Jobs in Jeopardy: TheLadders.com Checklist for At-Risk Executives
Executive Jobs Website Maps Out Warning Signs and Offers Tips on How to Protect Your Career in Turbulent Times
NEW YORK (October 28, 2008) - U.S. employers cut 159,000 jobs in September amidst widespread projections for more belt-tightening throughout the remainder of 2008. Is your job safe? Culling advice from the world's top executive recruiters and career coaches, along with the real world experiences of executive-level job seekers nationwide, TheLadders.com, the world's leading online platform for $100k+ jobs, has assembled a checklist for high-level workers feeling threatened by the current market.
Spotlighting the telltale warning signs and offering proactive advice on how executive-level workers can protect their positions, TheLadders.com checklist is designed to help at-risk workers navigate the most common pitfalls in periods of corporate cut-backs.
| WARNING SIGNS | BEST DEFENSE | WHAT NOT TO DO |
|---|---|---|
| You're not invited: You are closed out of staff meetings or omitted from mass distribution meeting requests and e-mails. | BE VISIBLE: An omission can be an honest mistake or a warning sign; address it immediately. Make sure your boss and colleagues know the value you bring to the team. | DO NOT HIDE: There is a temptation to lay low until the storm passes; that is a mistake. If you are dispensable at a meeting, you are even more dispensable as an anonymous line item on a budget. |
| Your job description shrinks: Your workload is diminishing; key tasks are being transitioned to other employees. | STEP UP YOUR GAME: Become a utility player that can step into any job and help the company move forward. Attend voluntary meetings and corporate outings and make your presence felt. | DO NOT SIT ON THE SIDELINES: If your responsibilities seem to be waning, you cannot afford to be idle until you get new ones; this is a time to be proactive. |
| You can't get anything done: Planned projects are put on hold; your priorities don't match up with the company's goals. | DO SOMETHING: Check in with your boss; keep the lines of communication open. If your big project is put on hold, find something else to do. Show that you are willing to adapt and accept new responsibilities. | DO NOT WAIT: Your project may never get back on track; digging in and waiting for a brighter day isn't an option. |
| You have a new boss: Your company brought in a new boss for your department as part of a merger or reorganization. | BE SUPPORTIVE: A new boss can be a sign of expansion or a sign of contraction, depending upon the premise on which they are retained. The best leaders cannot function effectively without a strong supporting cast. Become vital to your new boss' success and you become essential. | DO NOT PLAY POLITICS: Entrenched, long-time employees often fall victim to office politics. Don't be a roadblock to progress. If you have a new boss, it's unlikely that you will be able to stage a successful coup in the current environment. |
| Your company is not doing well financially: Sales projections, earnings and other indicators of financial strength are all in the red. | BE READY FOR ANYTHING: Despite best efforts, you might not be able to avoid a mass layoff. Be ready to take action: get your resume ready; update your network; stay involved in professional organizations; and take the pulse of the job market in your industry. | DO NOT BURY YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND: You need to read the writing on the wall and heed the counsel of trusted individuals who have more visibility than you do. In certain industries, job hunts can take anywhere from 3 months to a year; you need to be prepared for this eventuality before it is a reality. |
"When panic sets in concerning job stability, many employees act too quickly and make crucial career mistakes," said Marc Cenedella, president and CEO of TheLadders.com. "It's important to keep a clear head and always keep all of your options open. Talk to your boss; take on responsibilities that reiterate your worth within the company and put in face time with your network. Don't throw in the towel when things get tough - even during hard times managers need key players on their team."