advice.
"You gotta make sure that you're on top of things all the time," marketing manager Christopher Jackson said. "If I'm not on top I guarantee one of my colleagues is gonna be on top of it."
Just this week two firms with a presence in New York announced layoffs. Job cuts at Kraft Foods will affect workers in Tarrytown, while real estate giant CB Richard Ellis announced layoffs at a number of locations.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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