OK, I'll admit you can't truly become lay-off proof. We work in an era where broadcasting companies report their biggest profits ever in the morning and do sweeping layoffs across the country that very afternoon. When your owner is a slave to shareholders that are demanding consistently high returns, no matter what's going on economically, this is how they will choose to respond.
Depressing? Maybe. The way it is? Yup. So what can you do to help them decide you're worth keeping?
- Do your best. Sounds pretty simple doesn't it? But jaded or arrogant or lazy broadcasters who phone it in while socializing in the hallways aren't seen by management as necessary to the operation. I once saw it unfold before my eyes. In a meeting to discuss some changes to the station's lineup, an upper manager was adamant that a very sociable sportscaster was not going to move ahead. His loud laughter and jokester behavior in the newsroom while others worked, truly held him back. There were other things he could have and should have been doing. Have a little professional pride and put extra effort into your work.
- Don't be a Debbie or Dennis Downer. Attitude is such a big part of whether they'll want to keep you around. Yes, there are problems with every company and every situation. You're right, they really should fix that - whatever - but repeating it with frustration isn't helping anyone. Budgets have limits and managers have to juggle several priorities at once. State your case and then move on. Repeat after me: "Not my pig, not my farm."
- Learn something new. Maybe scheduling music isn't part of what you do but wouldn't it add to your skills to know how to use Selector? Imagine if a flu raced through the building, taking out the programming personnel, and you were able to put together the next day's music log. How valuable would that be? Plus it's another ability you can add to your resume.
- Offer to help. This doesn't mean "be a doormat". It means that when there's a challenge, you can become part of the solution. Anyone can stand on the sidelines and watch the barn burn down. Be the kind of person who grabs a bucket and tries to put out the fire.
- Be an ambassador for the station. Speak at school career days. Say yes when you're asked to MC a community event. Do it because it's what we do. We are privileged to have these cool jobs in this exciting industry. Give back and then make sure everyone knows. Tweet it, FB it, blog about it. Respond to listeners to email or tweet you. Expand your fan base. When you win, the station wins and you're more likely to be seen as essential.
Everything you need to do is within your power. It takes more energy but if you're not willing to do these things you are in the wrong business! Ultimately you are working for yourself. Even if you are ever unfortunate enough to be let go, you take your skills and work ethic with you. And in this business, switching jobs is a way of life. Sometimes it's our choice, sometimes it's not. We are here to communicate and avoid having to get real jobs! So many people get up every morning hating their jobs. They dig holes in bad weather. They wear paper hats and ask, "Do you want fries with that?" They do all sorts of dangerous and uncomfortable things while our butts are perched on padded chairs and we express ourselves for our pay. Never forget that.
I hope I've helped you stay employed through 2012. Happy New Year!!
