Be More Valuable To Your Boss (and your company!)

Filed in archive Organization , Personal Development on July 8, 2010

© Horasis

In these times of company-wide lay-offs, how do you make yourself more valuable to your employer? While there are some things you will have no control over when a company downsizing is called for... like seniority and full-time vs. part-time status, three characteristics that bosses are looking at can set you apart from your colleagues: dedication, visibility and special skills.

How do you project a better image to your employer? Consider the following tips:

1.) Come in early at least once a week. Make it a point to be in the office before your boss gets there on that designated day. In fact, if you can... be there before everyone else gets there.

2.) Be the last one to leave at least once a week. As in the first tip, always try to increase your visibility to your boss by staying in the office longer than anyone else. Just make sure that when you do this, you really are doing your job and not just pretending to do so.

3.) Make sure you appear busy. Never, ever make it appear to your boss that you are not doing anything in the office. Again, be honest...really do your job.

4.) Make sure you are actually busy. You are paid to work. Make sure you are actually doing work when you are in the office.

5.) Learn new skills. Especially if you have been working in the same company for a long period of time, you always want to give employers reasons to keep you on board. Remember that many younger people will be able to do the same job you are doing for significantly less money. By adding new skills to those you already have, you are able to prevent your boss from hiring someone fresher to take your place.