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Glenn Montague
Professor Henry
CTS 288
12/06/2016
How to Keep Your Job
Now that you have it, how can you keep it? Information Technology (IT) jobs are readily
available for qualified individuals possessing the right skills and certifications. Once you have
landed your dream job in an IT department there are going to be periods of volatility in the
market that you will have to weather. Large companies such as NetApp periodically restructure
and layoff thousands of employees in a single action.
What can you do to prevent yourself from being on the layoff list? Sometimes the answer is
nothing; however there are a number of things that you can do to reduce the possibility of your
name coming up on the layoff list. When cutting time comes managers will want to keep their
most productive, least troublesome employees. One of the biggest things you can do is to make
yourself stand out in the mind of your supervisor. Anticipating the problems and needs of your
supervisors is a wonderful way to endear yourself to your manager. This does not mean brown
nosing or cozying up to that person, rather it means identifying what you can do to make their
job easier. Volunteering to take on new, difficult or unpleasant assignments will make you stand
out from your coworkers.
Dress the part. Many IT departments are very relaxed in their dress codes. One way to determine
what your dress should be is to dress similar to your supervisors. Sometimes this is not practical
such as if you are crawling around the data center running cable you might not want to wear a 3
piece suit. Dress for success and it will increase your confidence and standing in your
department.
Be on time. There are always going to be unforeseen circumstances that arise in life. Most
managers understand this and allow for occasional occurrences. Make it a point to be on time
every day so when the unforeseen does arise it will not contribute to a negative view of your
attendance. Regular attendance shows your commitment to the company and says a lot about
your character.
Work hard. When you are on company time perform the duties for which you were hired. This
means no hours of posting to Facebook or Twitter. Do not spend a lot of time on non-work
related internet browsing. Dont use company computer resources for private uses.
Avoid gossip and backstabbing. Dont fall into the trap of talking behind the backs of others in
your department. Resist saying anything bad about fellow employees and especially do not say

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anything bad about your supervisors or management. If your coworkers continually engage in
gossip just do not participate or tell them you are uncomfortable engaging in that behavior.
Dont be a complainer. Its easy to fall into the habit of complaining about things you do not like
about your job or supervisors. No supervisor wants to hear incessant complaining coming from
an individual. Complaining takes away from the positive work environment that most people
want. Exhibiting a positive attitude is much more productive and infectious than chronic
complaining. Dont criticize the company or your supervisors. These things have a way of
getting back to those in charge and putting you in an unfavorable light. Keep your thoughts on
politics and religion to yourself. You may be tempted to interject your leanings but resist it like
the plague. Never say Thats not my job. Always be willing to take on additional tasks. By
being flexible and a team player you display your value to the company.

Conclusion
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to keep your skills up to date. In the rapidly
changing IT industry whats hot today may be old news tomorrow. Talk with your manager and
read current industry publications to stay abreast of the current trends which will keep you as a
valuable member of your companys team.

Reference Sites
www.itworld.com
www.twc.state.tx.us
www.thebalance.com