In an increasingly competitive workplace environment, it is more important than ever to guard yourself and your work carefully to prevent job termination. Whether it is from layoffs, cutbacks or just because you aren't performing as well as you should, a job termination can often blindside you. Taking steps ahead of time to ensure your job is secure and that you are making a worthwhile contribution to your company can help you avoid termination in even the worst of times.
Step 1
Ask your supervisor for a job evaluation. Not only does it show that you are taking initiative in your job, but you can honestly glean helpful tips from your supervisor on how to improve. Ask questions about things he'd like to see you improve on, and which areas where he believes you are a valuable employee. Financial website Kiplinger.com also recommends you ask co-workers for similar feedback. Take their advice and apply it to show that you are following instructions.
Step 2
Funnel your focus on important projects. While some will tell you that multitasking is helpful on the job, showing your boss that you can prioritize and take care of larger accounts or tasks shows him you are a valuable employee. It also demonstrates the responsibility you can take on successfully. For instance, if he asks you to complete a task, ask him if you should give it top priority over another one.
Step 3
Understand your boss or supervisor's philosophy, and adopt it as your own. If she values teamwork over all other workplace qualities, then focus on working toward a common goal. If she appreciates when she is asked questions about projects, always prepare yourself with some before a meeting. This will help her stand up and take notice of an employee with the same values as her--one that she is less likely to terminate.
Step 4
Become an indispensable part of your company. When an opportunity arises to learn a new protocol or software, learn it if you can. Knowing something extra or being able to complete a task that no one else understand keeps your job safe, especially if it is a technical task that would be hard to train others to do.
Step 5
Take on extra work when it's offered. Making sure your employers see that you are a good investment when it comes to your wages vs. your output is an imperative step to avoiding termination. If your supervisor understands that he is getting a "good deal" by keeping you on, your job will stay safe and secure.
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