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A friend of mine recently told me she was laid off. She seemed surprised but I wasn’t. Not that she was a bad employee, but because she worked for a home products company. With the dramatic drop in home sales and the shrinking of the credit markets providing home equity loans, it was just a matter of time before companies selling home products and services would see a drop in their business as well.
I had nudged her to look for a new job last year when the economy and especially the job market were still in good shape. Instead she chose to take a wait and see approach.
You can take a wait and see approach with your weekend dinner plans, but you can’t take a wait and see approach with your job. You have to be constantly looking. Even if you are not looking for another job, you need to be looking at your current job. How is your industry? Is it growing or shrinking? If you aren’t sure, then you probably can’t be sure of having a job.
It’s not just your job performance that matters. The performance of your department, company and industry can all influence your job, so it literally pays to pay attention to any changes. In my friend’s case, if she had been paying attention to the trouble in her industry or even her company she could have seen the signs that her job was in trouble.
It’s always easier and wiser to look for a job when you still have a job. Here’s a few reasons why:
- 1. You are more likely to find a better job. When you are employed you have a clearer perspective and can evaluate potential offers based on their merits not on when you get your first paycheck.
- 2. You are less likely to make any rash decisions simply because your rent is due and you need a job.
- 3. You will be more successful at interviews. You can concentrate on explaining your skills and experience instead of explaining why you are currently unemployed. Not to mention how much more confident you will portray yourself.
- 4. Most importantly, you will be more successful at negotiating your job offer since your future employer knows you don’t need the job.
I know sometimes being laid off can be a total surprise, but generally there are signs. You just have to look for them.
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