1. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur1 Enjoying Job Security By Atul Mathur Web site (click here): www.atulmathur.comwww.atulmathur.com E-mail (click here): atul@atulmathur.comatul@atulmathur.com

2. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur2 Take Away How to get rid of job insecurity –FOR EVER?

3. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur3 Two Tales Me Changed jobs 4 times in 12 years Survived three retrenchment exercises Experienced pay cuts Spent more time worrying about job than looking after family My father Same job for 30 years Never worried about economy, job loss or pay cut Married, raised 2 kids (educated and married), built a house Retired, now getting pension

4. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur4 Why we crave for security? Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

5. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur5 Job Security: Very Important! Survey (International Social Survey Programme, 1989)* Workers in 9 OECD countries surveyed Asked to rate 9 different aspects of a job: security, income, promotion opportunities, leisure time, interest, independent work, being able to help others, being useful to society and flexible working hours A five point scale was used from overall very important to not at all important Result 59% said job insecurity was very important compared with avg. 27 percent for the other eight attributes *OECD Employment Outlook 1997 - Low-wage jobs: stepping stones to a better future or traps?

6. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur6 International Phenomenon Insecurity levels* –US: 8 percent (2000) –Britain: 12 percent (2002) –Germany: 10 percent (late 1990s) In US, people are negotiating termination clauses at the time of accepting appointment letters *Paper by Francis Green (Oct. 2003)

7. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur7 Why are jobs not secure? Because organisations are not secure!

8. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur8 Why arent organisations secure? Increased competition (survival of the fittest!) Fast technological changes Unexpected developments (oil, diseases, natural disasters, terrorism)

9. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur9 How organisations survive? Retrenchments/hiring, closure/introduction of new product lines/services, outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions, relocation of factories and offices, salary adjustments, adoption of new technologies… End Result? Jobs cannot be guaranteed any more!

10. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur10 Impact of Job Insecurity Personal level Physical well-being Stress Family and other relationships Organisational level Work efficiency Relationship between employee and employer Training needs…often sidelined Country level Macroeconomic impact

11. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur11 So, what should we do?

12. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur12 Act to dismantle two fears Losing the present jobNot getting an alternative jobJob Insecurity

13. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur13 Two-Track Approach Job insecurity Work Security Work to create other options Consolidate your position in present job

14. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur14 Avoid: Busy without RESULTS Produce tangible results for your organisation Effort is admirable. Achievement is valuable. - Morton C. Blackwell (1939– ) US political educator, founder-president: Leadership Institute Focus on Results

15. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur15 Avoid: Doing minimum or expected Deliver MORE! than expected to stand out from the crowd Deliver More!

16. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur16 Avoid: Working selfishly! Always support your team members and work towards team goals Be a Great Team Player

17. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur17 Avoid: Ignoring the power of relationships Every person you work with can be instrumental in helping you retain your present job or get a new one. Have strong bonds with everyone! Cultivate Relationships--Internally

18. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur18 Avoid: Wait and see approach or voicing opposition to mergers & acquisitions and restructuring Be proactive! Meet new bosses sooner than later. Show your value. Offer to help during transition. M & A / Restructuring: Be Proactive

19. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur19 Avoid: Not knowing where the ship is heading to Closely follow: Departments and organisations performance Competitors Industry trends Economy (national, regional and world) Study Your Environment

20. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur20 Avoid: Thinking that you are what you write in your resume. Biggest pitfall! Find your: Skills, Knowledge, Strengths, Personality, Values, Interests Know Yourself

21. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur21 Recommended Resources The Secret of Finding The Right Career Direction By: Atul Mathur [US$9.9 from (click here): www.atulmathur.com/ebook.html]www.atulmathur.com/ebook.html What Color is Your Parachute? By: Richard N. Bolles (Libraries/US$27.95…2005 edition/hardcover) Other books Do a personal inventory Knowing yourself is a big leap towards SECURITY!

22. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur22 Avoid: Ignoring/mistreating customers and vendors Make good, professional impression on everyone. Attend exhibitions, join industry associations, write in trade journals. External contacts: The key to a new job! Cultivate External Contacts

23. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur23 Avoid this Pitfall Age Knowledge and Skills Time

24. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur24 Learn Continuously Avoid: Thinking that learning and working are two separate phases of life. That was past! Learn continuously! On the job learning. Learn from others. Go for courses/seminars. Read. Write. Speak. Learning: The insurance against insecurity

25. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur25 Sharpen Your Transferable Skills Avoid: Thinking that you cant change industries Work to sharpen non job-specific skills: management, leadership, communication, research, human relations skills, problem solving. Read about Transferable skills at (click here): http://www.atulmathur.com/newsletters/issue6.html http://www.atulmathur.com/newsletters/issue6.html

26. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur26 Dont Forget other Options Avoid: Thinking that job is the only way to make a living Explore other options: Freelance work, temp./contract positions, telecommuting, home- based businesses, full-fledged business

27. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur27 Act on Your Ideas Avoid: Thinking and thinking and thinking (I can do this; I can do that; maybe; maybe not…) Act on your ideas. Make a small start but start!

28. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur28 Psychological Triumph Avoid: Worrying about job and imagining the worst Always stay peaceful and motivated. Meditate. Read something inspiring everyday. Write freely. Read article How to Stay Peaceful and Motivated at (click here): www.atulmathur.com/articles/motivation.html www.atulmathur.com/articles/motivation.html

29. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur29 Jobs will come and go but remember… When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. - Alexander Graham Bell

30. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur30 Make a Personal Commitment I will treat job insecurity not as a threat to my survival but as an OPPORTUNITY to my career revival.

31. 22 March 2005Copyright 2005 Atul Mathur31 Thank You! Job insecurity Work Security Work to create other options Consolidate position in present job Web site (click here): www.atulmathur.comwww.atulmathur.com E-mail (click here): atul@atulmathur.comatul@atulmathur.com