Be Ready, Secure your Career Future

In these trying economic times, it should be no surprise that some companies, even in BPO Philippines, may downsize their staff and lay off personnel. Has the thought crossed your mind what would happen if you might lose your job? It's best to have such thought, so that you would be motivated to prepare options, just in case. Work for the best, but expect the worst.

Be practical and be prepared. Here are some tips on how to land on your feet, if ever you would lose your job suddenly.


1. Emergency savings. Be conscientious on how you spend your salary. Set aside an amount in the bank that can be your emergency fund to cover at least 8 months worth of your regular living expenses.

Start by saving regularly and not spend money on unnecessary luxuries. Better put the emergency fund money in a separate savings account and do not ever touch this fund, only in case for emergencies such as sudden unemployment, illness, or a tragic incident. Do not touch this fund for anything else, but important emergencies.

With the emergency fund, you will be able to pay the usual bills while you look for employment and get back yourself on the career track. Prepare to be economical with your current lifestyle until you find a new job.

2. Refresh your resume. Always keep your resume updated. Go over your resume; change the layout clear and easy-to-read. Include your present job description along with your current achievements on the job so future employers can easily see what you are capable off.

3. Acquire new skills. Learning new skills keeps you relevant and versatile. Learn how to use office software applications better or be skillful with other software. Join seminars related to your job field, earn certification regarding to new skills.

Take a weekend classes offered at a college campus or university. Find an activity you're interested in, like photography, cooking, carpentry, and gardening. Such skills may prove useful for you.

Best to invest in postgraduate degree related to your job field or in another discipline. In today's job market, people with Master's Degree in Business, IT or other fields receive better attention from employers and human resources officers.

4.Socialize. Build up your social network, it's so easy now with the Internet to build bridges. Keep in touch with family friends, relatives, schoolmates and previous coworkers. Find out what they do, be interested and consider how you can help them in the future.

If you lose your job, someone in your social network would know of a job opening in the company s/he works for or in another company.

5. Regular check up job ads. Buy the Sunday paper for the classifieds, get online and browse through job portals and job sites.

Find out what skills are important in the job you're aspiring for and try to learn those skills. Some job ads also indicate the salary offered, so this will let you know how much salary to ask from your next employer. By looking at job ads, you will also be able to apply right away for a job as soon as you lose your present post.

6. Remain positive. If you're told by your company that you have to be let go, don't lose heart, as most companies offer a separation pay to such employees.

Review your company manual to find out how much you are entitled to. Compute for your unused days for sick leave and vacation leave. You can request help with your human resources department to compute the cash equivalent of your unused leaves for separation pay.

In many cases, these separation pay is paid in cash. When you receive your separation pay, you must save most of the money in your emergency fund. Don't be tempted to spend the money on things you don't need.

Another bright side to look at is that you're free to explore what lies in store for you outside the company. You could even take this chance to start your own business and be your own boss. Remain cheerful and find out what better opportunities are just waiting for you, in BPO Philippines.