(Akiit.com) Job security is the holy grail of the modern workplace, but one that is increasingly difficult to find. This is rather troubling, given the difference that firm job security can have on our lives.
When we are in a secure job, where we feel valued, we are able to expand our horizons. We can think and plan for the future, because we know there’s going to be a future. We can manage our finances because we know our wage is not going to vanish overnight; we can work harder at a job that we know is going to reward our dedication.
Nevertheless, if the post-recession years have taught us anything, it’s that job security is incredibly difficult to find. If you want to be able to rely on your place in the workplace, the tips below may help you do just that.
#1 – Pick the right industry
Few industries are too big to fail, meaning that there is no such thing as a ‘sure’ industry anymore– one that is guaranteed to last. However, there’s no doubt that there are some industries which have a much higher chance of continuing to exist in the future, helping to provide extra job security for those who work in these sectors.
There is no doubt that tech is the way of the future. From the ‘internet of things’ through to the automation that threatens to revolutionize jobs in this country, technology will be one of the driving forces of the future jobs market. If you are considering a career change, then moving into a tech-based industry is the soundest thing you can do for your job security prospects.
Healthcare
While healthcare has been the subject of much political turmoil, there is the underlying fact behind this: healthcare is necessary. If it wasn’t, the debates and arguments about how healthcare should be provided wouldn’t exist. Necessary industries will always have a role to play in the future, so aiming your career in this direction could be hugely beneficial to you.
Finance
Finally, the importance of finance to the economy cannot be underestimated. This is an industry that genuinely was too big to fail, so it’s safe to say that it’s an industry that will be protected in the future. Finance is a tough slog and known to be hard work, but if job security is one of your foremost concerns when job hunting, it’s an industry you’re not going to want to overlook.
If you target your career in the right direction, you will have a better chance of obtaining the job security that you have been searching for. The industries above are all good bets for the future, helping to secure your future too.
#2 – Continue to learn
One thing that all bosses want to see is their employees continuing to develop their professional skills. It’s one thing to find a job, but it’s quite another to keep it. If you can become known as a worker who is always seeking to improve their worth to the company, then you’re going to make yourself worth keeping around.
The way you can do this is very dependant on the industry that you work in. If you work in healthcare, then choosing to undertake a healthcare administration MBA shows that you have a great aptitude for deepening your knowledge of the subject. In more technical jobs where qualifications are not quite as important as experience, you can ask your supervisor to delegate different tasks to you, or always take the time to volunteer for any new projects. Essentially, you want to pursue anything that shows you in a positive light, and makes it clear to your employers that you don’t consider your job a ‘done deal’– you’re willing to keep learning to ensure that your employer is getting value for money.
#3 – Scrutinize your contract
There is no such thing as a standard employment contract. Every companies, from small local businesses through to multinational corporations, writes their own version of the contract that all employees have to sign.
Many of us sign contracts without truly looking at what we’re signing up for; a lifetime of ticking ‘yes’ to terms and conditions boxes means most of us are well used to signing things without reading them– even if we know we shouldn’t. It’s important you try to break this habit before you sign an employment contract, as you need to know just how easy it is for your boss to fire you.
Ideally, you want to see reference to some kind of warning system. These systems mean that you will be issued with verbal, and then written, warnings prior to being dismissed from your job. This gives you a chance to improve whatever the issue is, rather than being fired on the spot. This helps to generate a decent level of job security, as you can be sure that you will have time to prepare if you ever find yourself facing dismissal.
Additionally, read through the clauses in your employment contract regarding what happens if the business you are working for fails. Will you be entitled to anything? Is there redundancy money? How is this accounted for and provided? These are all things that you’re going to need to know.
#4 – Learn About The Company
It’s important to try and keep an eye on how the company you are working for is performing. Check public accounts and monitor stock levels; if there is a sign that there is trouble brewing, you may want to consider your options regarding your future.
The same is true if you are considering accepting a job position; check the public filings and ensure that the company is in fine health before you sign.
If you skip this step, you may miss the signs the company you are working for is liable to fold. If/when it does fold, your job will go with it, and you won’t have had the chance to prepare for this eventuality.
In Conclusion
Achieving good job security is essentially about perfecting the way you apply for, and work in, relevant occupations. There is no way of knowing for sure how secure a job is going to be. However, if you follow the steps above, you should have better luck in finding — and keeping — a job that suits your needs.
Staff Writer; Laura Poole
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