Job Cuts – When They Impacts You

It seems that not a day goes by that Becker’s Hospital Review doesn’t report some organization cutting jobs. So, when this day comes, and it’s your department or you, what do you do?

First, don’t wait until that day comes! Don’t assume that your job can’t be cut. Now is the time for you to start preparing!

• Develop a network: Use one or two of your preferred social media platforms. LinkedIn is considered more business-oriented, and the content you post there should be profession-related.
  • Complete as much of the profile as you are comfortable with.
  • If you wish for folks to reach you directly, secure a private email through Gmail, Yahoo, or some other source to add to your contact information, but be certain to manage that email inbox. Otherwise, just watch your LinkedIn account for messages.
  • Reach out to former and current coworkers, supervisors, managers, bosses – people you know and respect, and who know you, and connect with them. 
  • As LinkedIn identifies “others that you may know,” consider them. Be careful, as some may be voluminous posters and clog your LinkedIn inbox.
  • Post occasionally, specifically positive things about your organization. Those posts are seen by your organization and other potential future employers.
• Update your skills: Add a certificate course, secure additional college coursework, learn something new.
  • For health information management (HIM) professionals, I suggest revenue cycle courses and certifications, advanced coding certifications, compliance certifications, and more than ever before, IT-related coursework in topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
• Define your perfect job: If you’re considering a change or a progression in your current career, build the action plan you need to accomplish your goal now. 
  • Start your preparation ASAP.   
  • College courses aren’t cheap. If you’re considering getting a master’s or a doctorate, the cost could be substantial. 
  • Look at employer tuition options, grants, and scholarship options, and structure a savings plan whereby you direct a portion of your paycheck to fund it. 
  • Look at schools and ask what the minimum number of courses you must take through the school to get your new degree is. Find out what courses you’re allowed to take elsewhere, like at a local community college. Ask if the school will give you credit for your work experience.
• Find an Internal Mentor: Don’t hesitate to ask your boss if s/he would be a sounding board to help you advance your career at the organization. Ask if s/he would also recommend someone higher in the organization to be a co-mentor. The more visibility you can get, the better off you’ll be.
  • Volunteer for committees, ideally outside of your current department.
  • Participate in organizational events (picnics, marathons, cook-offs, etc.).
  • Participate in community organizations, committees, and events to build your network.
  • Participate in your professional associations – there may be someone there looking for someone like you.
  • Don’t do everything at once. You must be a valued member of the committee or event, so don’t compromise the time and contribution by spreading yourself too thin.
• Don’t forget your spouse: Keep them in the loop. They need to understand why you’re doing what you’re doing so they can be supportive of your plan and ambitions.

Programming note:

Listen to Rose Dunn report this story live today on Talk Ten Tuesday, 10 Eastern.