Expand Your Career Opportunities by Branching Out
Most people realize that to maximize your earning potential, you should endeavor to learn as much about your job and how it relates to the “big picture” as possible. Not everyone has grasped however that you can expand your big picture by branching out.
Let’s say you work in the Shipping and Receiving department of a small company. You’ve been at it for a few years, and you’ve learned the zip codes of most major cites, know exactly how much it costs to overnight a 12 pound package to Des Moines, and have become pretty good friends with the FedEx driver. But, business has been stagnant for awhile, the other two Shipping and Receiving workers have been there longer than you (but are nowhere near retirement age), and you know you’re not getting a promotion anytime soon. What do you do?
Learn everything you can about a related position. If your company has a Purchasing department, for example, look into opportunities there. You’re already somewhat familiar with your vendors, and probably know which deliver on time, which are constantly back-ordered, etc. Start by searching the web for all the free information you can get your hands on. Talk to someone from that group about the particulars of the job.
Or, let’s say you’ve been installing heating and air conditioning equipment for 10 years, but here again, business is off. You may want to try your hand at sales. You’re obviously familiar with the equipment, and I’ve found that customers tend to view recommendations from those with technical knowledge of the product with a little more import than someone without those qualifications. In my tenure as a personal computer technician, I helped close many a sale for newer salespeople who didn’t know RAM from ROM, or a floppy disk from a megaflop.
Depending on your company’s policy, you may qualify for tuition reimbursement should you choose to get college credits. You may not even need a degree or much additional training to get your foot in the door of a new position. And if business slumps to the point that pink slips start to fly, you will have the advantage of having experience in more than one field, which will make you more valuable, and therefore less likely to be let go.
By the same token, if you’re a job seeker, you can increase your odds of landing something if you’ve taken the initiative to explore different fields, especially if those occupations dovetail with each other.
To summarize, optimize your options by expanding your knowledge and skill set horizontally as well as vertically.
Dealing With Needy Co-workers
In today's business climate, many companies are down-sizing, leaving the remaining employees with more than ever on their plates. To make matters worse, some employees are finding themselves having to essentially baby-sit co-workers. There's always that one that didn't take notes during the meeting, hasn't put forth the effort to learn the new software system, or never seems to "have enough time" to perform the duties which they are assigned. Left to their own devices, these people will suck the life out of every other employee who allows it. Although this can be a delicate situation, the onus will be on the put-upon worker to take the initiative.
Talk to the offender
Explain to them - in a non-confrontational manner - why it isn't fair to the other employees if one isn't pulling their weight. Suggest they speak with their boss to determine what additional training, resources, etc., they may require to perform their assigned duties.
Approach your boss
Be sure to stick with the facts: "Jill has asked me for help on several occasions over the past few weeks. Do you think some up-training may be in order?" Or, "I'm afraid I'm going to miss my deadline if I continue to assist Jim with his project". Avoid making accusatory, or negative comments, or you may appear to be the bad guy in the eyes of your boss. Remember, if you’re having to do your own job and half of someone else’s, it won’t be long before your performance suffers.
Document your efforts
It may be wise to keep a log of the time you spend helping other employees. If you work with a computer, just keep a notepad file on your taskbar and make a notation when you’re called away from your duties to assist another employee. Not only will this come in handy should you be questioned about a perceived downtick in your production, it will also speak positively come review time.
Regardless of how you handle the situation, make sure you always offer solution-oriented suggestions. Whether it always appears that way or not, you're all on the same team and your actions will generally be viewed in that light.
Everyday Resolutions
I was never big on New Year’s resolutions. I learned early on that most never see Groundhog Day. But, I believe in the sentiment behind most resolutions; to stop doing something detrimental or unhelpful, or to start doing something beneficial. I just don’t know that the odds of being successful in the endeavor are any greater when begun on January 1st than on any other day.
For that reason, I’ve come up with some resolutions which I can begin any day of the year. I resolve to:
* See things from the other person’s perspective
* Recognize that not everyone sees everything from my perspective
* Take a moment to appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given
* Try to learn something new about my job
* Constantly be on the lookout for ways to improve how I do what I do
* Make my workplace a more pleasant, energetic, and productive environment
* Try to learn something new about a related position
* Recognize that people are not robots, and not everyone is going to be “on their game” all the time
* Not beat myself up when I make a mistake
* Never forget that my job is a part of who I am; it does not define me in entirety.
No matter what you resolve to do, don’t forget you don’t have to start on January 1st. You should begin as soon as you feel equipped to deal with the matter at hand. And, if you fall off the proverbial wagon, get up, dust yourself off, take a breath. And get back on.
And have a great 2010.
Give Thanks For Work
People love to complain about their jobs. I know I’ve complained about the jobs I’ve held over the years. The guys over in (fill in the blank department) make more money. The boss just doesn’t get me. The vending machines have too many granola and trail mix offerings and not enough candy bars.
But, I submit that if you have a job - any job, as we enter the 2009 holiday season - you should consider yourself lucky, as it appears that one out of ten Americans who are ready, willing and able to work have been unable to find employment. One out of ten.
I must admit I feel a little ashamed, as I look back over the petty workplace grievances I’ve voiced over the years. I didn’t have it so bad, I realize in retrospect, and I am suddenly thankful for the good times I’ve had, and the experience I’ve gained.
On average, we spend about 37% of our lives working. Over a third of our lives, and over half of our waking hours are spent pursuing our livelihoods. Our jobs are more than just a paycheck, or somewhere we go for 40 or so hours a week. Our job, our career, our workplace is a microcosm of our lives; it is a community in which we interact, and grow, and develop relationships. As I look back over the years, I realize I have much to be thankful for, in terms of my experience as an employee. Among them:
* The co-workers who cancelled their weekend plans to help me move on short notice, and wouldn’t even accept gas money.
* The manager who “looked the other way” when I was out of PTO, but needed time off to deal with personal issues.
* The bad jokes, silly “spam” e-mails, and small-talk in which my co-workers have chosen to include me, because it means they thought enough of me to share a small part of their lives.
* The trust and confidence placed in me by those with whom I shared a place of employment.
* The manager who pulled me aside one day and told me how close I was to taking a giant step forward, and what I needed to focus on to achieve that step.
* The manager who pulled me aside one day and told me how close I was to being out the door.
* The associate who bought all of my “moving sale” items - at full price - the day before my moving sale.
* The co-workers who invited me out to “happy hour” knowing I was miserable beyond words.
* The co-workers who sought my opinion, and approval, and friendship.
* The opportunity to learn, and hone, and master a skill.
* The means to provide for myself and my family.
* The opportunity to add, no matter how small the measure, to the Gross Domestic Product of the United States of America for the past 35 years.
So, if you are lucky enough to have a job this holiday season - any job, I humbly suggest you pause, and reflect, and be thankful for the opportunity. And, take a moment to think about the estimated 15 million Americans who are ready, willing and able to work but have been unable to obtain employment, because no matter how bad you think your job is, any one of them would likely trade places with you in a heartbeat.
Popular Halloween Costumes For Work
Well, it’s almost Halloween and if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on your perspective) enough to get to wear a costume, I’m sure you’ll want to know what everyone else is wearing. Especially if you’ve ever spent hours putting together the perfect costume, only to find someone else has the same costume. Only better.
And - I think there’s a strict limit of 16 (insert name of most popular character from most recent vampire-themed movie or TV show here) per workplace.
Maybe you don’t care to go to work in costume. Maybe you’re just doing it because everyone else is. In that case, I suggest a more traditional selection. Little Red Riding Hood, or Fred Flintstone, or the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters.
If you’re more the contemporary type, you may go for (insert name of most popular character from most popular movie or TV show which is not vampire-themed here). Or, as Creed from The Office.
If you totally forgot it was Halloween until you get to work and see everyone else in costume you can typically throw something together in a hurry and on a shoestring.
You’d be wise to avoid costumes which are too risqué. A good rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t want your in-laws to see you wearing that thing, you probably don’t want your boss to see you in it either. (Remember, photos will be snapped, and you don’t want to end up as “October” on next year’s company calendar).
Others to avoid: Political figures (Obama was so 2008, ditto Sarah Palin), celebrities who haven’t been in the news much lately (although I do know where you can get a deal on a gently worn Donald Trump getup), and Carrottop.
Also, do not go as Kate Gosselin, the “Octomom”, or Bernie Madoff, no matter how big a laugh you think you’ll get. Trust me on this one.
Finally, depending on which poll you believe, here are the Top 10 Halloween costumes for the office in 2009:
10. Hannah Montana
9. Michael Jackson
8. That one guy at work who’s always eating everyone else’s leftovers from the fridge
7. Harry Potter
6. Zombie
5. 60’s flower child
4. The crazy cat lady from the office
3. Fairy princess
2. Any character from any movie or TV show with the word “star” in it, i.e. Star Trek, Star Wars
1. David Letterman
Happy Halloween!
Holiday Survival Guide For the Workplace
Well, “the holidays” are here again, and if you’re like most people, there are holiday traditions which you will revel in, tolerate, endure, or suffer through at your workplace. I have therefore put together a survival guide to help you deal with all the shenanigans.
Don’t be “that guy” at the office holiday party
There was a time when it was absolutely acceptable to get completely sloshed, dance on the buffet table with a lampshade on your head, and tell the boss off at the office holiday party. Those days are gone. Believe me, everything you do and say at the party will be scrutinized by your higher-ups. And, you don’t get a free pass just because they get more plastered than you. They’re the boss, and you’re not. It’s okay to have a good time and socialize, but you don’t want to hear a symphony of hushed whispers follow you down the hall on the Monday after the party, nor do you want that photo of you doing the “YMCA” with your flashing Rudolph tie wrapped around your head looking like Bret Michaels after an all-nighter to become the most popular screen saver ever.
Put a little thought into your “Secret Santa” gift
Yes, I know, it’s a $10 limit or whatever, but if you take a few minutes to think about it, you can select a nice, practical gift. In my opinion, gift cards are perfectly acceptable as long as they’re something most everyone could use, since some Secret Santa gifts will be selected sight unseen. And, I seriously doubt that Frank (who’s approaching 60) really wants a gift card to the local tanning salon. If most of your associates are coffee drinkers, you could do a mug with three or four one ounce sample bags of various blends. Or a nice photo frame. Or a little grooming kit with clippers and a file and such. You want to stay away from anything which could be considered a “gag” gift, unless that‘s the agreed-upon format. Also, avoid Chia anything.
Avoid giving “kiss-up” gifts
Secret Santa notwithstanding, you should avoid giving gifts to your superiors unless 1. It’s an accepted practice at your workplace, 2. You give as part of his team, and 3. It’s a tasteful gift. You can kick in on that glass sculpture for his desk, but do not also give him or her anything which is even moderately expensive, or personal. Believe me, if your boss’ wife finds out you gave him that $75 bottle of after shave (or worse, vodka), things will go badly for you.
Show some restraint with the goodies
People will typically bring in homemade cookies, or banana bread, or mint chocolate bark. Before you dive in mouth first, do the math. If there are 24 of a given item, and 12 people in the office, you get 2, not 6.
Don’t forget why you’re at work
The holidays are not an excuse to take the whole month of December “off”. If you have the vacation time, then take it. Otherwise, there’s work to be done, and you can be assured your co-workers are not interested in taking up the slack while you decorate your cube with candy canes and paper cutout snowmen.
The holidays are not a happy time for everyone
Unfortunately, some people have experienced personal tragedies around the holiday season, and for them this time of year is not all about sleigh bells and eggnog. Since these people are not likely to share their grief with you, you may not know about their situation, so be sensitive to that individual who doesn’t seem to be in “holiday spirit”. In other words, don’t try to cheer them up. If they want to share their story with you, they will.
On the other hand, some people get absolutely giddy over the holidays
And, they get annoyed when you don’t become absolutely giddy too. But, you have to work with them. The phrase suffer fools gladly comes to mind.
Not everyone celebrates Christmas
Be sensitive to others who do not observe the same traditions as you. Doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate, just don’t shove it down their throats.
Don’t play Christmas music so loud everyone in the office can hear it.
If they want to hear Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, they’ll bring in their own CD. Or, better yet, they’ll listen to it in the car on the way to work.
You don’t have to wear a “holiday” sweater every day
Really. The last day of work before whatever holiday you observe will do.
When it’s all over, it’ll be January
I’ve always hated January. The holidays are over, and all you have to look forward to is about three months of cold weather. And, you’ve still got five months until Memorial Day. But, all things must end, and the holidays are no exception. So steel yourself in advance so you don‘t come dragging in to work on January 2nd wailing and blubbering and making everyone else miserable. Look on the bright side: It’ll be at least another ten and a half months before you have to hear Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer again.