Posted by Brian McCullough
We’ve spoken in the past about strategies you can employ to anticipate and avoid layoffs.
But what happens if you survive a round of layoffs? What should you do if you look around and you’re one of the last men standing?
Here are some quick tips:
Figure Out The Company Game Plan, and Get On Board
If you’ve just survived a round of layoffs, that can only mean your company is in tough times. Chances are there is a turnaround plan in place, designed to get your corporate ship sailing again. Learn the plan. Be the plan. Position yourself organizationally and politically to be a key team member, implementing this plan. A good way to ensure your continued employment is to make yourself an invaluable part of the turnaround.
Make a Game Plan
If you find yourself in a position where the future is unclear, then make a game plan for yourself. Don’t wait for corporate to get their act together. You need to plan for your own future. Figure out the conditions you’re willing to continue under and which things might make you jump ship. Don’t be shy. Go to your boss and ask them how they see the future working out.
Choose a Patron
Is there a new regime in town? A new boss? A turnaround artist? Waste no time getting in the good graces of your new corporate overlords. But choose wisely! Turnaround plans can come and go like the wind, especially if your company is flailing around, looking for direction. Don’t tie yourself too closely to a wobbly new regime. You want to be with the winners, long term.
Take Advantage of Everyone Else’s Misfortune
Look. You’re a survivor. This is no time for sentimentality. There’s no better time to rise up and advance your career than after a bloodletting. You can take on tasks, fill the shoes of the recently departed, and generally consolidate your career position. Be ruthless and deliver results so the company will be glad they kept you around.
Don’t Get Smug
So you survived one round of layoffs. That doesn’t mean more rounds are impossible. Keep your eyes and your options open. Keep strong contacts with your existing network. And just as importantly:
Keep In Touch With Co-Workers Who Have Been Laid Off
As your former cubicle-mates scatter to the wind, one by one they’ll find dry land with other companies and jobs. If you stay in touch and in their good graces, they could be there to throw you a lifeline if you yourself need a new job in the coming months.
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