Keep your job: A 10-point survival guide

Well, Doris, not everybody has been granted his or her wish by getting laid off, to say the least — and plenty of people are working hard when they’re let go. But if you lost a job you didn’t like anyway, and you’ve ended up better off, then great! Good for you!

For those of you who are affected by the 2009 layoffs, cheer up! This is the time to remember how intolerable your dead-end job used to be. And how much you wished you didn’t have to go to work in the morning and that you were somewhere else when you got there. So now that you have been granted your wish, why are you feeling so miserable? Isn’t this what you have always wanted? If you’re suffering from the “Why me” syndrome, get over it! Why you? Because you have earned the privilege of getting paid the same salary without having to do any work for a while. This is the time to pick yourself up, and dust yourself off, and begin the work to rebuild yourself, like Obama saids.
And if you used this time wisely, you will end up on top. Take this to heart and hopefully it will bring you solace and inner peace like it did me.

In the past 30 days, my wife and I have been laid off. I was one of the 12,000 “surplused” by AT&T Mobility after closing the top two largest deals in my group valued at $3.5MM over their terms. Last year, a major account sales rep who finished in top five in the U.S. was laid off. She was given a stay of execution when somone apparently remembered that they cannot lay off a “Circle of Excellence” winner from the year before. Don’t expect these executive decisions to make sense. Finance and Operatioins decides cutting costs is needed, and H/R becomes the hatchet man. If you think this cannot happen to you, think again. My advice, look at ways to open your own business.

I’ve read through a number of posts here, and wish to comment:

1. There are a lot of very negative attitudes represented. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very disappointed with how things are going, and I have a great job. That said, if I lose it (which is very possible), it’s not going to change who I am, and what I know I’m capable of. I will succeed long run – and I’m 55 now, and seen a hell of a lot of situations that I could have made me just give up. To paraphrase Winston Churchill: “never give up, Never Give Up; NEVER GIVE UP.”

2. Annie’s comments are right on – but need to go further. You have to look in the mirror. Are you the “one” that people only tolerate because you’re a roadblock to the companies’ success – or are you the person who gets it done no matter what? If you’re the former, start packing.

3. Exercise/other ‘life’/family is what recharges your batteries. We’re in a period where hard – and more importantly, productive work (it’s not the same thing) is going to count more than ever. You need to spend the off time getting recharged. Quit watching TV – these guys get paid to provide the worst picture of everything!!

For a lot of people that have posted so far – you really need to look in the mirror. If you were doing the hiring, would you hire you – or someone else? You can only know that in your heart. If the answer is “I’d hire someone else” – then you have personal work to do.

Never forget that employers owe you only a paycheck for work performed – but that’s all you owe them as well. Hopefully, at the end of each day, you and the employer are even. If you want a better life, use your brain and go get it.

One thing to consider amidst the gloom and doom that you hear every day: The lead edge of the Baby Boom Generation is now 63 years old. There will be large scale retirements in the next few years. There will be great jobs available. Will you be ready to take one of them???

Trust in God, nothing is possible without Him.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Somehow, someway, we all make it thru. It’s just a matter of time. As many grannies used to say:”This shall pass too”.

I survived the first round of layoffs, but I’m younger and know I may not survive the second round should it happen. This all makes for a very paranoid and anxious environment. On the lighter side, with job hours capped, I have finally regained the work life balance I have missed for the past two years. So despite the gloom, I finally have a life outside of work and noticed I am overall happier. Good luck to everyone out there.

A piece of advice for those faced with job loss in 2009…hope for the best and plan for the worst. Hopefully, your job will be secure in 2009, if not take the time now to do some soul searching. A layoff can be the best thing for many who struggle everyday in a job that they hate. Look at it as an opportunity to train for a new career that you will love. You may have to work more or longer hours but you’ll love every minute of it!!

I live by one rule when the new year hits – “do what you did last year, better this year” – there’s a reason I still have a job and there must be something I’m doing right, so I just have to do it better. There’s a lot of uncertainty and volatility in the market right now, but unless you’re planning on cashing your savings in the next 5 to 10 years you don’t have to worry!! I know, watching the news and the headlines doesn’t help…then don’t watch it!! It’s as simple as that. I’m 27, I have investments and savings and RRSPs and trust me it’s not easy to watch them lose value…BUT I also know that I can’t control it, so I decided to stick to my plan and keep on doing what I’ve been doing. If this makes you feel any better, at the start of this year I increased my contributions – RRSPs & Savings – by 25%!! That’s how confident I am that this downturn will bring about a “rebound” from which only the patient one will prosper. Also I agree with everything from the article, one main thing I’ve learned over the years is live on your needs and NOT your wants…living on our wants has gotten us to where we are!!! Few things I wanted to share …Keep smiling everyone, good times are around the corner …

2009 will be fantastic. 23009 will be fantastic. 2009 will be fantastic. 2009 will be fantastic. 2009 will be fantastic. 2009 will be fantastic. 2009 will be fantastic. There. I REALLY think that’s what America needs. A new attitude and positive thought. What if everyone just started particiapting in the recovery? What would happen then? It does just happen like that. Period.

Dear Annie: I’ve just finished reading a book, which is actually a true helping hand. “Money Drunk/ Money Sober: 90 days to Financial Freedom” by Mark Bryan and Julia Cameron. It points out false attitudes and different manners to dismantle one’s solvency creatively and suggests how to (re)gain control of one’s own finances. Having these tools (counting expenditures, searching for a new source for income and oth.), I try to stay calm and not to overemphasize the things happening abroad.

That means, I keep doing my morning warm-ups, exercise my voice (since I am to be a singer), eat with all the selfdiscipline that I need (which is essential after suffering from eating disorders for almost a decade) and share my anxiety, worries and accomplishments with my sister who doesn’t let any crisis come into her house.

Humans are complex and worthy creatures, and they have all they need to get such kind of changes through. In fact, they need them in order to wake up and rethink. What do we really need? What do we really want? Honestly, how do we feel? What do we really, trully love? Put monthly income concerns aside for a second, what are we living for? It makes sense for me to ask these questions each day in order to know my direction and to feel the sense of living and working on this planet. Indeed, it’s a nice place.

For this week, I use a motto: “Do The Next Right Thing”. Good luck for everyone! (-:

Don’t forget, we’re talking about temporary measures here — that is, ways to weather the current economic crisis and keep your job. Sacrificing work-life balance over the long run would indeed be a mistake, but in (what we hope is) a short-term situation, it might be necessary. Then again, maybe not. If you’re already indispensable to your employer, you don’t need to worry about it.

There seems to be a bit of contradiction in the advice of the executive coach’s tips. Tip # 7 says “For now, forget about work-life balance”. Then tip # 10 says to “Get enough sleep, eat right, and take time to work out a few times a week”. That would imply an essential balance.

As point # 10 explains, I am the “product”. I need to take care of myself first and forgetting about work-life balance is the worst advice I can think of. Our employer’s will not take care of us, so we need to take care of ourselves first. If we do not, we will end up not being of value to anyone and will probably end up losing our jobs because we bring no value. If that happens to a person that has been sacrificing health, family, etc. then they may not have a family to fall back on, will no longer have health insurance to take care of their poor health, etc.

We have to remember that we work to live. If we live to work, if that work goes away, what will we have then? Work is a means to an end, but if we are not careful it could lead to our end.

#1 – create successes. My #1 also, working out provides me personal challenges, goals, stress relief, health benefits, and noticeable results (all ASIDE from similar work items that you sometimes have no influence above). This doesn’t just apply to the gym; if you make it on time somewhere, catch a favorite show on tv, eat a favorite meal, talk to a friend on the phone – these are all simple successes.

As a whole, I put life into two categories – those who have to work, and those who don’t.
Very separate outcomes, goals, and attitudes for both. I believe this article portrays the former.

#7 FOR NOW, forget about work-life balance. The key here is FOR NOW. Again, more a concern for those who have to work. Prioritize what you need to do, what you want to do, and what you would like to do. Working for a living, OR raising a family for a living are very different circumstances. Choose your poison. Ultimately those who choose both of these will have to weigh heavier on the perks of their job (hours, benefits, telecommute, travel, learning).

Remember, this article is focused on those who are worried about losing jobs. It’s not intended to give pissed off, ungrateful employees an opt-out. Although it seems jaded, it has much truth to it. Take #2 of setting short-term goals – This give you an awesome perspective on where you stand in the company…If the Manager/Boss recognizes your willingness, records your initiatives, welcomes your opinions, and perpetuates your efforts, then you are more likely in a better position than co-workers. Sometimes doing a “great job, great effort” leaves you out to dry. You need to thoroughly understand what your department/company/boss does, and how to counteract their deficiencies effectively.

the only way to survive…..beleive in God and pray to him your needs…not wants. God is control of everybody and everything on the earth.

Every company has X amout of work to be done. It hires someone to do that work. If X requires work after hours, and you decide not to do it by turning off communications, the company will find someone that does the difference if they can afford it. It’s the workers that decide to work the extra hours based on fear, greed or ambition. Raises and promotions tend to be around 3-5%? but leaving and going to another company tends to be around 10-20%. DO NOT work extra hours if you are not learning something or meeting someone that you will be able to leverage to excel or obtain your next job. Your boss doesnt care about you. He will hang out out to dry to save himself. So will the corporation or business entity itself. You need to understand that you are a company as well and your employment is a contract where both parties need to be satisfied. If not they are not honoring thier contract with you and you will leave at the drop of a hat. You dont care if you havent secured future employment because you have kept your costs low and there are other forms of currency other than greenbacks.
If you have too many costs you are overleveraged for your financial position. Shame on you. Working your way out of it will not work. It will only keep you on the hamster wheel. You need to refactor your situation. File for bankruptcy. My father spent years trying to pay back his debt after he let the tenticles of the financial system grab him. He will never get them back but after bankrupcy he took off for the carribean and he lives near a river in a small hut and he’s never been happier. We dont need these flat screens and lattes. You could probably live a happier life if you took your children to a “third-world” country and worked as a translator or some business liason to the U.S. until which point you have fixed the fundamentals of your situation and return if you like.

Dear Annie: I am one of those overly optimistic indivduals. Although the economic situation looks bleak, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. All it takes is one spark from one sector of the economy and we can gradually get back on track. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the good like we do for the worst. It’s all about attitude and planning. Employers and customers love a positive attitude and game plan. In Matthew chapter 11, verse 28 thru 80, Jesus Christ extended the greatest invitation to mankind. People should read it and take him up on the invite. Trust me, your life, work, attitude and future will start to look much brighter. You have to stay cool and relaxed in the mist of the storm if you plan to find your way to quiet waters. God loves you and so do I!

2009 WILL BE HORRENDOUS FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE. IT IS SHAPING UP THAT WAY AS WE ALL CAN SEE BY WHAT WE READ OR HEAR IN THE NEWS. I FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST SURVIVING AND HAVING NIGHTMARES ABOUT LOSING THEIR JOBS AND THUS THEIR WAY OF LIVING. THE OPTIMISM OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHICH IS WHAT HAS SUSTAINED OUR REPUBLIC IS VANISHING. CAN IT BE BACK? YES IT WILL BE BACK BUT IT IS GOING TO TAKE SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS A BIG BLOW!!!

I wish that an employee’s hardwork and dedication made them layoff-proof; however, in large corporations it’s not “individuals” that are let go, it is “positions.” At my Fortune 100 company, I have seen so many top-notch talented people let go because the “position” was eliminiated. Regardless of how hard one works, being in a large company is a huge risk in times like these.

Julie, this is a tricky one, because it varies so much from one company to another. That is, what is accepted in one place may be a career-buster somewhere else. Over the years, I’ve run across some successful executives who have managed to draw a firm line around their personal/family time and let everyone else “just deal with it” — usually by working very long hours during the week but keeping the weekends sacrosanct, no work except in a real emergency (the CEO got indicted, the office is on fire…) — or else have managed to keep two or three hours during weeknight evenings for family only, usually by getting up really early and answering the previous evening’s e-mail at, say, 5:30 a.m.
But it’s hard. As you say, we’ve become slaves to technology, which is always ON — so we’re expected to be “on” 24/7 as well, particularly in global companies where colleagues may be spread across multiple time zones. Without making an announcement about it or anything (!), you could try just turning off your cell phone/BlackBerry/laptop for a couple of hours every night and *not* responding to everybody right away. Odds are good the world won’t come to an end. You might even find a few coworkers following your lead. It’s worth a try.

I am very lucky to still have my job and actually get job offers. I refuse to let the negativity of our financial crisis get to me. I never liked Corporate America, so I worked on my relationship building skills. I am in sales, at 25 doing really well. I am on a roll, no one can stop me. While the whole country is bitting their nails I am perfecting my sales skills, as Annie suggested. If I lose my job, its okay, financial recovery takes time. The one thing no one thinks about is how long it will take for people to recover fromt the anxiety this crisis caused. On a positive note, because we are all expecting financial difficulties ahead, we are not putting ourselves into debt. We are more cautious of our spending, decreasing our debt. We need to walk away from this crisis realizing that nothing is secure, nothing is guaranteed tomorrow may never come. When I lost my daughter to cancer, I realized that financial crisis is not a crisis at all. As long as we have our families we will get through anything. We will recover as a country who loves to work and be productive. Turn off the news and read a great book. If you get laid off, think of it as a door closing and another opening (maybe not for a while). Good luck everyone, keep your heads up high!!!

Annie – thanks for the feedback. Now how about the other side of the work/life balance? Meetings on weekends and weeknights? Must we continue to live with this in order to keep our jobs?

When is it appropriate to draw a line? It’s hard to tell the difference between personal time and business time. It feels like I have to be on a remote island with no internet access to truly be “away.”

Any recommendations for maintaining sanity in an insane environment?

The advances that will be made in the next 50 years will be so drastic someone could tell you and you would’nt beleive it. Genetic engineering is already DOUBLING the lifespan of worms and replacing body parts including faces. The computing infrastructure (cloud) of the 21st century is already being laid down and will make our societies more efficient and productive. Green technologies are evolving and will replace the old standards. Colonization of Mars is already planned. All these innovations coming out of the United States of America and will create new channels for industry that will be backed by government investment over the coming years. The return on this invenstment will wipe out our national debt and put us back on top. I agree with East Coast on somethings. This is the country of innovation.

Hi Annie, great post…And I have one big disagreement. Work-life balance must NOT go out the window now more than ever. Otherwise, where will you find the space and time to research, google, keep your financial picture in check, network, exercise? Flexibility is the key here, not bend over backwards allegiance.

Moreover, creating balance is really more about aligning your values with what you choose to do. Period. If you toss that out and say, “Values are only important when the economy is booming” we are in a sad, sad state as humans.

2 cents.

http://www.cravingbalance.com

Challanger can predict what will happen in 2011? BS! Why didn’t they see this debacle coming? I think someone should “counsel” the business community to put some cash away for a rainy day so they can avoid layoffs when it rains instead of declaring record profits all the time then firing most of the knowledge at a company when things get tough. I can tell you from past experience that if I get treated this way now, I’ll do what I have to to get by, but as soon as things improve – I’m moving to a better company. The business’s have ALWAYS wondered what happened. I finally started my own business so I don’t have to worry about this problem. And, since we live within our means, I don’t have to worry about an unpayable mortgage, car payments and credit cards cause I don’t have debt except for a reasonable mortgage. Its called personal responsibility and being prepared, because life happens.

To Tina from CO: Breathe, sweetie, breathe! Don’t worry– have faith. You make not get to keep your job, and you may have a rocky road ahead, but it’ll all be ok. You are never “doomed”. You have your beautiful children. That’s all that matters in the end…

First, Annie – you rock and it sucks that Fortune made that move on you. I’m a huge fan – have been reading your column for years. I think this survival guide is very good. Eastie, you sound pretty bitter, hon…might want to chill before interviewing.

Making money to pay the mortgage and put shoes on the kids and some groceries on the table is important. Let’s also realize that we’re more than our careers – a lot more.

Annie, we’re all bummed. I’m a former Lehman employee. I’ve lost THOUSANDS this year that I will never recover. Time to get realistic. There is no way to guarantee “survival” during times such as this. Melany from IL makes a lot of sense, but it still wouldn’t have helped the thousands of employees who were laid off along with their bosses and their bosses’ bosses. I’m battening down the hatches. I recommend the same to everyone else…

First, very good article. I enjoyed reading through your tips.

For the people who have lost their jobs, I’m sorry. My prayers will be with you and your family through this incredibly tough time. I’m one of the lucky people who still have a job, and I thank God for that.

But the reason that I’m commenting on this article is just for suggestion purposes. I agree that keeping a negative attitude is definitely not the way to go. For sure, after losing a job there is much grieving involved, but maybe, if people really want too, they can start doing volunteer work.

Take the month to month in-a-half to grieve and then get back in the game. Start applying at different jobs of interest and at the same time maybe volunteer at a shelter. The skills that you can gain by volunteering will help you. And just think about this: When the interviewer ask you what you’ve been doing all this time after you lost your job, you can say that you were busy volunteering your time to aide others.

I believe that employers would like to hear that their interviewee wasn’t just sitting at home but trying to stay healthy mentally and physically and maybe even honing their people skills.

Regarding #1 on the list, I work in a technical field but went to school for HR. I still love HR so I created a blog called workingthoughts.com that allows me to do something fun each day as well as expand my expertise. It might not prevent me from losing my job, but it will make me more confident in myself.

http://workingthoughts.com/

I don’t see this problem often…I was fortunate, I left my previous job voluntarily because of the poor commute to take another job. I am 60 years old. I’m an administrative assistant. In this new job, I have two direct reports. They don’t believe in a learning curve. I have been here three months, and it’s the most difficult three months of my life. I have been dropped into situations that have been far too advanced for someone who has just arrived on the scene, and then they are annoyed and disappointed (to put it mildly) when I make mistakes, which are obviously going to happen. I have become anxious and overly stressed out. My blood pressure has gone up. I am now on anxiety medication. Every mistake I make is brought to my attention regardless of how small, and each one is treated as though I were caught planning a terrorist threat on the country. I can’t afford to lose my job, but I think their expectations have been unreasonable. I am beginning to “catch on” now at three months, but I have had so much negative feedback over the past three months, I don’t think I will ever gain any ground.

What can I do?????

I am sorry I mistakenly treated you as a website and not a human. But… you are doing pretty good relative to most people in the world. And your government provides safety nets in terms of unemployment and welfare. If you fall again treat it like a paid vacation. Go to the bookstore and study something, get a quick internship and revamp. Sit down and think and make weird connections.. do google searches.. try to tie things together.. the economy is global.. one mans loss is another mans gain. Our president is about to spend billions on something. find out what that is. Find out where. find out how you can be a part of it. The people that made this country into the greatest country of all time didnt have these safety nets.. they didnt have google or health care or welfare or unemployment yet they still survived through it. Some even thrived. How do you pay rent without a job? Dont pay rent! Go live with your parents or find another family in the same boat to consolidate with. When i came to this country I live in a small apartment with 11 other people. I shared a bed with my uncle. If your wife cant hang with that and leaves then better for you.. know you know what shes made of and thats one less mouth to feed. If you ever read the rich dad poor dad books you know that Robert K. lived out of his station wagon WITH HIS WIFE for months. You want to protect your kids from the hard times but hard times are good learning tools. Renegotiate with your employer to work half the time so he can skip you on the layoffs and buy yourself some time.. use the time to plot. Are we not Americans up in here?!!?! Put your kids to work waiting tables or something, that buys you more time. You can even fall behind on the rent payments buying you even more time. In 1998 i owed 4 months of back rent until i figured out a way then i paid it all back slowly. Go drive a cab. Do all of the above in combination. You could probably sustain yourself for 2 years quarterbacking the above techniques. We are in a time of change and change brings about the best opportunities people.. look for them, find them and when things get better remember this time because it will come again.

in this time you cannot control the future & your job security. But you can control other things like living well, eating well, and feeling good in your own skin! If you dont have that then your bad or weary work experience may be multiplied. So live well and be well and like our parents did save save save

New Years Resolutions….

1) Try to get back the fifty-percent of our retirement funds that were lost in this financial debacle. But it’s okay because we bailed out the rich guys.

2) Try to get work that doesn’t suck. Which is getting harder and harder, because the quest of the owners of this country is to make us passively accept increasingly shi*tier jobs, with lower pay, longer hours, reduced benefits, the end of overtime, and the vanishing pension that disappears the minute you go to collect it. But it’s okay because we bailed out the rich guys.

3) Find the 35% or our house value that magically disappeared in the mortgage meltdown. Now we owe more than the house will appraise for. So that coupled with the fact that they got really strict on the loan practices, means we are basically stuck here for the rest of our lives. But it’s okay because we bailed out the rich guys.

4) To STOP supporting Big Pharma and the diseases they create, because they have a drug that perpetuates the condition, while making you think you are being “cured”. Notice those rich guys didn’t ask for a bailout. Archaic, expensive, and destructive treatments, long abandonded by other countries, being the only method of treatment here because that’s what the insurance companies will “pay for”.

5) To bring to the public’s attention that the nearly 6 trillion dollars of “bailout monies”, that our grandchildren’s grandchildren won’t even be able to pay the interest on, hasn’t stopped the lay-offs, the company closings, or the complete economic collapse of the middle-class. It’s gone extinct, like the dinosaurs and dodo birds. But it’s okay because we bailed out the rich guys for the problems they intentionally created, selling unrated mortgage futures, which led to the giant inflated real-estate bubble that just collapsed. We should have let them fall…. prices would have adjusted in a couple years. Now it will be decades before this economy comes back.

6) To put back on my rose-colored glasses, so that I don’t see the real truth, like most of the rest of the country. People have allowed themselves to become so A.D.D. and allowed advertising to turn our brains to mush, that it’s a wonder we haven’t been bulldozed into pits already.

Anyone left in the country that’s capable of critical thinking, better band together, keep your head down, and your powder dry….. this is going to get way uglier before it gets ANY better……

Fryan

Hi, Are so many people helpless, that they can’t think right. I’m 65 and my wife is 56 and we’re both working full time and have avoided lay-offs, because of our work skills and strong good attitude for working hard. I’m checking places where I can work part time, in case I’m layoff. So plan ahead, do your job, be positive at work and pray. Thanks

Personally, I am abit anxious and neverous, we’ve had various communications from our leadership in a sector that usually doesn’t get hit by economic downturns,which is healthcare. However, these are unprecedented times, and “all” industries are struggling, it’s the large domino effect, one might say.

So your points are well taken and indeed, I will work on refining my own path with these.

“being overweight won’t do wonders for your confidence, either”

Wow. I guess only skinny people will be keeping their jobs, Annie. Who would want to hire or retain a hard-working overweight person who could do the job of three when they can hire a skinny person who is obsessed with the way they look and, therefore, may not be focused on the job but on their body?

I am truly disappointed in your comments. I work extremely hard and have gained some weight from quitting smoking – maybe I should be fired from my job for that excess weight, eh?

I currently am in Corporate Sales.There is no industry as stressful as the financial industry. I maintain a low stress life style by making sure that I make time for myself. I make sure I get to at least 3 Aerobic Dance Classes a week, usually Zumba. I am finishing a degree. I make sure that no matter what I make time for my family and spend quality time with them. After all they are my rock. That way I am much more relaxed at work and can maintain focus.

I have been laid off and searching a few times and thought the column was great. I am now involved with retraining programs and I would emphasize and add to #5, “Update Your Skills”.
Make sure the updates you make are what the company would need moving forward OR what you would need if you are laid off. Ask your boss, read the trade journals, search your dreams.
Last year, I was able to study for and earn professional licensure. It will help me in my job AND/OR help me when I lose it.
God bless y’all!

Not everyone has room (or $$$) for a “gym” in their home. Still think your recommendation is off, even with your ($1000? $500?) exercise bike in your bedroom… Can someone say “Luxury”?

What Annie has presented is right “on the money”. I was one of the first “layoff” subjects in early Dec 2007 from the homebuilding industry. I was already going to do workouts, so it definitely contributed positively to dealing with what happened and pounding the pavement, networking within and outside of the circle, ALWAYS, is a must. I started back up with a position that paid about a 1/3 of what I was making and now got hired with a major Fortune 100 company. The attitude is a big plus whether interviewing or working. You must see beyond what is making you frown. Will it provide for your family’s needs materially…..no; but it will contribute to you and and your family’s abilities to see things through. There are resoures, programs and avenues out there to use. There is no such thing as “not enough time”. We have to “make time” Good luck

First, do your job. As a leader responsible for a department I see too many times that people try to pass the buck to someone else instead of taking care of business. Those are the ones I can do without and will be the first to go. You don’t need to be a superstar. Just make sure you are productive every day and contribute to the goals and financial success of the business that gives you a paycheck.

East Coast, here’s a newsflash: I did just lose a job, and it was a great one too. As of December 26, I’m no longer a senior writer at Fortune magazine (the byline on my column will be different next time you see it!). So please don’t accuse me of presenting a “cheery dreamy” point of view. I’m actually pretty bummed out. Can you stand one more word of my unrealistic advice? Here it is: Know what you’re talking about before you start ranting.

Oh, but don’t get me wrong, I believe in responsibility and loyalty to employer and coworkers. I am a hard worker. At least, I hope I am considered as such.

Experience has taught me, it is not working hard or producing great work that makes the difference. It it whom you have made happy above you or who likes you.

In other words, the decision makers will keep their friends to the end.

Nonsense such as working harder, working more, sacrificing your life quality, etc. is nonsense that will not help you to keep your job.

Best advice? Save your money, have a cushion of 2-6 months for unemployment, interview now if only to get practice and to stay vital, and do your job, but not excessively.

Take care of yourself first and foremost, and be emotionally healthy.

Ensure your boss and their boss like you. Everything else is gravy.

But…
Your employer does not love you or care if you live or die. Never forget that.

Mark, the idea is, try not to give your employer the impression that your mind isn’t 100% on your job. If that means missing out on some personal stuff like school events, well, so be it. As for working at home, it’s probably OK 1 or 2 days a week, as long as your boss knows what you’re accomplishing. BTW, this advice is aimed at people who want to become indispensable. If you’re already indispensable — i.e., so crucial to the organization that you’d be the last person they’d dream of laying off — then never mind!

I don’t know…. Ignore work/life balance? What if you are asked by your son to go to that soccer game and you declined, and found out that evening that after the game your son was in a car accident and killed. You wouldn’t feel like the best parent in the world then. The world is so caught up in thinking that we work for our jobs, for our bosses. I work for my family. Yes, supporting and providing for them is totally important, but why work so hard to stay alive if you can never live? Yes, it might be better in a year, but you might get cancer in ten months. There still needs to be a balance.

Who said anything about a gym membership? I agree that working out at home is the way to go! Personally, I have an exercise bike in my bedroom, and I do try to keep it from turning into a clothes rack…

I agree that you cannot let your attitude slide even with the stress of all the issues going on today. Here is a website of who is hiring, check your area to see if they have offices there. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10073394-2.html?tag+mncol;txt It is a cnet news webpage

“A 10-point survival guide” stands perfectly true for full-time employee, what about Consultants/ Seasoned employees?

Annie, I think you have been spoiled by the world that we have lived in for so long given the first recommendation in your “survival guide”. Having a Gym membership is a “LUXURY”. You say in recommendation number 8, keep yourself in a place where you can coast for several months or put yourself on a budget. A realistic budget, in good times, can include “needs” and “wants”, but if anyone is concerned with keeping their job during bad times, a luxury is a no-no. Period. I vote for jogging, just as long as you have nice, sturdy running shoes that won’t hurt your knees…don’t spend too much on them though…

Okay, so now, after Julie’s comment and the response, I am even more confused about what the recommendation is regarding the “work-life” balance thing. What is it that we are asked to do without? No attending my children’s school or other functions? Is working out of the home 1 or 2 days a week also not advised in this economy?

I’m scared everyday that I walk in that I’m next on the chopping block. I know more layoffs are coming this month (Jan 09), but no one knows who it will be. I’m working my butt off, but it doesn’t guarantee I’ll stay around. I found working out helps relieve some stress, but I’m scared of losing everything. I’m the only income for a family of 4, and without my paycheck, we’re doomed. How do you get around not paying rent without a job?

Having been the victim of a few layoffs in the past, I fully agree with this list of recommendations.

I am one of the lucky ones right now. For the first time in my life, I am actually secure in my job and in my company, and I believe that it is because I have practiced exactly what you have recommended. On a negative note, I have had vacations backfire on me and the company is so small that there really isn’t anyone that I can train to do my job, but there are two individuals who used to have my job but have promoted upwards who can pick up my overload – and offer to do so when they see my plate getting a little too full (which it seems that the more things I do right, the more responsibilities come my way).

Good thing too because hubby got laid off and God only knows where he will go next in his career…

I’m all for keeping my job–which I love–but there are lots of things worse than getting laid off or losing your job. People just need to do the best they can and keep a bit of joy going no matter what. If it isn’t cancer or some other life-threatening disease, you can always try something else. Live in the now!

Annie cant give it to you straight because she doesnt want to lose her job herself. CNN needs to present a cheery dreamy by the book view of things when they give advice. They are not paid to keep it real. Workers are resources. If you are working more than 8 hours a day there is no incentive unless you get commission from some sale or something. You should actually find a way to work 4 hours a day so you can spend time thinking and planning and dreaming and living. Everyone thinks they “made it” when they get the car or the house. Its a crazy groupthink. But they secretly wish they were 20 years younger so they could be free of responsibility. But they gave themselves the shackles in the first place by being a conformist. Kids are a plaything of the rich as a good friend of mine says. Go back to the lab and think about how you can get back to your 20 year old self… the one who could care less about an ailing economy. And scoff at anyone that tells you you are being childish. You dont need anyones acceptance you dont need to be part of the financial slave club. NEWSFLASH!!! There is only one life and they havent discovered the cure for aging so do YOU.

Good point, Julie! I should clarify: “Work-life balance” is a code phrase for things like leaving work at 3 p.m. to attend a child’s soccer game, or for any other non-emergency personal reason. This was OK just a few months ago — in fact, some employers encouraged it, on the grounds that it helped retain talent… — but things have changed!

The last thing you want to do is number 7! Working harder doesnt help you keep your job it only makes you angrier when you end up losing it. Organizations treat workers like resources. Break out that old business plan and start planning on being on unemployment. Align Business goals with worker goals at work so you kill two birds with one stone. Align Business goals with career goals so just in case your idea doesnt take off youll be more attractive as a work worst case when things bounce back again. When they lay you off you can collect unemployment and chase your dreams. Rollerblade during the work day. Someone might say this approach is not realistic or responsible. Thats only coming from people that lived beyond thier means during the good times. You should have never took out that mortgage if your wife couldnt handle it by herself on her worst day. The kids should have gone to public school. You stressed at work? Go back home and live with the parents while you rent out the home. Ohh Shame! Imagine that. Theres people in Africa living on a loaf a bread a week and you complaining about your mother in law? Home should be just a place to lay your head not an amusement park .. until you are financially free .. e.g. you take in more automatic income than you spend without working. Or maybe you should have bought a 3 family. Whatever. Stop whining and think outside of the box or your going to be a slave to the economy forever and the end will come when the stock market takes all your savings. Get off the high horse.

Never let them see you sweat.

I think this advice is a mixed bag. On the one hand, you state “work-life balance is out the window” and on the other it’s “you are the product, take care of yourself.”

My work-life balance has been out of whack for years, and I dont’ know how much longer I can let work win in this balancing act. Like so many others, I have financial obligations that require me to keep my job.

It’s hard to remain positive in such a disempowering environment.

I enjoyed reading your tips and couldn’t agree more, especially #4. MeetingWave.com can help you not only keep your network active, but even expand it, for free. Knowing a broad group of people well is critical to finding a new opportunity quickly in the unfortunate event of a lay-off.