Seven Signs That Your Job Could Be in Jeopardy

The economic news in recent years is enough to make even the most assured professional feel unsettled about his or her job. It’s only natural to question your own career prospects when confronted with headlines about unemployment and some companies’ plans to reduce staff levels.

While it does no good to worry unnecessarily, there are ways to determine if your role is in real danger. Following are seven possible signs:

1. Your workload becomes much lighter. If you’ve noticed a considerable drop in the amount of work you’ve been assigned, or you just finished a large project and nothing else appears to be coming your way, there could be cause for concern. A dwindling workload may indicate reduced business and, consequently, less need for your services. Similarly, if you’re not being included in key projects that you were in the past — or tasks you typically handle are being assigned to others — there’s a chance your position may be eliminated.
2. Your work is cyclical in nature. Companies that are looking to trim personnel expenses often focus on departments or positions in which the work is cyclical, and the day-to-day workload could be supported with fewer people.
3. Your position isn’t viewed as a revenue-generator. When budgets are reduced, priority is given to employees who are inextricably attached to profit-producing projects. How pivotal is your role in generating revenue or reducing expenses? If you contribute directly to these efforts, you may be in a fairly safe position. If, on the other hand, your role is viewed more as a “nice to have” than “need to have,” you could be on shakier ground.
4. You’re not being kept in the loop. This is one of the biggest signs that your job is in jeopardy. If you discover decisions about your immediate work activities or projects are being made without you, you have cause for concern.
5. Corporate belt-tightening. A sharp change in the company’s attitude toward basic expenses could be a tip-off that personnel levels also are being considered. Implementing one or two cost-cutting measures might simply be good fiscal policy, but several can signal more widespread cutbacks. It’s important to note, however, that many companies that are belt-tightening aren’t necessarily looking to reduce headcount. They may be taking these steps to avoid letting people go.
6. You’re being asked to document everything. When management shows an increased interest in the status of your projects and the procedures for completing them, it could be because they want to get a better sense of how things are done and what still requires attention should your tasks need to be reassigned.
7. Your sector is struggling. If your company competes in an industry that is experiencing a down cycle, layoffs may be inevitable. If your firm is affected significantly, it may reduce the size of its workforce to deal with the economic realities it faces.

Spotting one or two of these signs may not be cause of alarm. In fact, it could be a signal that you need to step up your game. If you enjoy your job and want to stay, continue to focus on producing high-quality work and demonstrating your value to the organization.

That said, it never hurts to have a backup plan just in case you find yourself suddenly in the job market. Make sure your resume is up-to-date and reconnect with members of your professional network. Also consider enlisting the help of a recruiter who specializes in your industry. These professionals can provide you with valuable career advice and, because of their deep networks within the local business community, can alert you to promising employment opportunities. Layoffs can sometimes occur with little warning, and the more prepared you are for a job search, the more quickly you’ll be back on your feet and working again.