Did you know that in one week one percent of you colleagues and associates will change jobs? Look at it another way. In one year, over 50 percent will change jobs or positions. Wow! Those are some staggering numbers. Unfortunately, its not likely to change for a while. Now, look around the office. Who wont be there next year?

I didnt mean to scare you. So, lets talk about the good news in this state of affairs. There are strategies that you can apply that will keep you a step ahead of your colleagues in terms of job security. Nothing can guarantee that you will keep your job but implementing proactive strategies will keep you ahead of the crowd.

Lets talk about you and your work relationships. Do associates think highly of you? Are they confident in your abilities? Do they want to be on your team? Are you a leader within your group? All of these perceptions by your peers will enhance your boss opinion of you.

What about your boss opinion of you? Can you be depended upon? Are you a team player? Are you completing your assignments when they are due? Do you miss work often? Is the company supportive of your projects?

To help deduce the answers, here are some questions to consider. When was your last evaluation? Was it written? Were there issues?

When was your last raise or promotion? Have you been overlooked for a choice assignment? Do you sense any uneasiness in your working relationships? Does your boss look you in the eye? Do you feel uncomfortable at work for no definite reason?

Evaluate the above questions. Telltale signs might be either supporting continued employment or spelling impending doom. You need to read between the lines and you will know if you will be among the one percent of employees who changes jobs next week.

The reality show question of it is: Are you fired and just don't know it?

JoAnn Hines

JoAnn Hines is a packaging diva. She has nearly 30 years of experience in the industry including her work as the packaging expert to the U.S. Small Business Administration and traveling to China to lead a packaging delegation. Recognizing her expertise NBC TV featured her on their consumer segment, Can you open it? Her advice and articles appear in virtually every US packaging industry publication, numerous business and international publications, and website portals including "PackExpo.com", "PackagingUniversity", "Packaging Business", "Packaging Network", "Packaging Horizons Magazine," "Packaging World," "Packaging Digest," "Shipping and Distribution Magazine," "Warehouse Management," "Traffic World". As a featured keynote speaker at trade shows and conferences, she educates thousands of people around the world about intricacies of packaging.

Joining the packaging industry in 1976, Hines worked in sales for several years and began consulting during the 1980s. She is an accomplished author, speaker, publisher, marketer, and e-commerce expert. She has won numerous leadership awards and among other honors was named "One of the 50 most influential packaging leaders in the 20th century." She is the founder of Women in Packaging, Packaging Horizons Magazine, Packaging Career Hotline, Packaging Coach and Packaging University.