All of us want the perfect job even though the perfect job does not exist. Yet, many of us seem to search for it throughout our work career. We demonstrate this by moving from company to company every few years. As humans we are not perfect. We bring our oddities and weaknesses to our work. When you add our weaknesses to all of these of the people we work with, you have a lot of imperfections. These imperfections impact the business.
Many people go from job to job in search of the perfect job or career. We do not like our manager, the company, the pay, the duties we have, or how much we have to do. The length of time a person stays in the same job has decreased significantly in the last decade. If you go to a restaurant on a routine basis you can see this for yourself. The people we see at a restaurant constantly change. The days of an employee receiving a gold watch for twenty years of work have gone away. In fact very few people even know about the gold watch tradition.
Employers still want a loyal employee. Due to the number of unqualified persons finding their way into the company, employers are cautious about new employees. Many employees do not demonstrate the work ethic, skills, knowledge, or customer service needed to help the company succeed. These are the employees who frequently leave a company after several months of work. Employers are not likely to advance employees until they have seen indicators the employee can be trusted to deliver results. Only then can the employee assume additional responsibilities. This typically takes eighteen months. Employees who expect and even demand advancement in pay and position within a few weeks or months lack a perception of business reality.
Now, lets get to the facts.
First, you do not have to come from an affluent background or have a prestigious education to succeed.
Most of us do not have a college degree from a prestigious university. As well, most of us do not come from families who had the ability to promote our education and career. If you come from a family that has “position” they can help you get a head start on a better career. Who you know makes a difference in starting a new career.
If we stop with the facts just noted we could accept mediocrity and fall into complacency. Many people do. Yet, lets consider the people who have made a success of their careers. A quick review of the lives of Steve Jobs, Donald Trump, Ronald Reagan, and many others shows they did not come from affluent families. A closer look at the people in our country who have made an impact often reveals their success came from hard work, not a family of affluence or a prestigious education. Thsoe factors help to get started, but they are not essential to success.
A good work ethic can overcome many perceived disadvantages. Career success is not out of the reach of any of us that apply ourselves to the tasks we have at work. We may not have the intelligence, background, or looks of others, but we can out work anyone. The advantaged often think they do not have to work as much. They often plan their away from work time while at work. They focus on their upcoming golf game with friends more than their projects at work. Their phone calls from work include talks to friends about weekend plans and a plan to slip out of the office to enjoy a round of golf or another leisure activity. If you work while they play, you can get ahead of them. Companies look for results. If you deliver results then you can overcome those who start ahead of you in a career through education or family background. Life and work are a marathon, not a sprint. We may start behind others but we can finish ahead of them if we are determined and spend the extra time to make it work.
What do coworkers think of you? Is your reputation the person who punches the clock and that is all? Do they think of you as “the slacker?” Are you the go to person to get things done? Watch the flow of questions by employees and you can see who they respect. This employee traffic flow tells you who has the greatest value. Develop the reputation of working the most in your department and making an impact. If a company needs to reduce its workforce you do not want to be the first person they think they can do without.
Second, every employee needs to help their organization obtain money while maintaining quality.
The impression many employees leave with their managers and employers is that they do not understand the role they have in a company. The person who understands this role and lives it will get the attention of his manager and the company. That attention will provide growth opportunities in pay and position.
Very few people would work for an organization that did not pay them for their work. Most of us would begin looking for a new employer if our paycheck bounced at the bank. Who would not? For some reason many people do not make the same connection to the company or organization for which they work. The company cannot exist unless it makes money. The company cannot pay employees if it does not have money. Each year the company we work for has to make more money in order to pay for increased costs like electricity, supplies, building maintenance, and our pay.
All too often employees, customers, and individuals looking from the outside of a company criticize businesses as money hungry. It is correct that companies are striving to earn money. It is also true that each employee is at work to earn money. Frankly it is hypocritical to criticize companies for seeking money when we also seek money. “They are in it just for the money” may apply to us also. Most businesses have a passion for what they do. That motivation is coupled with the need to make money to meet the needs of shareholders, like you and me. We and our employer have a mutually beneficial relationship. If the company succeeds, we succeed. If we succeed in our responsibilities, we help our company succeed.
The understanding of this critical factor should help fuel our motivation at work. Becoming a “company man or woman” impresses your manager and makes it easier to go to work each day. We benefit when our company succeeds.
Third, you will benefit as your company does.
Zig Ziglar has said you will eventually be paid what you are worth. We cannot expect our company to pay us more until we earn it. High paid athletes earned their contract by past performance. An employee told me once if I paid him more he would do more. He did not understand the concept. His comment also told me he was performing at a level below his capabilities. Would you promote this person? Would you pay him more?
Get by effort gets you get by pay and position. How much effort do you give to your job and projects? You cannot hide it. Our actions speak more than our words.
Each day we should do what we can to help the company make more money while maintaining quality. If you work for a publicly held company watch the stock price. Stay aware of trends that impact your company. The news and business news will provide information on the trends that can impact your company and thus you. Employees who sit on the bench are not in the game. Stay in the game with your thoughts and actions.
Fourth, stay positive at work.
It is easy to become negative when you are tired, a project does not go well, personal issues occupy your thoughts, policy changes at work, etc. Remain careful with your comments to coworkers. A discussion among coworkers about recent policy changes at the company can turn into a negative conversation. This can lead to perceptions you do not support the company. None of us agree with everything the company does. Even the CEO or owner implements policies they do not like or want. They implement unpopular policies because of government regulations, economic trends, or changing needs of consumers. These changes are not popular but often necessary.
When comments can turn negative you need to take the right action. Walking away from the conversation works well. A quick comment that you have work to do as you walk away can break the negativity. You can also indicate you support the company. I do not understand the decision, but there are lots of things I do not understand.
At some point every company will need to change its workforce. That is a nice way to say they need to layoff employees. Companies must change their products and services to match changing trends and needs of consumers. This means the management of a company must make some tough decisions and close departments that no longer serve the consumer or make a profit. The employees who work in these areas may lose their jobs or have an opportunity to transfer to another department. Comments from employees can take a negative approach. Human nature is to blame someone else for the situation. We may even get very upset at the management of the company. Yet, they are only making decisions necessary to keep the company profitable. We prune our trees and bushes around our homes so they can grow more. The same occurs with business. Layoffs are not enjoyable for anyone. Yet, if it impacts you consider the why of the action and move forward to your next opportunity as quickly as you can. Layoffs often occur to people who have good performance. Ask for a letter of reference from your manager that includes the reason you were let go and how you have performed before you leave.
One final issue about pay and layoffs. “After all I have done for this company…” is a common comment after a layoff. Keep in mind that we have received pay for our contributions to the company. Beyond that pay they owe us nothing. Some believe the length of time at a job/company warrants our staying with the company or not working as hard. Companies appreciate loyalty and longevity. Layoffs typically begin with the last hired, showing appreciation for longevity at the company. Yet, longevity and loyalty cannot replace essential business decisions.
The philosophy and understanding of business we have directly impacts our success. You can alter your work philosophy so it enhances your career opportunities. No one else can do that for you.
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