The current economic downturn has begun to impact all industries, including healthcare. Have you developed the career survival skills that will help you weather the storm?
According to a May 2001, report by the Labor Department, the U.S. economy lost jobs at a faster rate than at any other time in the last ten years. Not since the outset of Desert Storm in 1991 have so many companies been forced to trim their payrolls of blue-collar, professional, and managerial employees. These include healthcare organizations of all sizes, including many web-based firms.
One thing is clear. When companies are forced to reduce their permanent staff, serious consideration is given to determine who is most—and least—dispensable. Employees that are deemed most valuable are judged to be consistently productive, able to get along well with others, and generally considered an important asset to the organization.
How are you viewed in this regard? If you are uncertain about your standing in the organization, it behooves you take measures to improve your daily performance and workplace relationships. Here are some practical ways to achieve that objective and hone your “career survival skills.”
Have a “will-do” attitude. We’ve all heard about the importance of having a “can-do” attitude. The truth is, just because individuals can do something doesn’t mean that they will follow through in doing what they have the capability to perform. Simply put, there should be no gap between ability to do and enthusiasm to get it done. Having a “will-do” attitude means not making convenient excuses for doing what is expected, but doing as much as possible to accomplish the mission of the organization.
Be flexible and adaptable. As healthcare organizations adapt to the changing focus of the New Economy, only those who are willing to adapt and be flexible will be a “survivor.” Rather than cling to a given job title and comfortable job duties, be open-minded about learning new things and taking on additional responsibilities. In practical terms, be willing to cross-train and fit in wherever you are needed. If you have a good work history, the company will try to fit you in somewhere in the organization should staffing changes become mandatory.
Mend broken fences. Hiring and firing issues are not devoid of “political” considerations. All too often company politics play a greater hand in employment matters than most HR officials would care to admit. Employees who are pleasant to work with and generally well-liked have a greater chance to survive staff cuts than those who are viewed as difficult to work or have “quirky” personalities. Think about your workplace relationships. Are there any fences you need to mend with co-workers in your department or elsewhere in the company? One thing is for sure: In uncertain economic times, you need to surround yourself with workplace friends and supporters, not enemies.
Always learn something new. No matter how well you perform your job duties, there are ways to do any job better. After all, how well you performed your responsibilities five years ago doesn’t really count now. As time and opportunities permit, look for ways to better yourself professionally. Stay on the cutting edge of industry knowledge by attending in-service training, seminars, workshops and professional conferences. Volunteer to participate in projects that expand your knowledge base. Similarly, learn from everyone around you. By helping to make their job easier, you develop skill sets that will increase your overall value to the organization.
Show initiative in ways that benefit the organization. Companies value employees who contribute creative ideas and solutions to problems that beset the organization. Do you have some good ideas on the back burner? If so, put them in the microwave and see what develops. In other words, don’t hesitate to make constructive suggestions that benefit the company. Such initiative shows that you are resourceful and have the best interests of the company at heart.
Give your boss good reason to retain your services. Face the facts: Unless you own the company, you are not indispensable. On the other hand, you can increase your perceived worth to the organization by distinguishing yourself as a model employee, someone that everyone can look up to and respect for exceptional job performance.
Keep your networking “net” in good condition. None of us has a crystal ball to be able to predict the future. Many healthcare companies that flourished in the 80’s and 90’s are in dire financial straits today. Consequently, employees who once believed that they were well situated because of their longevity on the job now realize that their positions are not so secure. Regardless of your tenure with your present employer, it’s smart to continually network with fellow professionals outside the company. They are aware of hiring trends at their places of employment. By staying in contact with them, you can stay on their referral “radar screen” whenever outstanding employment opportunities arise. Furthermore, should you become a victim of downsizing, you will have already established a network of influential persons to source for job leads.
“Survival of the fittest” is one of the first laws of nature. This applies to one’s occupational future as much as to one’s physical health and well-being. By following the steps outlined above, you increase the odds of weathering the storm whenever the economic forecast gives warning of danger on the horizon.
