Corporate America has changed since the "good old days”. Gone are the days of climbing the corporate ladder -- most of the rungs have been removed -- and getting your gold watch after 40 years of service is history.
This is the age of instability. Since the late 1980s:

• Nearly half of all U.S. companies were restructured.
  
• 80,000+ firms were acquired or merged.
  
• Several hundred thousand companies were downsized.
  
• Over a half million organizations sought bankruptcy protection in order to continue operating.
  
• Almost a half a million companies failed.

On the other hand:

• Some organizations expanded rapidly.
  
• Others revamped their product lines or entered new markets.
  
• Organizations overhauled their systems and/or procedures or installed new technologies.
  
• Others relocated to different facilities, regions or countries, shut down some operations, made sweeping budget cuts or sought deregulation.
  
• Certain organizations brought in a new management team, tried to change their corporate culture or saw a change in ownership.
  *The Employee Handbook for Organizational Change (Pritchett/Pound, 1990).

Sounds like a wild ride, doesn't it? Jobs and companies will come and go; hence, there is no longer job security. However, you can control your employment stability.

In order to meet the challenge of today’s job market you must display the following traits*:

1. Become a "quick change" artist.
   
2. Commit fully to your job.
   
3. Speed up.
   
4. Accept ambiguity and uncertainty.
   
5. Behave like you’re in business for yourself (adopt the mindset of the self- employed).
   
6. Stay in school (keep your skills current).
   
7. Hold yourself accountable for outcomes (or someone else will).
   
8. Add value (flexibility, multi-task).
   
9. See yourself as a service center.
   
10. Manage your own morale.
    
11. Practice "Kaizen" (the quest for a better way).
    
12. Be a fixer; not a finger pointer.
    
13. Alter your expectations (including raising them).

*New Work Habits for a Radically Changing World (Pritchett, 1994)

There is no way you can guarantee that you will not be affected by layoffs. Even if your position is not eliminated, you will still feel the impact. These situations can be as difficult for the "survivors" as for those who are terminated.

No one is truly safe during this "re-structuring" frenzy in the United States. However, a strong performer has a better chance when seeking new employment.

The following is a checklist that will help you be ready for whatever happens:

• Prepare a well-written resume and keep it current!
  
• Know your marketability - do you have what the market wants?
  
• Know your finances- personal and employers monies (401K plan, profit sharing, bonuses, etc.).
  
• Reduce your debt - don't stay in a negative situation because you have to; don't be a "slave" to your job.
  
• Have at least 6 months of liquid assets for living expenses (12 months if you're considering self-employment) and a line of credit on your home for emergencies only!
  
• Establish an active professional network.
  
• Join at least two dynamic organizations that have some "power players".
  
• Pass along information; the flip side of networking; have the reputation of being approachable.
  
• Develop a relationship with 2-3 recruiters who specialize in your area of expertise.
  
• Use local or trade publications to keep current on what's going on in your community, industry and/or field.

If you can check off everything on this list, then your employability will be more stable. You don’t have to leave your fate in the hands of others. Take control, be prepared and gain the advantage. The most important items on this checklist are; reducing your debt, having an active professional network and knowing your marketability.

Maintaining low debt requires constant efforts and reminders. It is contrary to “the American way”. Overextensions on loans regarding homes (100% financing-yikes!), automobiles and furniture/home electronics flood the media. Temptation is great, but consider the debt load should your income be eliminated or greatly reduced. Investing in education, training or retraining is debt worth the risk because of its return on investment. All other debt items except a home only depreciate with time. But monthly obligations on a fully financed mortgage for $150,000 plus home are beyond this author’s comprehension!

Having an active professional network also takes time and nurturing. Membership alone in related professional associations is inadequate. Being on committees and on the board is more effective and increases your involvement and access to members. It also increases your status and credibility with fellow members and potential employers.

Knowing your marketability is achieved by continually monitoring the “Want Ads” or job postings on the Internet. The employers are telling you exactly what the market wants. Often these ads/postings will look like a Christmas “wish list”. However, look for words like; preferred, a plus, desired, or, etc. These will tell you how much latitude the company has in their requests. As you evaluate these ads/postings always keep in mind your transferable skills. Consider your background in terms of accomplishments/capabilities not just duties/responsibilities. Career changing is beginning to become a necessity. Employers are looking for a workforce that can quickly adapt with their changing needs. Flexibility and adaptability with minimal effort is now a fact of life.

Job security has gone the way of the dinosaur. The workforce must become focused on employment stability. The workforce unfortunately must also take full ownership of this concept to benefit not only the employers but more importantly benefit themselves and reduce (you’ll never eliminate) the amount of upheaval that results in job loss.