Stay hired. Don’t get fired!
By Fiona Wainrit
Career Coach Fiona Wainrit puts a cheeky spin on a serious subject – staying relevant in a climate where many people are losing their jobs.
As they say, many a truth is said in jest. CareerOne particularly enjoyed the tips from George Constanza of Seinfeld on how to look busy at work courtesy of the video link.
Fiona writes:
Whether it’s called ‘re-designing’, ‘restructuring’, or ‘re-sizing’, fact is Australia has experienced a recent wave of retrenchments and there are more to come. How do you hold onto your job when everyone else is getting retrenched? Try my five tips and share yours on CareerOne’s Facebook page.
1. Look busy
Think about the ‘Penske file’ on Seinfeld; where George carries this file with him everywhere, sleeps under his desk and basically looks annoyed and frustrated all the time to signal how flat out he is. Watch him in action in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4S8rQaOupU&feature=related
A friend in finance noticed the workload drying up before his contract had finished. He wasn’t ready to leave so in order to look busy, he’d walk around the office talking in a stressed out tone on his mobile. He also had a whole bunch of files open on his desk and on his computer so that when someone walked past, he appeared to be over-loaded with work. In reality, he “worked” on the same excel spreadsheet for a month, adding in bogus data and simply shifting a single cell up and down each day. No one caught on.
Perhaps you don’t need to go to such extreme lengths to look busy. Finding real things to do to stay busy would take less effort than trying to fake it. Take the opportunity to clean your desk, get your files in order, touch base with contacts and clients, discuss future projects, see if colleagues need a hand or ask for additional work. Never let anyone see you on Facebook or Twitter. Step outside and use your mobile to update social media.
2. First in, last out
Get into work early. Beat the boss, the IT pros and that finance person who commutes from far away so he/she can leave by 5pm. Once a week wear the same clothes you had on the day before, rustle up your hair and don’t shave. Actually the shaving part only works for guys. This will give the impression you have pulled an all-nighter at the office. Also, be one of the last to leave. Wait until the important people have gone before you head for home.
Ok, so I may have embellished a little here but the element of truth is “be visible”. Definitely do not be a clock watcher.
3. Get chummy with HR
I’ve witnessed colleagues “getting in” with HR for their own selfish reasons and personal gain. They would often have coffee with HR and go for lunches and express how much they ‘loved their job’, whilst dropping subtle hints about workers not pulling their weight. HR love having their ego stroked and being in the know.
On the flip side, doing a great job, being positive and enthusiastic, showing a genuine interest in the company and its culture will score real points with HR.
4. Be a “Yes” person
One of the best ways to keep your job is to volunteer for new initiatives. Offer to help with projects, take on more responsibility and take part or even run the social committee. Put your hand up to perform the tough tasks no one else wants.
5. Be a ray of sunshine
In a tense work environment, where people are over-worked and stressed out, be the positive one others like to be around. When co-workers bitch and moan, listen but never complain, save this for your partner or friends. I live by the motto, “strength in times of adversity”. We learn the most from the tough times. Building resilience during demanding work circumstances will make you more able to manage other life challenges.
I would also advise developing a unique personal brand and even a niche skill set that would add value to your organisation.
When in doubt, think of George Costanza working the ‘Penske file’.
To contact Fiona at Finetuned Coaching go to [email protected]
