Today, I spoke with Stephen Viscusi, who is an author and America’s workplace guru. He talks about why it’s so important to focus on your current job and protect yourself now. I don’t completely agree with his view that your job is more important than your career, even in poor economic situations because you always have to be thinking about your next career move or you will lose your job (career relevancy). I think his best point is to have a good relationship with your manager. To me, that is extremely important because if you have a bad relationship, you won’t last there long.
Do you think your job is your most valuable asset or your career? How do you differ between both?
In a recessionary economy like today’s with unemployment on the rise as it has been since March for the first time in 8 years, your job (where you get your income today) is more important than your career. In a more positive economic time, your “career” is more important.
There have been hundreds of thousands of job loses since January of this year. Rather than “freak out” what 3-5 tips can you give people to focus on their job and not losing it?
They are as simple as coming in early and staying late, perfect the art of looking busy, have a personal relationship with your boss – “chemistry,” and know the “office gossip.” They all work as a formula. I guarantee it.
What are your 4 simple strategies for dodging the layoff bullet?
Be visible. Be easy. Be useful. Be ready.
Can you give an example of a worker that kept their job because they wore a “bullet-proof vest”?
The book release is September 2nd. There’s no data on the book’s success yet. However, I have independently seen all of these tips work.
I’ve blogged about the idea of being indispensable before. Do you think this is really possible considering the new workplace?
No one is indispensable, and there is no way to make yourself indispensable. This book is about building chemistry – a personal relationship with your boss, so that your co-worker gets fired and not you.
How does one use technology in the workplace for protection. Any humorous things you’ve heard of?
I suggest creating a Google or Technorati alert about your boss and your company. See if your boss gets a DWI.
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Stephen Viscusi is an author, columnist and radio talk show host in the workplace genre. Viscusi is the author of two books in the workplace genre; his new HarperCollins’ book is “BULLETPROOF YOUR JOB: 4 Simple Strategies to Ride Out the Rough Times and Come Out On Top at Work.”
Charles Gibson of ABC’s “World News with Charles Gibson” calls Viscusi “America’s Workplace Guru.” Viscusi is a frequent contributor on the morning show circuit and NPR’s “Talk of the Nation.” Viscusi began his own career as a headhunter and is still involved as a consultant in executive search.
