How to Avoid Being Outsourced

Minimize the Effects Outsourcing Will Have on Your Job

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Updated on 11/20/19

Outsourcing is a common practice in the business world. As an employee, you have more control over your future employment than you think. Put the following directives into practice and you will minimize the effects that outsourcing will have on your job. Who knows — you may actually end up getting promoted!

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Increase Your Knowledge of the Business

business woman and man talking — Thomas Barwick/Stone/Getty Images

Many employees come to work every day with their "employee blinders" on. The only thing that they pay attention to is what's going on in their little corner of the company. These employees are often the first to be outsourced.

The employees that can avoid outsourcing have a broader knowledge of the company. They understand who the customers are and what they want, know the inner workings of the company and what makes it successful. Management can see their value to the company and are more likely to make efforts to find a job for them so the company can retain their valuable skills and knowledge.

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Expand Your Value-Add

USA, New Jersey, Jersey City, Business woman holding stack of documents in office — Tetra Images / Getty Images

Many employees are stuck in the day-to-day grind of working for a living. Though they arrive at work on time every day, work efficiently throughout the day and deliver expected results, that's about the extent of their loyalty to the company.

The employees that will avoid outsourcing look for ways to improve their job and their performance. They will make suggestions on how to be more efficient or how to save the company money. They innovate, and they will go the extra distance to serve the customer.

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Position Yourself for Management

Business Colleagues Having Meeting Together At Office — Tom Werner / Getty Images

When an area of the company is outsourced, someone will still have to manage the relationship and agreements with the organization that is providing the outsourcing service. Position yourself to be that person. Go back to college for a business degree and get the management skills you need to move up into new positions. If you already have a college degree, attend some training classes to brush up on your management and leadership skills.

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Network With Your Superiors

senior manager talks to the employee of the company — boonchai wedmakawand / Getty Images

When the final decision is made as to who will go and who will stay, a certain amount of "company politics" and favoritism will be taken into consideration. Right, wrong or indifferent, these factors have been around as long business itself. So you might as well align yourself with the people who will be making the decision. Smile and be friendly regardless of how you feel about an individual. You don't have to be fake and overly friendly, but professional office camaraderie will go a long way toward bolstering your perceived value in the company. That person may one day have your future employment in their hands.

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Be Prepared to Make a Move

Woman reviewing resume report at conference table — Shannon Fagan / Getty Images

When all else fails, be prepared by having your cover letter and resume up to date and ready to go. If the company's "grapevine" is buzzing about the possibility of outsourcing, heed the warning signs and don't delay. If the company is looking to promote somebody to manage the outsourcing contract, you'll be in a position to make a strong case for yourself. If the ax falls and you are out of a job, you will also be prepared to start a job search immediately.