By N Ravindran

MOST countries are going through a tough patch economically. Simple economics says that when people don't have as much money available to them, or are just not willing to spend it, they don't buy as much. When they don't buy as much, companies can't sell as much.

When companies can't sell as much, they don't have a lot of money to grow, or worse, they may have to shrink. One of the first places they shrink is in payroll or jobs. No job is safe - whether you are laid off depends usually on what your role brings in terms of contribution to the bottom line of the firm. This logical progression causes many to worry when markets face a downturn. But there are some concrete things you can consider to boost your employability.

No matter what kind of job you have, you can increase your chance of keeping your job in tough times. At the very least, the following three actions can help you recognise your own accomplishments and feel better about your work. They might even help you get a promotion let alone keep you out of the layoff pool.

1. Take charge of your job performance evaluations. Be proactive.
2. Find out what your employer needs done and learn the skills to do it.
3. Follow the standard rules about work behaviour. Check yourself on these.

Performance evaluations
Your employer would have a formal system of annual job reviews. Make that system work for you. If there is no formal system in place, schedule annual or quarterly meetings with your supervisor to go over what you've accomplished.

Set a limited number of major goals for the year. Make sure these goals are attainable. Agree with your supervisor about how you will show your success. Take time to record notes about what you're accomplishing. Keep these all easily filed for reference.

It's very easy to keep some sort of evidence for every result you achieve. One way is to save compliments, praise, and appreciation you receive from others. File appreciative E-mails. Ask satisfied colleagues and customers to write a formal note about your work.

At your performance review, organise your notes to show how you've accomplished annual goals. Elaborate about other goals added during the year. Use your review to display your skills and accomplishments. Tie in your achievements to your department's or organisation's highest priorities.

Ensure that your supervisor looks back over the whole year, instead of just on recent situations or problems. Demonstrate your interest in your work and your desire to do or learn more. If something needs improving, be the first to mention it. Sketch out a plan to correct any problems. List what new skills you will learn next.

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