Job Security In A Hurting Economy

What do you do for a living? I work as a secretary in a law firm. I have a great boss I’ve been with for almost 10 years, my half hour commute to work is very peaceful, the pay is competitive and I have no real complaints. There is one thing however I don’t have: Job Security.

Last month alone, the economy lost 80,000 jobs and nearly a quarter-million over the last three months. Despite this fact, my view of job security has always been a pessimistic one. When people mention the security they feel within their job, I raise my left eyebrow, my head tilts down and left, I look at the person over my glasses, then I burst out laughing. Job security! Advancement in technology is replacing jobs once done by people at a steady rate. The only person who has job security might be a mortician and with people living longer, even they have to wait on our business.

When things are going great it’s easy to get comfortable, to get lulled into a false sense of security, until our job is outsourced or either terminated. Sadly, when a job no longer needs or can afford our services, they let us go, sometimes without warning.

So what can we do in an economy when things are unstable? Prepare now!

Valley and Peaks

Pay off debt. Getting rid of debt should always be a priority in any economy. If you feel your job is secure, why not use your guaranteed income to pay down debt.

Build your emergency fund. The rule used to be a savings of 3 to 6 months of household expenses, or the amount you would need to maintain your household for 6 months. Now it’s 12 months of expenses. Finding a job is a job in itself and may not happen as quickly as you hoped. You can buy yourself more time to find a job that’s right for you if you have a bigger cushion to soften the blows.

Learn a skill. I know people with more degrees than a thermometer and no job. They have the skills and education, and while that’s a huge advantage, it’s no guarantee of a job. However, if you can do something with your hands, no one can take work away from you. Sure you may have to work harder at finding work, but the ability to create work always remains with YOU.

Use free resources. I’m a huge fan of the library, to me it’s a free education. Through reading alone, I’ve taught myself photography and web design. I don’t have the greatest skills in these areas, but I’ve used both as a means to generate income doing work that I love. Yes, I have to find the work, but no one can take away my ability to work. To me, I feel it’s always there when I need it.

How do you feel about your job in this economy? Do you feel a measure of security or do you think you could wake up one day with no job?

My So-Called Life

Before I start rambling, I have to say thanks to my daughter Victoria for filling in for me on Wednesday, thanks sweetie. I see she has some responses to get to and I’m glad you all enjoyed her post. She keeps me laughing.

I’m in the process of trying to get myself a little more organized, which is kind of hard to do when you feel like you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I started taking vitamins again and for a few days they were working, but then I slumped back into the feeling of needing a daytime nap. Maybe I need iron pills.

My “diet” just isn’t working. I really wasn’t on a diet, I was eating the same foods, but less of it with exercise several times a week. Today is my weigh in, I wouldn’t be surprised if I was back where I started. A co-worker gave me the South Beach Diet book to read and out of curiosity I will, although I recently heard on my favorite radio show that our weight is already determined in our genetics. We may go up and down a few pounds, but our weight is going to be what it is, not what we want. I still plan to drop 15lbs and I have 3 months to do it.

In two weeks, my job is bowling for a charity and word got out that I was the competition. I used to be the competition, but I haven’t bowled on a regular basis in years. Being in a league just got too expensive, so if I go now, it’s for relaxation. I went bowling at lunch time twice this week, once to beat up on someone (we split two games) and the second time just for fun with a coworker. I sacrificed a few finger nails, but it was worth it.

I also misplaced my flash drive, which has me a wee bit concerned because I had copies of my manuscripts, client bills and other personal information, most not password protected. It’s kind of unlike me to lose something outside of the home, so I’m going to keep looking around the house. I bought a new flash drive and this one is attached to my key ring. Now all I have to do is keep up with my keys.

So, it’s been a productive week, I got a lot of things done, caught up on some reading, (I’m even listening to a book on tape..never thought I could get into that, however, nothing replaces holding a book in your hand, well almost nothing). I watched Jeopardy several times this week, watched some movies and stayed in bed a little longer. I’m working on my schedule though, I still need to keep up with my so-called life.

From the Mouths of Babes

My daughter is doing the guest post for me today, let me know if she does a good job.

Hi my name is Victoria, my mom is taking a little break and asked me to type anything that would not get either of us in trouble, so here goes.

Guess what I call cleavage? (my mom helped me with this word).  Breast crack.  I came up with this name because if the other one is butt crack, then this must be breast crack.  At least they look alike. I hate breast crack and I’m glad my mommy doesn’t show hers.

~OOooOO~

I’m learning to knit and this is a recent conversation I had with my mom, she thinks it was funny, so I want to know what you think.

Mom - “Victoria, you could probably sell one of your blankets when you’re done.”

Me - I think that’s a lot of money and can’t believe that anyone would pay me $100.00 for yarn.  I can’t believe what my mom is telling me, so I said, ”No, maybe $20.00.”

Mom - “Are you kidding?  A blanket knitted by an 8 year old is worth $100.00!” 

Me - “Well okay, but I’m selling the messed up ones for $99.00.” 

I never did get what was so funny about what I said.

Quote from mom on this conversation: ”I’m glad to know even when it’s not her best work she doesn’t sell herself short.”

~OOooOO~

And this is the last conversation I am able to share without getting in trouble. My mom was teaching me how to remember which side the silverware goes on when setting the  table.  She gave me this long explanation about counting the letters of the word spoon and then she started to sound like the teacher on Charlie Brown, (womp, womp, womp, womp, womp)…I wondered if she could tell that I was not paying too much attention, but I understood, I’m 8, not born yesterday.  (I hope I don’t get in trouble for that remark, she can be tough). When she was done, I said, “So basically, the fork is alone and the spoon and knife go together.” 

She looked at me and laughed.  Grown-ups sure do use a lot of words to say the simplest things, you have to love them!

I had fun doing this guest post today, I feel like Little Billy from The Family Circus comic strip when he fills in for his dad.  This blog thing is much easier to do than when she wakes me up at night to dance for company.