時尚雙語:10個貼士 讓你年保住飯碗

Protecting your job in this economic climate is a job in itself, but the effort can pay off. John McKee offers practical strategies for getting through tough times with your career intact.

With unemployment rates climbing into the stratosphere and job prospects becoming increasingly tenuous, IT pros need to think strategically and act effectively to keep their heads above water. Here are some recommendations to help you safeguard your career during the months to come.

Note: This article is also available as a PDF download.

#1: Make a specific plan
I’m not talking about making a wish list which, like New Year’s resolutions, will be forgotten by the third week of January. You want a plan that has specific goals for your job (what’s the best role for you next?) and your income (exactly how much would you like to be making by the end of 2009?). Writing down your plans makes them concrete, and it’s more likely you will attain them.

#2: SWOT yourself
Be honest with yourself. Review your strengths — like what you’ve got that can move you ahead; weaknesses — like those things you have or do that are holding you back;opportunities — things you can pursue at the company or in the industry; andthreats — things that can derail you or sabotage your career advancement.

#3: Update your resume
Smart careerists are always ready for the next opportunity. Taking time to review and modify your resume before you want to send it to someone makes it a better product. This is often your first introduction to a new employer or boss — so make sure it’s topnotch.

#4: Invest in your career
Most people forget they really have two jobs. The first is to do what you get paid for and do it better than others. The second is to do what’s required to ensure that your career isn’t left to someone’s wrong opinions that were made in your absence. Be in the office when your boss is. It gives you additional opportunity to let him or her get to know you for things other then the job you’re currently filling.

#5: Get financially smart
Get involved with managing your financial affairs. Paying attention to money matters is one of the smartest and easiest ways to improve your personal balance sheet. There are many books and online courses on the subject of money management basics. Looking after your financial health doesn’t take a lot of time; but it could save your life.

#6: Develop a sense of urgency
Many people think that working hard, being busy, and burning a lot of energy is equal to managing their career and life. It’s not. Developing a sense of urgency means knowing how to pick through all those “to-do’s” and focusing your time and energy on just the ones that count.

#7: Look up, not down
When downsizing is the operative word, developing your team is no longer the smartest way to ensure success. Spend less time with your staff members and more time looking after your boss’ needs. When you show that you’re working hard to make him or her look good, you’ll stand out from the crowd. And your boss will be more likely to provide you with the resources that you and your team need to do the job better.

#8: Update your skill set
It pays to demonstrate that you are interested in “upgrading” yourself — and in 2009, your ability to grow may be more important than ever. With unemployment now at record highs, demand for jobs greatly exceeds supply. Not staying on par with colleagues and those vying for your job will be a death knell. Take seminars, do coursework, or leverage other vehicles to get on the leading edge and thus, maximize your personal value to the organization.

#9: Self promote
Face it: Often, decisions are made affecting who gets moved upward and who gets downsized without your involvement. It’s important that the decision makers know you and what you are doing. Have regular meetings with your boss or send regular e-mails to update those in charge about your contributions.

#10: Look after your loved ones
One way or another, when 2009 is done and over, you’ll still be here and you’re going to want those you care about to still be with you. While it’s important to look after your job and career, don’t neglect those who make life most worthwhile. Tell them you care and spend time with them “just for fun.”

在經濟危機中保住飯碗本身就是一項工作，不過這是有回報的。John McKee提供了可行策略助你保住位置，渡過時艱。

隨着失業率節節攀升至最高點，就業前景變得越來越岌岌可危。IT從業者需進行戰略思考，並採取有效行動避免被（失業大潮）淹死。這裏有一些建議，能在今後幾個月內保住你的職位。

#1: 制定專案

我可不是在說什麼願望清單，像什麼新年願望，到了1月的第三個星期就要忘光了。對工作（你下一個最佳角色是什麼？）和收入（到年底具體想掙多少錢？）的特定的目標，你得有個計劃。把它寫下來，具體化，這樣你才更有可能達成目標。

#2: 自我SWOT

對自己要誠實。回顧自己的優點 — 諸如某些你已具備的可推動你前進的東西； 弱點 — 諸如某些你身上殘留的或做過的會拉你後退的東西；機會 — 可讓你繼續留在公司或這個行當的東西；以及威脅 — 會干擾你或破壞職業發展的東西。

#3: 更新履歷

聰明的職場人士隨時準備好迎接下一個機會。在你想發出去之前，花點時間檢查修改自己的簡歷，讓它成爲更好的產品。這通常是你給新同事或老闆的第一次自我介紹-所以務必確保其優秀。

#4: 給職業下本錢

許多人忘了自己實際上有兩項工作。首先是那份你得錢該做且做得比別人好的。另一份要做的是確保你的職業，沒有因自己的缺席而讓他人錯誤的觀點佔據。老闆在辦公室的時候，你也得在。這給了你額外的機會，使他/她可以瞭解到你工作以外的東西。

#5: 聰明理財

要理財。重視金錢問題是改善個人資產負債表的最明智和最容易的方法之一。有很多書及在線教程教你基本理財方法。維持財務健康不需要花費太多的時間，卻可以拯救你的生活。

#6: 要事優先

很多人以爲努力工作、忙個不停、消耗大量精力，對於經營自己的職業和生活來說是公平的。不是。要事優先意味着知道如何在“要辦的事情”中進行選擇，集中時間和精力處理最要緊的。

#7: 向上看，別低頭

當裁減成爲指令性文字的時候，發展你的團隊就不再是保證成功的最聰明的方式了。少花點時間在團隊成員身上，多注意老闆的需求。一旦你展示出自己正努力工作令他/她看起來不錯，你就會脫穎而出。然後老闆就更有可能給你提供你和你的團隊更好完成工作所需的資源。

#8: 提高技能

展示出你有興趣“升級”自己是有回報的-在2009年，你成長的能力也許比以往還要重要。隨着失業率創下新高，就業是嚴重的供大於求。 不注意跟同事和那些窺探你工作的人做比較，喪鐘將爲你而鳴。參與研討，做做功課，或其他方面的改善以跟上前沿的發展，如此，最大化實現個人對組織的價值。

#9: 自我促進

面對現實：通常，作出誰將升遷誰將降級的決定是沒有你參與的份的。決策者瞭解你和你所作所爲是非常重要的。定期與老闆會面或者定期給那些負責決定你的貢獻的人發送郵件。

#10: 關心所愛之人

以這樣或那樣的方式，待2009結束時，你將還在位置上，並希望那些你在乎的人也還和你在一起。雖然關注自己的工作和職業是重要的，也不要忽視那些令你的生活有意義的人。告訴他/她們，你在乎他/她們，花時間跟他們呆在一起“就爲了開心”。