No job security? What can you do?

Times are changing and it's changing fast. Change can happen in an instant and many lives are affected. Nowadays, you hear a lot of news about companies closing or workforce cutting. Two to three decades ago, the employee stays with the company all their lives and when they retire they get retirement packages and lives on pension. Today, the idea of job security needs some rethinking. Is there such thing as job security? Does the idea of get-a-secure-and-stable-job-and-stay-there-until-retirement still holds water? Recently news on job cutting and retrenchment is filling the airwaves and many of us cannot help but think, "Am I next?" This question tortures the minds of many employees across the globe. The fear of being 'next' is oftentimes paralyzing because it arousing the feeling of helplessness.  

But is there something we can do? The philosophy surrounding jobs before no longer holds true. Adhering to these philosophies does more harm in today's employee. What are these philosophies? Here are some example:

1. I am entitled to job security.
2. I am secure because I am with the company for X years.

3. I work only within my job description.

What are the new philosophies in today's market?

1. You create your security. You are not secure because the company says so. You are secure because you know that no matter what happens to the company you have the skills to make it in the marketplace. The more skill you have the more valuable you are.

2. It's all about creating value. You are paid not because of the time that you give to the company but because of the value that you bring on the day-to-day basis. So your goal is to be able to create and bring value. Coming to the office at 8AM and leaving at 5PM is NOT A GOOD GOAL.

3. Be valuable. Be multi-skilled. Invest an hour a day for your technical and personal growth. Understand the marketplace. Where is the market going? What value can I give with this information?

If you do that then you don't have to think if you are 'next'. All you need to improve is your value. How valuable are you? What skills do you have that others don't have? 

There is no such thing as job security. But you can help yourself by building your value in the marketplace.