Five Things You Can Do to Increase Your Job Security During Covid-19


The coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world to its core. It has crippled the economy, which has resulted in mass unemployment, the likes of which haven’t been seen since the great depression.

The uncertainty caused by the global pandemic was unprecedented; for the longest time, governments and businesses struggled to grasp the situation. As a result, they could not formulate a coherent strategy to counter it.

6 months into the pandemic, countries are only just beginning to take some constructive steps towards normalizing the situation. Even now, there is a lot of confusion, and companies are struggling to adapt to the new normal.

COVID-19 And Unemployment

The covid19 outbreak has increased the unemployment number by more than 14 million in the U.S alone. The unemployment rate escalated from 6.2 million in February to 20.5 million in May 2020. Let’s have a look at some more statsOpens in a new tab. from the past few months:

• The United States has seen the largest unemployment rate amongst developed countries
• In Canada, the unemployment rate rose to 14% in April 2020, almost double what it was in February 2020.
• Japan’s unemployment rate in March was 2.5%, with 1.76 million unemployed
• In March, Italy’s unemployment rate was 8.4%, the highest in 9 years

According to LaTonya Wilkins, an International Coaching Federation-credentialed executive coach, the job market will see a lot of uncertainty in the coming days as the world changes to cope with the aftershocks of COVID-19.

How, then, should we ensure job security? Here are some practical tips to make sure you have a job in 2020:

1. Adaptability is Key

Pandemic or no pandemic, adaptability is an essential employability trait.  Adaptability is about embracing change and molding yourself to work in any situation. In the modern work environment, change is inevitable. Whether a software upgrade or operational automation, employees need to be ready to learn and adapt to the changing circumstances to ensure job security.

People who don’t change get left behind. Therefore, make sure that you are flexible in your attitude towards work. For instance, during the pandemic, several businesses immediately shifted towards an online work model. Working from home has become the new normal, so people who were able to transition smoothly held on to their jobs while others were laid off.

According to the CEO of Carpet Cleaning LondonOpens in a new tab., employees that quickly adapted to the new cleaning standards and work format not only secured their job, they also made a good impression on management. He explained that managers naturally prefer employees with a positive can-do attitude instead of naysayers.

Therefore, you, as an employee, must be flexible and adapt according to the ongoing situation. Being resilient can help you bounce back in a difficult situation. Flexibility can help you adjust while being mindful can help you succeed in tougher times.

To accept change, we must:

• Cultivate adaptability amongst ourselves
• Recognize the benefits of change
• Welcome change and encourage it
• Let go of any fears attached to change

2. Be Innovative

We have all heard the famous Darwinian theory, “survival of the fittest,” well, you can also apply that to the current job situation. If you are innovative and can think out of the box and add value to your company through your presence, then there is less chance that your company will fire you.

Your creativity must benefit your organization, and bringing new and implementable solutions can help you secure your job even in the toughest times. While laying off, the company still protects its valued employees.

According to Claire Telling, CEO of the marketing, media, and communications firm Grace Blue Partnership, employers prefer employees with inventive thinking, problem-solving attitude, and the ability to solve challenges.

You can help your organization overcome challenges, remodeling structures, help in cost-saving plans, or offer any out of the box ideas regarding your field to become one of their precious possessions.

• Innovation is welcomed and appreciated by organizations
• Highly innovative teams result in 21% greater profitability
• Innovative peers motivate the organization and keep teams energized

3. Learning Attitude

Having an attitude of a learner can take you a long way. As the world evolves, we need to develop a learner’s attitude and learn things as quickly as we can. Being open to change and learning can help you cope up with the fast-paced changes in the operations.

As new technologies are showing up, several operations are being automated via software or apps, which is why you must be open to learning. Organizations prefer employees who welcome change and adapt according to the changing environments.

Focus on skills that are essential to your job; always upgrade your skills through online courses or any other avenues available to you. Acquiring additional skills can help you diversify your knowledge base, and hence you can add substantial value to your business.

Once you start learning new skills, you will realize:

• What timings and mode of learning suits for you
• Which formats suit you
• What is your pace of learning
• Which skills helped you professionally
• What are your strengths and weaknesses

4. The Power of Networking

Networking is a valuable skill that you must practice while in the industry. Good communication skills can help you develop better links and relations. New connections can help you open new avenues and opportunities.

If you have connections, there is a high chance that you will get more leads regarding job openings. Moreover, if you are networking with the higher-ups in your organization, likely, they won’t fire you because you have maintained a good relationship with them.

Regardless of COVID-19, having connections can help you find opportunities to grow and expand your skillset. In times of corona, you can network via online webinars, courses, and open discussions.

You can still make a connection while sitting at home and can also do a virtual coffee date to reach out to your colleagues for a small chat.

5. Showing Empathy

In tough times like these, everyone is looking for a little kindness. Being empathetic towards your peers and understanding what each one is going through can help you become a better human. Moreover, employers prefer soft skills in their employees.

According to experts, employees who are empathetic and kind tend to do better in their careers. If you think you need to practice empathy, now is the perfect time to show a bit of kindness towards your peers. Actively listen to the problems of your peers and understand their situation and try to help them in any way you can.

96% of employees think showing empathy is an effective way to advance employee retention. Having an empathetic employer can keep the employees happy and satisfied. You can not only raise in your career through empathy but also get famous amongst the peers as a person who is always there to help. This can help you secure your job while helping people out and being kind towards others in a struggling time.

To Sum It Up

During the tough time of COVID-19, there is no certainty about job security; however, if you prove yourself to be better with the skills and commitment, it is highly likely that you can secure your job.

In the current state of affairs, the chances of job security are higher for people who are more skilled and can manage situations with resilience and being welcoming towards change.

Having a learner’s attitude can help you attain the necessary skills which are vital for maintaining your job. No matter which field of profession you belong to, you can learn skills to diversify your knowledge base.
Author Bio:
Shaheryar provides ghostwriting and copywriting services. His educational background in the technical field and business studies helps him in tackling topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development and digital marketing. He occasionally writes articles for Carpet Cleaning London.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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