The middle of an economic slump might seem an odd time to run a cover story about getting ahead, as we are doing with the September issue — the more so with an audience that has no expectation of being on the fast track. As the cover story shows, facility managers value stability more than opportunities for rapid advancement, and few report that compensation is their biggest concern. A whopping 90 percent are either very satisfied (44 percent) or somewhat satisfied (46 percent) with their jobs. What politician wouldn’t love those approval ratings?
But the purpose of the cover story isn’t to get you to look for a new job. Rather, the story is based on recognition of reality. In our annual FM Pulse survey, 36 percent of respondents reported that their departments had eliminated positions in the past year. And 18 percent reported an increase in outsourcing.
Admittedly, those numbers reflect the weak state of the economy. And with first quarter corporate profits at a record high level, the worst of the job cuts are probably behind us. But even when the economy is fairly healthy, facility managers are hardly immune to downsizing. Two years ago, before the economy crashed, the FM Pulse survey showed that 22 percent of respondents’ departments had cut jobs in the previous year.
What’s more, despite the struggling economy, some facility departments did add positions. As the cover story shows, that number was 15 percent in the past year, the same as it was the year before, and 26 percent the year before that. As much as facility managers value stability and like their jobs, things do change on the employment front.
What does it take to be prepared for those changes? Mostly things that will help you do a better job in your current position, like improving interpersonal skills and understanding the needs of the organization. The cover story will give you the details.