After 15 years with the same company, a friend of mine is worried about losing her job.? She?s been promoted several times within the organization.? But now, the company has a new management team and she?s worried she?ll be cut.
?What are your strengths?? I ask.
She hesitated and then said, ?I?ve been with the company a long time, people like me, and my department does what we?re told.?
?What are your weaknesses?? I responded.
This response came much faster. ?I?ve been with the company for so long that my salary is probably higher than it should be for the position.? I got along with the old bosses and they liked me and my work.? Now they?re gone.? The news guys want new ideas.?
?What have you done to develop yourself professionally in the past year?? I ask.
?I used to go to some conferences but the company?s budget for that got cut a few years back.? I really haven?t been able to keep up with how technology and the Internet have changed things,? she said.
I didn?t want to appear heartless but I had not choice but to say, ?It sounds like you?ve made it really easy for them to fire you.? You?ve told me that you?re overpaid, don?t like new ideas, and haven?t done anything to improve yourself professionally.?
In today?s economy, you can?t rely on your employer to take care of your professional development. Odds are that there is someone out there who is younger, cheaper, and more up to date than you.? Your advantage is your experience but only if it is supplemented by additional learning.
Yes, this is an extra expense and it would probably be a lot more fun to spend your free time watching Dancing with the Stars.? But by improving yourself today, you?ve gained an edge in your organization.? Worse comes to worse, if you?re fired, you?ll hit the unemployment line with up to date and marketable skills.
In a world of mergers and downsizing, tenure is no longer a a guarantee of future employment.? Successful employees must take an active role in making themselves appear irresistible to management. ?Or you could do nothing and hope for the best…
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