Anyone who has worked in technology or in telecom knows how difficult and tenuous jobs in these industries are.

Today's employees have to be resourceful and prepared for the possibility of a layoff, restructure, merger or acquisition that may cost them their jobs.

Anyone who has a job, has had a job or is looking for a job knows that skills and experience are important, but while they may help you get a job, they won't always help you keep it. That's not to say that your skills and experience aren't important, just that they will not always be enough to ensure that you receive the promotions that you deserve, or maintain your employment.

If you have ever lost your job to a layoff, a restructure, a merger or other corporate game-playing, you know how difficult the adjustment can be. No one likes losing their job (even if they hated it in the first place) because it puts them in the position of having to look for another job. And, multiple and frequent layoffs in these fast-paced, dynamic industries are not uncommon. We've all been on job interviews and we know the drill--they're a great company, they really need your skill set, you'll contribute to the bottom line and the culture is informal. Blah, blah, blah. Once you are employed, it's sometimes a different story.

The reality of this scenario is you may be the company star one day and gone the next, the company operations will continue (or not) in spite of your best efforts and your skill set may not be a rarity.

So, how do you protect yourself and keep your options open?

We all have certain beliefs about employment that hold us back from realising our potential in a job, or that keep us from seeking another job if the one that we have isn't working for us.

Sometimes, we will hold onto a job until it leaves us, rather than accept the fact that it isn't working. Why?

Here are the top ten myths that employees believe about their employers that prevent them from realising their potential as employees and in their careers and that make them prime targets for layoffs:

 

• The company will take care of me if I work hard and I am loyal.
  Wrong. It used to be like this, but not any more. In today's business world, there is little reward for loyalty.
  TIP: Employees need to adopt an entrepreneurial attitude towards work - work hard, manage your career, accept new challenges and responsibilities that add to your marketability and your skill set.

   

• I perform my job like no one else can.
  Wrong. You're there to do a job that could be done by any number of people. Never think you're indispensable.
  TIP: Keep your skills updated so you can be prepared for any unexpected events such as a layoff, job loss due to an acquisition or merger. Take advantage of any training and tuition reimbursement programs that your company offers.

   

• I have been working here too long to get laid off.
  That may sound na飗e in today's job market, but some people do believe that. The most senior employees in a department typically make the most money, so they are the first to go. Remember that the company's management will take care of itself, not you. Look at who gets let go during a layoff. Rarely do the senior staff or upper management get the axe.
  TIP: No matter how long you have been working for a company, they can always let you go. Keep yourself marketable by keeping your skills updated, your resume current and by knowing what's going on in your industry.

   

• My skills must be worth a lot to my employer because they're paying me well.
  Wrong again. Employers pay what the market requires. And that's determined by the demand for the skills they need and how many people there are to fill that demand. Three years ago, web developers were making top dollar. Today, many are unemployed. It's all a matter of supply and demand.
  TIP: If you are a highly compensated employee, you're a prime target when layoffs occur. Try to defer a portion of your compensation in the form of extra time off or other benefits, if possible. If you do want to keep your job, and that's an option, are you prepared to accept a pay cut?

   

• My education and skills are highly desired in today's market, so I have nothing to worry about.
  Well, it depends on your industry, what kind of skills you have and what's currently popular. It's another supply and demand issue. Web development is a good example--this is not the time to be searching for a web development job. The technology arena can be especially volatile in this regard. Remember the Y2K issue? COBOL programmers were in demand and could name their price. Now, few companies need them.
  TIP: If you want to advance in your chosen industry or field, you need to keep your skills current and be flexible. Familiarise yourself with changes in technology relevant to your industry.

   

• I work too many hours to belong to professional organizations and to network.
  Very bad move. If you don't network with other professionals, then you are missing a great opportunity to find out about jobs that never get advertised. Professional organizations offer an opportunity to make a wide variety of contacts. You can also meet potential customers for your company's goods and services at these events.
  TIP: Don't forget to attend meetings and events, including trade shows, that are sponsored by organisations outside your field or industry. It's a great way to make contacts and to learn about job opportunities that others in your field are not applying for.

   

• Myth: My employer has no idea how much time I spend surfing the Internet or answering personal email.
  Reality check: How many employees have lost their jobs by believing that? Web monitoring software is very popular with employers and is increasingly sophisticated. Your employer knows how much time you spend on the Internet, what web sites you're visiting and can even monitor your email. A good policy is to keep your web surfing to a minimum and keep it work related.
  TIP: Many viruses are spread by email from outside the company's intranet. You could be liable for damages if you introduce a virus that compromises operations.

   

• Myth: I was hired for my skills and experience. And my skills and experience will ensure that I keep my job and get promoted.
  Reality check: Not exactly. That may have been true when you were hired. But unless you're the only person in the entire company who can manage the network or, for example, process payroll, there's a rule to remember. Companies hire using objective criteria and they make retention decisions based on subjective criteria. So, while they may have hired you for your skill set, education and experience, once they get to know you, office politics come into play and it becomes a matter of who you know and who knows you.

   

• Myth: I work really long hours, so my employer knows that I am working hard and love my job.
  Reality check: As far as your employer knows, you may be working long hours because you don't know what you're doing. Don't think that productivity equals long hours. If it takes too long to do your job, you may have too much to do and over time, the stress will make you less productive and will lead to burnout.
  TIP: Prioritisation is an important skill and if you don't prioritise your work, you could be working harder and accomplishing less. Let your supervisor or manager know, tactfully, that you have too much on your plate or have too many 'emergencies' and ask for suggestions on how to prioritise them.

   

• Myth 10: My supervisor or manager knows how good I am at my job and is aware of my accomplishments.
  Never assume that anyone knows what's going on in your work life - they are probably too busy managing their own career, workload or trying to keep their own job to pay attention to the details of yours.
  TIP: Schedule meetings with your manager on a regular to present your accomplishments and to request feedback on your performance. Be sure to keep your own records of projects you have worked on, your accomplishments and any special skills you have acquired.

Employees need to adopt an entrepreneurial attitude towards work and to treat their career as they would a business, establishing goals and objectives and then ensuring that they meet those objectives.

Sometimes the objectives must be changed in the face of changing circumstances. Are there other possibilities or other options available?

What have you learned from your experiences and what would you do differently should the situation present itself again?

If you invest time and effort into your career and manage it well, you can expect to receive rewards. Understanding the employer/employee relationship and adopting realistic expectations from your employer is the first step in this process.

Strategix Group provides business development, e-business consulting and strategic planning services for businesses who need creative solutions that maximise profitability and customer satisfaction.