Surviving the recession

• By ELLYN COUVILLION
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Mar 22, 2009

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There’s not a lot employees can do about the situation, if the company where they work closes, said Anne Nowak, program director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s Career Center.

But there are things they can do that might help them keep their jobs, in the face of downsizing, Nowak (pronounced Novak) said.

“Two things make you stick out: good performance …. and (good) attitude,” she said.

“Be a nice person. Bosses don’t like to lay off people they like,” said Nowak, who is a certified job and career development coach.

A group of 11 men and women came to Nowak’s presentation, held in February at the Bluebonnet library branch and titled “Recession-Proof Your Job and Career.”

“Attitude is the big one” for employers, Nowak said.

A good attitude needs to be backed up, though, with good “soft skills” — showing up on time, being dependable, responsible and punctual.

Nowak said that seems basic — “this is not rocket science I’m going to tell you” — but that she’s surprised how often employers complain to her about the lack of just such skills in the workplace.

“I was surprised to hear this” so often, from employers in entirely different fields, Nowak said.

“If you show up late two days a week for a year, it will be noticed. You will be missing hours of work,” she said.

Aside from covering those basic skills, employees can also “think a step ahead” by volunteering for new projects, including projects in other departments, if possible.

“If departments or divisions are consolidated and you know all the people and what they do, you are a big step ahead,” Nowak said.

The more people you know and the more people who know you, the better, she said.