Your skills
No matter what kind of work you do, it is very important to keep your skills up to date. Be aware of your employer's priorities and what might be needed to stay ahead. Sometimes, it is obvious what you need to do. For example, your employer may be getting new equipment or implementing new procedures. Make sure you take the necessary training and learn the skills needed to operate the new equipment or carry out the new procedures.

In some instances, it may be harder to figure out how to stay ahead. Talk with your supervisor. Pay attention to company newsletters and reports. Take advantage of any training offered by your employer.

Yap Mei Cheng, a human resource consultant with more that 15 years of experience says: "Employers' expectations will be more job specific. They expect staff to have the ability to generate continuous profit despite economic tsunami. Ability to produce more with less and the ability to cut costs without affecting quality,"

She adds that this would be more difficult as workers have competitors for their jobs: "They must cope with competitors who are likely to be technically savvy, more agile, posses a faster speed of learning mostly because these competitors are usually younger. Workers should also be wary that there will be foreigners who are willing to work hard and at lower rates. Thus, workers must have the agility to renew themselves to be more relevant to changes."

Benefit from employer-provided training when it is available. Find low-cost national programmes to fill in the gaps. The idea is to look for chances to increase your knowledge in these three areas:

1. Skills directly related to the content of your work
2. Skills related to how your work is done, such as new computer systems
3. Skills related to the people side of work, such as communication or diversity training.

Make sure your supervisor knows what skill training programmes you take. Show your willingness to take on new tasks or to update how you accomplish your work. It's best to invest your time in learning the skills that will help you solve the company's problems, or that help you deal with customers. You have the normal channels to learn--classes and books, but you can also learn a great deal from others.

It is vital, especially when you're faced with a possible job loss, to network. You should seek out as many people as you can who have some knowledge that you need. Then offer to help them in some way'with something you know or something you can do. In all cases, target your knowledge. Don't waste time learning something you won't use to keep your job'at least not right now.

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