Becoming a value-added employee boosts job security - Business & Finance

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), March, 2003 by Larry S. Beck

ECONOMISTS CLAIM the recession is over; politicians take credit for its demise; financial planners urge caution; consumers believe little of it; and workers continue to eye their job security with skepticism. Has the post-Sept. 11 recession finally ended, or are we simply experiencing a short resurgence of guarded consumer confidence?

The Milken Institute, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based economic think tank, issued a report predicting that more than 1,600,000 jobs would be lost by the end of 2002 as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. According to the report, 760,000 job losses would be directly attributed to the attacks. The rest would result from the "ripple" effect as organizations adjust their bottom lines to accommodate economic conditions. Beyond the expected cuts in travel and tourism, downsizing also was expected across all segments of the economy.

In April, 2002, the Federal Reserve issued its spring report to Congress' Joint Economic Committee, noting that regional economic conditions were improving. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan was cautiously optimistic, citing Mideast tensions and rising oil prices as possible complications to the nation's economic recovery. Nevertheless, workers are still warily eyeing their futures.

Younger workers seem to be carrying the brunt of the recessionary layoff fever. In January, 2002, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that workers aged 16 to 24 represented just 16% of the labor force, yet accounted for one-third of those unemployed. News for graduates on college campuses hasn't been much better. Hiring through college career centers dropped 36% during the 2001-02 academic year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Graduates trying to enter the labor market have had to be more assertive and flexible in their job searches, some taking their second or third choice in employment options.

The current state of the economy, the lingering recession, and the evaporating image of long-term employment security are topics firmly entrenched in many workers' daily conversations and business transactions. Those who do have jobs wonder what is on the horizon for their own positions and future career stability.

For workers with the entrepreneurial spirit, now may be a time for change, seeking out new challenges and opportunities in an economy in flux. Success stories abound about risk-takers who have prospered in times of chaos or challenge.

For those with job security paramount in their career strategies, now may be the time to sit tight and see what the near future brings. The good news is that there are specific ways for workers seeking a sense of employment security to increase their value to their current employer. When it comes to the bottom line, most companies appreciate employees who can provide value-added functions within the organization and demonstrate a can-do attitude among their peers.

While there are admittedly few guarantees in the world of work, becoming more proactive can enhance employees' viability in their present positions while decreasing the chances they will be viewed as an impediment to the organization's growth and survival. The more workers contribute and the more functions they can perform, the more valuable they become to the bottom line and, subsequently, the harder it is for the organization to do without them.

Increasing your value

If you find yourself facing an uncertain workplace, here are 10 ways you can increase your value to your current employer as well as enhance your visibility with superiors and coworkers:

1 Look for ways to demonstrate the value you bring to the organization. More than ever before, workers are expected to show the need they fulfill within their organizations. Without becoming a braggart, you should be assertive in documenting the accomplishments you have made and communicate these on a regular basis to your boss. No matter who your customers, clients, or students may be, showing that you have made a positive difference on the bottom line increases your status as an indispensable employee. Record your work accomplishments and successes in a personal achievement journal and share your progress with your supervisor through update meetings, e-mails, or written notes, and especially discuss these at performance appraisal time. Strive to exceed the expectations your employer has for you and your job function.

2 Volunteer for leadership opportunities. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, business consultants and management experts admonished managers to emphasize leadership skills over more-traditional management models in the ways they supervised and motivated workers. One of the many positive benefits of this trend is that most employers today recognize that truly anyone can be a leader within the organization. Even if you don't hold a management niche on the organizational chart, you can find many opportunities to apply your knowledge and expertise to problems or challenges. Be sure to volunteer to chair task forces or work groups, offer suggestions for improved customer service, and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the organization's business needs.