How to Become Fireproof During a Recession March 8, 2015

During a recession most employees fear getting fired. This fear comes from the fact that companies downsize to
cut costs and improve their short term profits to reassure shareholders that the company is still profitable. When
making the decision to fire there are certain criteria that companies use to determine who is dispensable. The
following are steps to making an employee impervious to being fired.
Help your boss not be fired. Remember your boss is often just as afraid of being fired as you are. Even the CEO
can be fired by the board of directors. Therefore, if you become so essential to your boss that he thinks he can’t
get along without you, and that he needs you in order to not get fired himself, you have just become indispensable
to him. To become indispensable you need to know what your boss needs to prioritize in order for him not be
fired. Maybe he has certain targets to achieve that his boss requires and if you help him to move closer to those
objectives then you become too important to him to be fired. Think of your boss’s superior’s priorities and try to
understand what your boss is afraid of not being able to accomplish; then help your boss accomplish it.
Know your boss's MO. Does he like to be asked questions? Be kept apprised of what you're up to? Prefer broad
strokes or copious detail? Want to hear your opinion or just the facts? Does he prefer to communicate by e-mail,
phone or in person? Also, if your boss has a curmudgeon’s personality and is tough to become close to, then
you can become friends with someone he is close to such as his secretary or an office ally. This will eventually
bring him closer to you. In addition, networking with your boss’s superiors can get you noticed for promotions.
Become more efficient. Efficiency is defined as obtaining the highest return for the least amount of energy.
Efficiency is what all good machines are supposed to have and humans should be no different. Constantly ask
yourself how you can be more efficient. For example, if your boss has specific priorities that he must meet so his
boss is happy then reduce the amount of time wasted on emails, chat rooms, meetings, and busy work and focus
on what really matters to your boss and his superiors. You can reduce time wasted on emails by asking people to
remove you from CC lists that are unimportant and turning your cellphone’s internet off at work so you don’t get
side-tracked by things like What’s App.
Be in the top 20%. The top 20% performers in a company are almost never let go. To get to and remain in the
top 20% of your company you must always be training, learning, and improving. Find out what skills are most
valued in your department, company, and industry and commit yourself to training and acquiring those skills. Is
there a certain language you should learn to increase your value to the company? How about certain skills that
would accentuate your resume such as a course in derivatives management or leadership training course? Constant
improvement guarantees that you will stay on top and never be let go.
In conclusion, managing your boss, being efficient, and constant learning, will make you indispensable to your
department, guarantee you job security, and furnish you outstanding career prospects even during a recession.
How to Become Fireproof During a Recession

1. What priorities must your boss achieve so he isn’t fired? How can you help him achieve those
priorities?

2. Your boss’s MO: Does he communicate by listening and speaking or reading and writing? Is he a
micromanager or macromanager? Easy going or difficult personality? How can you adapt?

3. How can you become more efficient and what skills can you learn to become more valuable?