On Holding On

If you were worried before, the news from the past two weeks may have you teetering on the edge.

Watching the stock market has been bad enough, but the job cut numbers for September (http://www NULL.nytimes NULL.com/2008/10/04/business/economy/04jobs NULL.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1223121609-Jl/hIHjo5PUdY9vFfp0gZw) have been tallied and the results aren’t positive. And, unfortunately, more employers may lay off workers (http://www NULL.computerworld NULL.com/action/article NULL.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9116127).

So, what should you do?

First, it’s important to realize that a lot of things are beyond your control. You cannot change what’s happening on Wall Street and with the overall economy.

But you can—and should—focus on those things you do control. At the top of the list is your job performance. As SingleMindedWomen.com has pointed out, now more than ever you should concentrate on doing your job to the best of your ability (http://www NULL.singlemindedwomen NULL.com/womenscareer/470/layoffs-in-my-industry-is-my-company-next NULL.html).

John Challenger, chief executive officer of global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas (http://www NULL.challengergray NULL.com) and member of SingleMindedWomen.com’s editorial advisory board, recently told CNNMoney.com (http://money NULL.cnn NULL.com/2008/10/01/pf/layoff_order/?postversion=2008100213), (http://money NULL.cnn NULL.com/2008/10/01/pf/layoff_order/?postversion=2008100213) “When the economy is in recession the chance of being laid off goes up.” However, Challenger also cites another fact worth emphasizing: Companies want to keep people who are A-players.

If you’re not an A-player, do your best to become one. Sharpen your skills (http://www NULL.singlemindedwomen NULL.com/womenscareer/468/the-skills-employers-really-evaluate NULL.html), pay attention to your image, online (http://www NULL.singlemindedwomen NULL.com/womenscareer/343/your-online-image-and-your-career NULL.html) and in person (http://www NULL.singlemindedwomen NULL.com/womenscareer/132/dress-for-success NULL.html). Be as productive as possible (http://www NULL.singlemindedwomen NULL.com/womenscareer/158/productive-at-work NULL.html), and show you’re a team player (http://www NULL.singlemindedwomen NULL.com/womenscareer/338/team-sports-dont-be-afraid-to-pick-up-the-ball NULL.html).

Meanwhile, focus on what’s good about your job, and the rest of your life. Take an optimist’s view. It helps to remember that, even though times are tough right now, the economy is cyclical.

Give yourself a pep talk…or two…or three. And stay tuned to SingleMindedWomen.com for daily doses of optimism. We’ll point you in a positive direction with practical tips for every aspect of your life.

Paula Santonocito
Career Editor, SingleMindedWomen.com