On the Job Strategy
Okay! You did your homework. You informed and prepared yourself thoroughly.
You researched the corporate history of the company you applied to and your resume' was brilliant.
You got the job and you love it. Now you want to keep it and you want to advance.
You have an obligation to yourself and your employer to be engaged and accountable. Only you can determine where you are going and how you will get there. Remember, with any new job there is a hierarchy. A corporate culture is established. You may have to be an apprentice before you become the conductor.
Create an Application
Workplace Smarts
- Attitude: A positive and optimistic attitude is good for you and for everyone around you.
- Realism: Not your favorite job? It is a paycheck and it makes sense to leave in good standing when you are prepared to leave.
- Make it Work: Is a transfer or a shift change possible? What could be different to make you stay? What can you do differently?
- Be Engaged: Put the job first. If it comes to lay-off decisions, productive employees will keep the job.
- Timeliness: Workers who are late, take extended lunch hours, use sick time as a crutch for bad personal choices, and those that leave their post early will be unpopular. Be punctual, be engaged, be responsible, and accountable.
- Team Players: Employees who don't get along well with others, who gossip, or don't engage won't be at the top of the retention list.
- Flexibility: Flexibility is central to keeping the job you have. Shift changes, week-end work, overtime to meet objectives, scheduling flexibility, and even volunteering time all demonstrate your willingness to be an engaged and eager employee.
- Complainers: Complainers drag everyone down. No matter the legitimacy of the complaint, keep it to yourself. Constant complainers are easily replaced
- Volunteer: Put this on your list as one of the best job security strategies. Volunteer for new initiatives, offer to meet objectives, to finish projects, and to take on more responsibility
- Thoughts: Even if you hate your job, keep it to yourself. Be assured, someone is going to repeat or report what you said or posted
- When Everything Fails: Avoid prejudiced terminations which will not appeal to prospective employers. Prepare for a good faith departure.