Recession-proof your job

By Karen Salmansohn | Special to amNewYork

May 12, 2008

Considering our country's current unemployment rates --March marked the largest drop in jobs in five years -- it's inevitable that workers feel nervous about job security. Perhaps you are also worried about becoming a grim employment statistic. Steven M. R. Covey, career guru and author of "The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything," outlines eight ways to recession-proof your job. The trick? Make yourself indispensable.

Give it straight

Though the truth can sometimes prove painful, people respect it, especially when it comes to business. Because things today move at such a fast pace, there's no time to beat around the bush. If you want to garner respect, give straight answers to tough questions.

Show some respect

Even more important than being honest is being considerate, which includes giving credit where credit's due. No one wants to do business with a rude, demeaning or discourteous person. If you're not genuine, it won't take long for your co-workers to see through your acti.

Wise up

Understand that everyone makes mistakes. Though accuracy is an important trait, even more important is how you react in what should be the rare circumstance when you do mess up. The best course of action is to acknowledge your shortcomings. Then, get to work to improve yourself. Your goal: Make new mistakes, instead of repeating the old ones.

Be timely

Set realistic expectations, meet them and follow through with them. The most solid kind of trust lies in results.

Improve constantly

You should never settle for a job well done. Always be asking yourself what you can do to improve on your next project -- even if you did fabulously on your last project. It's not enough to give 100%. You must get known in your industry as a person who gives more.

Be realistic

Pin down expectations and make them widely known. Being upfront and realistic about your goals is a refreshing relief to the double-talk and empty promises that tend to flood a workplace.

Listen carefully

Listening is an art that must be mastered in order to truly understand what is expected of you. Let things that people say sink in before you take action. By getting known as a good listener, people will trust that you know what they want.

Stick to your promises

Trust is based on commitment. If you always follow through with your promises, you will be recognized as a solid, sturdy employee, one impossible to fire.

In short, you must make yourself and your position crucial to the success of your company. To do this, it is important that you highlight your natural skills, always improve and build relationships with your coworkers that solidify your role in the office.

Karen Salmansohn is a best-selling author with over one-million books sold. For more information, visit www.notsalmonlcom.