Snapdeal has asked 200 people in its consumer service department to shape up or ship out. Few months ago Zomato was news for employee layoff. Tiny Owl, Foodpanda, SoftBank-backed real estate startup Housing.com all reportedly pink slipped a couple of hundred employees as  attempts of restructuring and cost cut. A couple of months ago we read that Standard Chartered Bank was gearing up to axe senior management roles in India. One of the leading financial daily had reported Samsung joining the queue as well.

Layoff is all around us and is going to stay. Just as we celebrate a new job with a jumping hike, we need to gear up to face the layoff which we often do not. Layoff news is followed by most expected reactions – finger pointing at the organization, inhuman handling of crisis situation and more and truly, am not completely denying this but today I would like to address those who are on the other side of the fence..receiving the pink slip.

These are true and harsh realities of life and if you are looking at your career seriously and progressively, you would have to take more proactive approach to building and safeguarding ones career. I read senior HR influencer, Gurprriet Singh mention about Circle of Concern and Centre of Control and think it aptly fits in here.* ( excerpts from Gurprriet Singh )

The reference to Circle of Concern and Circle of Control is to drive home the point that you would be better empowered if you spend more time with Circle of control.

To safeguard your career and career moves you need to invest your time to build the strong wall.

1. Constantly upgrade your skill – My career goal every year is to learn one new skill related to my work. It could be a certification, a new style of facilitation, assessment or anything which is relevant and new. New skills keep you updated and prepare you for the future. Also, when the organization has to shortlist people, it would like to retain people who are multi talented and whose skills could be leveraged most.
2. Build a Diverse Network – Knowledge and contacts of diverse network always gives a better opportunity to look for a job. At any given point not all industry gets impacted. If you would have invested your time and nurtured interest in diverse industries, you are in a better situation to land up with a job
3. Build Your Emotional Quotient – The saying goes, When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. This emotional maturity and balance does not come in one day. It’s a result of slow and organic farming. Technical skills can only take you to a certain point, beyond the tangible lies the emotional skills. Invest in it if you haven’t so far.
4. Pay attention to Future and do not sit on Glory of past – Its quite common in us to to keep singing songs of our past achievements. The famous Bollywood says, you are only as good as your last movie. Now that’s a bit too harsh but the fact is,past is past. What can you do excellent now, in future is where your thoughts should run. Else the victim mode can take a huge toll on you and your career.

One thing which is going to stay is competition and uncertainty. One thing which is going to stay is YOU. Now its for you to decide how would you like to shape this YOU.