Articles that follow: 7 Ways to Avoid Losing Your Job Do’s ... · Every time you change the...

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Articles that follow: 7 Ways to Avoid Losing Your Job 13 Things HR Won’t Tell You About Keeping Your Job Do’s and Don’ts of Keeping Your Job (In Good Times — and Bad) Keeping the Job Congratulations - Now that You Have the Job, Keep It. Ten Signs You Should Keep Your Job Ten tips that will help you keep your job - Cubicle etiquette, office romances and much, much more Tips for Keeping the Job You Have

Transcript of Articles that follow: 7 Ways to Avoid Losing Your Job Do’s ... · Every time you change the...

Articlesthatfollow:• 7WaystoAvoidLosingYourJob• 13ThingsHRWon’tTellYouAboutKeepingYourJob• Do’sandDon’tsofKeepingYourJob(InGoodTimes—andBad)• KeepingtheJobCongratulations-NowthatYouHavetheJob,KeepIt.• Ten Signs You Should Keep Your Job • Tentipsthatwillhelpyoukeepyourjob-Cubicleetiquette,officeromancesandmuch,

muchmore• TipsforKeepingtheJobYouHave

7WaystoAvoidLosingYourJobAcareercoachofferssmarttipsonhowtoprotectyourselffromgettinglaidoffMy20yearsdoingcareercoachinghasshownmethatyoucanloseyourjobformanyreasons.Someareoutofyourcontrol:Youremployerislosingmoney.Thedepartmentiseliminated.There’sacorporatemergerandyou’vesuddenlybecomeredundant.Butsomelayofftriggersareonesthatarewithinyourcontrol–you’renotmeetingyourperformanceexpectations,forexample,orthechemistrybetweenyouandyourbossisnotoptimal.Soalthoughyoucan’tmakeyourselfinvulnerabletoalayoff,youcantakestepsthathelpyoukeepyourjobin2012andbeyond.Here’show:UnderstandtheprioritiesUnfortunately,inthecurrentDarwiniancorporateenvironment,youcan’tjustmeetyourownperformanceexpectations.Thewaytowintheemploymentgameistounderstandyourcompany’sstrategiesandobjectivesandyourboss’spriorities,andthenalignyourworkperformancewiththem.Beflexible,resilient,andadaptable.OneHumanResourcesVicePresidentIknowmanagedtokeepherjobbecauseshedramaticallychangedtheywaysheworked,implementingcost-cuttingeffortsthatreducedHRexpendituressignificantly.Althoughshehadspentmorethanthreeyearsdealingprimarilywithoutsidepartners,theVPquicklyrespondedtoanewcorporatemandatetobringalltrainingandcoachingin-house.LearnhowtomanageyourbossMakeanefforttothoroughlyunderstandyourboss’smanagementstyleandneeds,andthencatertothem.Learntoconveyinformationandaskquestionsstrategically,andinawaythatmirrorsyourboss’scommunicationhabits.Findwaystomakeyourboss’sjobeasier.Ask:“Doyoureallyneedtohandlethat?CanItakecareofitforyou?”Oneclientwhowasafirm’snewSeniorVPofCompliancekepthisjobbytakingoversomeofhisboss’sday-to-dayresponsibilities.Heendedupwithahigherprofileatthecompanyandhelpedhisbossappearaslessofamicromanager.BrandyourselfcontinuouslyandeffectivelyPromotingyourselfmodestlyisakeypartofprotectingyourjob.Expressopinionsatmeetings,whenit'sappropriate.Passalongapieceofresearchyou’vedonetosomeoneatthecompanywhomightfindituseful.Volunteerforacommitteethataseniorofficerofthecompanyison,orfortheboardofaseniorofficer’sfavoritecharity.Sendyourcolleaguesarticlesfromthebusinesspressthattheymightfindinterestinganduseful.

UnderstandthecultureBehavinginawaythatisantitheticaltoyourcompany’scultureisthequickestwaytoloseyourjob.Don’tdisagreepubliclyinameetingwhereconsensusisemphasized.Oneofmyclientswhowasaseniorattorneydidjustthatinhisfirstmonthonthejob.He’snolongerworkingatthefirm.Makesurethatyougotocorporateevents,parties,andlunchesatcompaniesthatstresscorporatecamaraderie,evenifyou’reintroverted.Althoughyoumightratherreadduringyourlunchhour,itmightbebettertoplaythatgameoffoosballwithyourcolleagues.LearntoplayofficepoliticsManypeoplehateofficepoliticsandsomechoosetorefusetoplaythegame.Butifyou’repoliticallytone-deaf,youcouldwindupmakingmistakesatworkthatcouldcostyouyourjob,nomatterhowgoodyouareatit.Savvypoliticalplayersusuallyhavementorsorshepherdswhocanhelpshieldthemduringcorporatedownsizings.Howdoyouacquireacorporateprotector?Ifyourcompanyhasaformalmentorshipprogram,participateinit.Also,makesureyourprojectscreatewin-winsforothers.Oneofmyclientswhowasdevelopinganemployee-relationswikikeptherjobduringthecompany’sthirddownsizingbybringingintheChiefTechnologyOfficerandtheheadofproductdevelopmentaspartofherteam.Thesetwoexecutivesquicklybecameherguardians.ImproveyourselfcontinuouslyAlwaysbeonthelookoutforwaystomakeyourselfabetteremployee.Ifyou’renotreadingjournalsorattendingatleasttwoconferencesayearforbusiness,you’reheadedfortrouble.Additionally,takeatleastoneself-improvementcourseperyear(perhapsinleadershiptrainingorbuildinginterpersonalskills)thatcanbetranslatedintodoingyourworkbetter.Ifyouthinkyou’reaLudditewhenitcomestosocialnetworking,getareversementor–ayoungerpersonattheofficewhocanshowyoutheropes.KnowthatthesmallthingscountManyofthethingsyouweretaughtinkindergartenstillapply:Beneat.Beontime.Alwayssay“thankyou.”Neverstartfights.Share.Congratulateothersontheirsuccesses.Welcomenewbiestothestaff.Nomatterwhat,bepreparedfortheworstEvenifyou'vetakenalltheprevioussteps,youmightstillbecomeavictimofdownsizingorrestructuring.Somakesureyou'realwaysquietlyontheprowlforyournextjob,eitherinside

oroutsideyourcompany.Trytogotoatleastonenetworkingeventperquarter,whereyou’llgetoutofyourcomfortzoneandmeetatleastfivenewpeople.Then,remembertostayintouchwiththem.KeepyourLinkedInprofileupdatedsoprospectiveemployersknowwhatyou'vebeendoing.Everytimeyouchangetheprofile,yourLinkedIncontactsautomaticallyknowaboutit.Themoreyoudotostayvisible,theeasierit'llbeforyoutolandthatnextjob.©TwinCitiesPublicTelevision-2017.Allrightsreserved.

13ThingsHRWon’tTellYouAboutKeepingYourJobByMichelleCrouchItpaystogetalong."TheNo.1thinginjobsecurityisyourrelationshipwithyourboss.Evenifhesays,‘I’msorryIreallywantedtokeepyou,buttheymademelayyouoff,’that’salmostnevertrue.Heprobablymadethatdecision.”—CynthiaShapiro,formerhumanresourceexecutiveandauthorofCorporateConfidential:50SecretsYourCompanyDoesn’tWantYoutoKnow"Eveninjobswhereyoutestapplicantsandthosewiththetopscoresaresupposedtogetthejob,I’veseenhiringmanagersfixscorestogetthepeopletheylike."—HRrepresentativeinthemanufacturingindustry.It'snetworkornotwork."NetworkingdoesnotmeanusingFacebookorLinkedIn.Itmeansgoingtoevents,gettingyourfaceinfrontofpeopleandsettingupinformationalinterviews."—AhumanresourcesprofessionalinNewYorkCityDon'tgettoofriendlywithHR."Ifyouhaveaquestion,cometomyoffice.Don'tcornermeinthebathroom."—HRprofessionalatamid-sizedfirminNorthCarolina"MyLinkedInprofileisformyself,awayformetofindanotherjob.It'snotawaytofindajobwithme."—AhumanresourcesprofessionalinNewYorkCity"Don'tstalkme."—AhumanresourcesprofessionalinNewYorkCityBeprofessionalatalltimes."Childrenandhobbiesdonotbelongonarésumé.Andnever,eversay,'Nowthatmykidsareincollege,I'mreadytogetbackintheworkforce.'"—HRprofessionalatamid-sizedfirminNorthCarolina"Someonemighttellyouto'Beyourself'intheinterview.Don'tbeyourself.That'stheworstadviceever.Wedon'twantpeoplewhoareneuroticandquirkyandwhateverelse.Allwecareaboutisyourskillandexperience."—LaurieRuettimann,HRconsultantandspeakerinRaleigh,N.C.

"Iknowmanyofyoumetyourformerspouseatthecompany.Butthethingis,foreveryoneofyou,therearefivepeopleitdoesn'tworkoutaswellfor.Andyourofficeromancecanandwillbeheldagainstyou."—KrisDunn,chiefhumanresourcesofficeratAtlanta-basedKinetixwhoblogsatHRcapitalist.com"Ihadsomebodylisttheirprisontimeasajob.Andanexoticdancerwhocalledherselfa'customerservicerepresentative.'"—SharlynLauby,humanresourcesconsultantinFortLauderdale,Fla"Itdoesn'ttake40hoursaweektolookforajob.Soifyou'reunemployed,dosomething:takeclasses,meetpeople,gotoindustrymeetings,startablog,readabookaweek.Justdon'tsitonthecouchandeatDoritos."—BenEubanks,HRprofessionalinAlabamaBeappropriatewhensaying"Thankyou.""IoncehadsomeonesendmeForget-me-notseedswiththeirthankyounote.Yes,thankmefortakingthetime,that'sgreat.Butsendingmeseeds?That'sweird."—SharlynLauby,humanresourcesconsultantinFortLauderdale,Fla."Onetimeacandidatesent—Ilovethis—athankyoucardwithaprofessionalpictureofherself,whichquitehonestlybecametherunningjokeforweeks.Thepicturewasblownupandpostedinmyofficewithheartsdrawnaroundit."—HRdirectoratafinancialservicesfirmBeoriginalwithyouranswersduringaninterview."You'rerighttobeparanoid.Thecompanyisalwayswatchingyou,andthere'sarecordofeverythingyoudo:everyphonecall,everytext,everytweetandinstantmessage.Atmostcompanies,theysavethatdataforever."—LaurieRuettimann,HRconsultantandspeakerinRaleigh,N.C."Iknowalotmoreaboutyouwhenyouwalkinthedoorthanyourealize.I'llsearchforyouonthewebandoftenusemyownpersonalnetworktodoapre-interviewreferencecheck."—SeniorHRExecutiveinNewYorkCity"Ihavebetterthingstodothandealwithwhosleptwithwho,orwho'stalkingaboutyoubehindyourback.SometimesIfeellikeahighschoolguidancecounselor."—HRprofessionalatamid-sizedfirminNorthCarolina"IfyoucalltocheckonthestatusofyourrésuméandIask,'Whatjobdidyouapplyfor?''Ifyoudon'tknow,you'redone."—HRprofessionalatamid-sizedfirminNorthCarolinaNeversayyesrightaway.

"Neveracceptthejobimmediately.Sayyouneedtothinkaboutitovernight.Onceyousignonthedottedlinethere'snoroomfornegotiation."—AhumanresourcesprofessionalinNewYorkCityWhattoknowaboutjobsecurity:"Whenwehadsomeonegooutondisabilityandweknewhewasfakingit,wedidn'twanttogotocourttoproveit.Soweputhimontheendoftheassemblylineinajobwhereweknewhewouldn'tsucceed.Eventually,wewereabletofirehim."–HRproatamid-levelstaffingfirm"Generallyspeaking,youonlyputsomeoneonpaidleaveifyou'reprettycertainthattheymightbeterminatedfromthecompanyonceyoudoyourinvestigation."–KrisDunn"Companiesdohaveblacklists.It'snotwrittendownanywherebutit'salistofpeoplethey'dbehappytogetridofiftheopportunityarises.Ifyoufeelinvisible,ifyou'regettingbadassignments,ifyourbossisignoringyou,oriftheymoveyouroffice,you'reprobablyonit."–CynthiaShapiro"Yourjobisn'tsafejustbecauseyou'repregnantoranewmom.Lotsofpeoplegetpinkslipswhilethey'reonmaternityleave.Companiescandoitaspartofalargerlayoff,includeyouinthereandcreateajustificationforit."–CynthiaShapiro"Idon'tlaypeopleoffattheendofthedaybecauseIthinkit'srottentogetawholeworkdayoutofsomeone,thenlaythemoff.Ialwayslaythemoffinthemorning."–AhumanresourcesprofessionalinNewYorkCityGettingfired:"Ifyougetfired,don'tjuststompoutandgoonwithyourlife.Thecompanymaybewillingtogiveyousomeseverance,especiallyifyoucanpointtosomeonedifferentfromyouwhodidn'tgetassevereapunishment.Justsaying,'Well,Italkedtomyattorney'(evenifyoudon'thaveanattorney)canalsogiveyousomeleverage.'"—SuzanneLucas,aformerHRexecutiveandthe"EvilHRlady"onbnet.com"Imaysay'I'mterminatingyoubecauseyoudidn'tmeetperformancemeasures.'I'mnotgoingtosayit'sbecauseyou'reapaininthebuttandpisspeopleoffeverytimeyouinteractwiththem.'"—HRManageratahealthcarefacilityMoresecrets:"IwasaskedbyoneCEOtohirethelong-leggedgirlwiththelongdarkhaireventhoughshedidn'thavetherightskills.Anothertime,Iwasinstructednottohireanyonewithchildren

becausethecompanyhadtoomanypeopleleavingforsoccergames.Thatkindofthinghappensallthetime."—CynthiaShapiro"Manypeoplethink,'IfIworkextrahard,I'mgoingtogetnoticed.'Butitdoesn'tworkthatway.Ifyouwanttoadvance,someoftheresponsibilityfallsonyoutotootyourownhorn.Makesureyoursupervisorandyoursupervisor'ssupervisorarewellofawareofwhatyou'recontributing."–MichaelSlade,HRdirectoratEricMowerandAssociates,anintegratedmarketingcommunicationsagency."Somecompaniesdoeverybody'sraisesontheiranniversarydates.I'mnotafanofthatbecauseifthebudgetcomesoutinJanuary,thosepoorpeoplehiredinDecemberget,'Ohsorry,we'dliketogiveyoumorebutwegaveahugeincreasetoBobsoyou'rejustgoingtoget2percent.'"–SuzanneLucas"I'veseenmanagersnothireawomanbecausetheenvironmentismostlymale,andthey'reworriedthatnomatterhowsmartortalentedsheis,shewon'tfitin."–HRrepresentativeataFortune500financialservicesfirm"Ifit'sbeenaweekortwoandItellyou'Idon'thaveanupdateyet,'thatoftenmeansthere'sabettercandidatewe'retalkingto,butwecan'ttellyouthatincasetheydecidenottotakethejob."–RecruitingconsultantRichDeMatteo.Philadelphia,Pa.Moneymatters."Ifweask'Whatsalaryareyoulookingfor?'sayyou'reflexible,orsayitdependsontheresponsibilitiesofthejob.Trynottonameasalaryunlesswereallypushyou,becausethatgivesusalegupinthenegotiating."—AhumanresourcesprofessionalinNewYorkCity"Don'tlieaboutyoursalary.Ever.Evenifyouremployerdoesn'ttellus(andmostdo),we'llfindouteventually.I'veterminatedtwopeoplefordoingthat."—AhumanresourcesprofessionalinNewYorkCity"Yes,Ihaveaccesstoeveryone'ssalarybutIdon'tlookunlessIhaveto.There'snothingworsethanhavingtoreprimandsomeone,andthenseeingtheymake$60,000morethanme."—HRprofessionalatamidsizefirminNorthCarolina"Don'tevertellmethatyouhavetohavethisjobbecauseyou'regoingtoloseyourhouse,yourkidshavenothingtoeat,yourmotherhascancer.Companiesaren'tacharity."—SuzanneLucasYourrésumé:"Wegetrésumésonfancyschmantzypapers.Wegetthemwithgold-pressedlettering.Wegettheminbindersandindocumentprotectorswithribbons.

Noneofthatswaysme."—HRManagerinSt.Cloud,Minnesota"98percentoftherésuméswereceivewhenwepostapositiononabigjobssitearejunk,comefrompeoplewhoarenowherenearqualified.We'llgetaguywho'sabarmanagerapplyingforadirectorofpublicaffairsposition.Orashoesalesman.That'swhywelikepostingjobsonwebsitesthattargetspecificindustries."—MichaelSlade,HRdirectoratEricMowerandAssociates,anintegratedmarketingcommunicationsagency.

Do’sandDon’tsofKeepingYourJob(InGoodTimes—andBad)byRandallS.Hansen,Ph.D.Whetheryouloveyourjob,hateyourjob,orsimplyseeitasameanstoanend,therearetimeswhenyourfocusislessonjobsatisfactionandmoreonjobpreservation.Whenyourprofessionorindustryisonthedeclineorwhentheeconomyisinthetankandemployersarecuttingjobsatadizzyingpace,it’stimetohunkerdownandfocusmoreonprotectingyourpositionwithintheorganization.Withthisgoalofjobpreservationinmind,herearesomecrucialdo’sanddon’ts(rulesandguidelines)forhelpingcurrentlyemployedworkerskeepyourjob—andthesetechniquescanbeusedbothingoodtimes,aswellasinbadtimes.Doyourjobwell.Tooobvious?Perhaps,butifyougenerallyaren’thappywithyourjob,itshowsinyourjobperformance,sonowisthetimetostepitupandshowthatyoucanexcelinyourjob(whetheryouloveitorhateit).Don’tstandoutforthewrongreasons.Nowisnotthetimetocomplainaboutthesnacksinthebreakroom,argueoverthetemperatureintheoffice,orotherwiseactasifyouareentitledtothingsyouremployerdoesn’tcurrentlyoffer.Dokeepyourbossinformedofyouractivities,especiallyasyoufinishmajorprojects.Ifyourbossisn’tawareofallyouraccomplishments,itmakesitmucheasierforhimorhertoseeyouasexpendablewhenbudgetsarecut.Anddolistentowhatyourbosssays—andtryandfindwaystomakehis/herjobeasier.Keepa“paper”trailbyemailingyourbosswithweeklyupdatesorprogressreports.Don’teventhinkaboutgossiping.It’sbesttostayasfarawayfromtheofficewatercoolerandanyoftheregulargossipersbecausetheeasiestworkersformanagementtocutaretheonesperceivedtobetheunhappy(andungrateful)bunch.Butdokeepaneartotheground(andaneyetowardGooglealertsaboutyouremployer)sothatyouarenotblindsidedbybadnews.Dovolunteerfornewprojectsortohelpcompletetaskspreviouslydonebyotherswhohavealreadybeenlaidoff.Showingyourcareandconcern—evenifitmakesyourjobharderandlonger—goesalongwaytosecuringyourspotwiththeorganization.Don’tbenegative—aboutanything.Youdon’thavetowalkaroundtheworkplaceasifyouhavepoppedsomehappypills,butyoudon’twantbeperceivedasDougtheDowner,sonotrash-talkingorbad-mouthingaboutwork,theeconomy,theclimatecrisis,andsoon.Dofocusonmaintainingcurrentskillsandcertifications—andobtainingnewonesthatmakesenseforyourcareer.Eveniftheseskillsandcertificationsarenotappreciatedbyyourcurrentemployer,you’llwanttobepreparedtoshowyournextemployerthatyouareonthecuttingedgeforyourfield.

Don’tgrabthelimelight.Whileit’simportantforyourboss(andhisorherboss)toknowthatyouareperforminggreatwork,youdon’twanttobeseenasaprimadonnawhodoesnotrecognizetheworkofothers.Makesurethebossknowsoftheaccomplishments,butmakesuretheteamalsogetsthecredit.Don’tbad-mouthorbackstabofanyteammembers.Docontinuenetworking—bothwithinandoutsideyouremployer.Buildingrelationshipsisthenameofthegameinjob-huntingandcareersuccess.Youcanbuildyourreputationandbetterprotectyourpositionwithastronginternalnetwork.Byincreasingyournetworkoutsidetheorganization,youincreaseyourchancesofsucceedinginyourjob-searchshouldyouloseyourjob.Don’tforgetaboutdevelopingaback-upplan.Youremployerisintrouble,yourindustryisshrinking,andyoucan’tjustgotoworkandpretendthateverythingisfine.Developaplanfordealingwithapotentiallayoff,includingajob-searchstrategyandasavingsandbudgetplan.Dokeepanopenmind.Youmaybeaskedtoworktwojobsortakeonresponsibilitiesyouneverimagined—orthatyouknowyouwon’tlike—butnowisthetimetobeopentonewjobdutiesandresponsibilities,especiallyifitmeanssecuringyourpositionforatleasttheshort-term.Don’taskforapromotionorraise.Iftheorganizationisstrugglingandworkersarebeinglaidoff,you’lllooklikeeitherafooloranegomaniacinaskingforapromotionorraise.Dobecomea“companyman”or“companywoman.”Nowisthetimetoarrivetoworkearlyandstaylate—andworkhardalldaylong.Facetimeisespeciallyimportant,sodon’ttelecommute—ordon’ttelecommuteasoftenasyoudidinthepast.Don’tgiveup.Ifitappearsasthoughyourjobisinserioustrouble,youmaybeabletonegotiatewithyouremployertokeepyourjobbyworkingfewerhours,bytakingatemporarypaycut,orbybecominganindependentcontractor.Dokeepyourresumecurrent.Whileit’sagoodpracticetoalwaystokeepyourresumeregularlyupdatedwithyourmostrecentaccomplishments,it’sespeciallyimportantintimeswhenyourcurrentpositionisnotverysecure.Don’tlosesightofyourgoals.Whileyoumayfeelstuckinyourcurrentjob—withnoshort-termoptionsforescape—stayfocusedonyourlong-termjobandcareerstrategies.Whileyoumayneedtoadjustyourtimetable,doyourbesttokeepbuildingtowardyourgoals.Dolookforopportunitiestobuildyourbrand—andpossiblylandabetterjob.Whileyoumayneedtobemoreconservativeaboutsayinghowgreatyouattheoffice,it’sstillimportanttobuildyourbrandbothwithinyourcompanyandwithinyourprofession.Considerwritingpositionpapersorotherarticlesforyourprofessionalassociation,developingorenhancing

yourpersonalWebsite,andmaximizingtheuseofsocialnetworkingsites—allwiththeideaofstrengtheningyourdigitalpresence.Don’tstopjob-hunting.Eveninahorribleeconomy,someemployersarestillhiring.Job-huntingwilltakemuchmoretime,energy,patience,andpersistence,butyoucanfindanewjobinanyeconomyifyouhavetherightplanandexecuteitwell.Justdon’tadvertisethefactthatyouarelookingforanewjob.FinalThoughtsonKeepingYourJobMostofuswillfacetimesinourliveswhenwehavetomaximizeoureffortstoprotectandkeepourjobs—evenforjobsthatwemaynotparticularlylikeorenjoy.Byfollowingtheadviceinthisarticle,you’lluseproventechniquesforhelpingyoufightforyourcurrentjobwhilealsokeepingafootinthejobmarketsothatyouarereadytofindabetterjobwhentheopportunityarises.Dr.RandallS.HansenisfounderofQuintessentialCareers,oneoftheoldestandmostcomprehensivecareerdevelopmentsitesontheWeb,aswellCEOofEmpoweringSites.com.HeisalsofounderofMyCollegeSuccessStory.comandEnhanceMyVocabulary.com.HeispublisherofQuintessentialCareersPress,includingtheQuintessentialCareerselectronicnewsletter,QuintZine.Dr.Hansenisalsoapublishedauthor,withseveralbooks,chaptersinbooks,andhundredsofarticles.He’softenquotedinthemediaandconductsempoweringworkshopsaroundthecountry.Finally,Dr.Hansenisalsoaneducator,havingtaughtatthecollegelevelformorethan15years.VisithispersonalWebsiteorreachhimbyemailatrandall(at)quintcareers.com.CheckoutDr.HansenonGooglePlus.

KeepingtheJobCongratulations-NowthatYouHavetheJob,KeepIt.Thehardworkisnotover.Onceyouhaveacceptedthejob,yourrealworkbegins.Doingtheworkisonlypartofbeingsuccessfulinyourjob.Thereareotherthingsthatwillalsoinfluenceyoursuccesswiththecompany.Itisimportanttonotethatlongevityinajobdemonstratescommitment,loyalty,andachievement—allqualitiesthatfutureemployerswillvalue.Whetheryou’rebeingevaluatedforapromotioninyourcurrentcompanyorforabetterpositionatanewcompany,yourabilitytosucceedinyourpresentenvironmentwillhelpyou.Belowaresomeimportantthingstohelpyoukeepyourjobandgrowwithinit.AttendanceArriveontimeeveryday.Returnfromlunchpromptly.Showupforyourmeetingsontime,everytime.Thistypeofpunctualitydemonstratesrespectforothersandtheirtime.Manycompaniesdocumentattendance.Insomestates,poorattendanceandchroniclatenessaregroundsfortermination.Thistypeofbehaviorindicatestotheemployerthatyoudonotvalueyourpositionorthejobthatyoudoforthecompany.Tosome,itsignalsthatyoucannotbetrusted,andyoumaynotbegiventheopportunityforadvancement.DependabilityFollowthrough.Ifyou’vebeengivenanassignment,doit.Carryanotebookandtakenoteswhenyou’regiveninstructions.Makesureyouaskquestionswhenyou’reconfused.Ittakeslesstimetodotheprojectrightthefirsttimethantodoittwice.Ifitlookslikeyoucan’tmeetaspecificdeadline,tellyoursupervisorassoonaspossible,asotherpeoplemaybedependingonyourwork.Intoday’scustomerservice-orientedeconomy,dependabilityiskey.Wemustalwaysrespondtoourcustomersandco-workersinaprofessionalwayinordertokeepourcompanyefficient.Thisisanimportantissueifyoucaretogrowinthecompany.Ifyourmanagercandependonyoutogetyourworkdoneinatimelymanner,he/sheismorelikelytohelpyougrowyourcareer.KnowledgeFindwaystoexpandyourknowledgeofthecompany.Asktoattendtrainingsessions.Onyourowntime,readcompanymanuals.Networkwithcompanyprofessionalswithinandoutsideyourdepartment.The

moreyouknowabouthowthecompanyworks,themoreyoucancontributetoitssuccess.DemonstrateCommitmentThosewhotakeonnewprojects,getmoreresponsibilityandultimately,morereward.Sometimes,youneedtoaskyoursupervisorformorework.He/shemaynotrealizethatyou’recapableofdoingmore.Don’twaitforyoursupervisortogiveyouwork.Beproactiveandaskforit.Makesurethatyouarecompletingyourexistingprojectssuccessfully.Yoursupervisorwillnotbeinclinedtogiveyoumoreworkifyou’renotgettingyourcurrentjobdoneaccurately.Lookforwaystoaddvalue.Ifyouseeawaytosavemoneyortimeinaspecifictask,tellyoursupervisor.Thistypeofbehaviorwillshowyourbossyourinterestinmakingyourcompanysuccessful.ProblemSolversInsteadoftellingyoursupervisoraboutaproblem,tellhim/heraboutasolution.Wheneveryouuncoveraproblemorfaceadifficultsolution,figureoutthesolutiononyourown.Ifit’sabigproblem,youmaywanttodiscussthesolutionfirstbeforeactingonit.Regardless,yoursupervisorwillappreciatethethoughtyouputintoturningawrongintoaright.Companieswanttohireproblemsolvers.Everydayamanagerisfacedwithacomplicationofsomekindwithacustomer,employee,orproduct.Yourabilitytohelpsolvetheseproblemsandavoidtheminthefuturewillhelpyourcompanyandcareergrow.ResponsibilityandOwnershipWhenyou’regivenaproject,makeityourown.Drawonyourexperiencetocompleteyourwork.Ifyou’rehiredtohandlecustomerservicecomplaints,usepersonalmannerstohelpyourcustomersfeelmoreatease.Ifyou’regivenabookkeepingproject,thinkofitasbeingyourownmoney.Youwouldsaveasmuchofyourownmoneyaspossible.Yourcompanydeservesthesamerespect.Sometimesyouneedtodiscussyourplansforcompletingaprojectwithyoursupervisorbeforecarryingitout.Yoursupervisorwillappreciatethethoughtyouputintotheproject,andwillbemorewillingtohelpyouifproblemsarise.Yourworkwillbevaluedmuchmoreifyoudemonstrateownership.Whenyoumakeamistake,acceptit.Don’tblameothers.Also,trytofixtheproblem.Thisgoesalongwithbeingaproblemsolver.Ultimately,itwillbeyoursolutionthatisremembered,notthemistakethatyoumade.MentorsLookforpeopletogiveyouguidance.Ineverythingthatwedo,therearealwaystimesweseekadvicefromothers.Generally,peoplewanttohelp.Lookforpeoplewhohavebeensuccessful

intheirjobsandaskthemforadvicewhenmakingharddecisionsaboutyourcareer.Ifyouworkonaconstructionsiteandyourforemanhasbeenwiththecompanyforawhile,talktohimabouthowtogetontootherjobsites.Youmayaskhimifyoucanhelphimwithhisworkwhenyourshiftisover.Sometimes,just“shadowing”abossorsupervisorinhis/herjobcanhelpyoulearnmoreaboutyourown.CustomerServiceInanyjob,youhaveseveralcustomers.Thosethatbuythecompany’sproductarethemostobvious.Otherpeoplewithinyourorganizationarecustomerstoo–peoplethatdependonyourwork.Doyourbesttomakesurethatyourcoworkerscaneasilygettheirjobsdone.Ifyourespecttheworkofothersthejobgetsdonequicker,thecustomerishappier,businessgrows,andyourpositionimproves.Mostjobsintoday’seconomyinvolvecustomerservice.Whetheryouworkasawaitressinarestaurantorinsalesforatelecommunicationsfirm,youareworkingwithcustomers.Learninghowtoworkwithothersiskeytosuccessinthesetypesofpositions.Asanemployee,youarearepresentativeofyourcompany.Asthatcompany’sambassador,yourbehavioriswatchedcarefullybyyourcustomers.Ifyoutreatthembadly,thentheywillassumethatthecompanyisatfault.Asaresult,youwilllosetheirbusiness.Mostpeoplewilltellatleasttenpeopleaboutanunpleasantcircumstancewithabusiness.Yourcustomerserviceattitudecanmakeabigdifferenceinyourcompany’sprofitability.AttitudePerhapsthemostimportantfactorisapositiveattitudetowardsyouremployerandyourresponsibilities.Wheneverpeopleareenthusiasticabouttheirjob,theyinevitablydoitbetter.Customerswillrespondtoapositiveperson,conductrepeatbusiness,andrecommendbusinessesthattheylike.Asimplesmilewillgoalongwayinmakinganunhappycustomerhappyagain.Companyfitisimportant.Asyoulearnaboutyourjobrequirements,takethetimetoalsolearnaboutyourcompanyculture.Noticehowthingsgetdoneinyourcompany.Gettoknowyourcoworkers,asyourattitudetowardsyourpeersisalsoveryimportant.Ineveryjob,thereareresponsibilitiesand/orcoworkersthatyouwon’tlike.Yourabilitytoacceptthosenegativesandstillthriveanddeliverqualityworktoyouremployerisvaluedandappreciated.Itwillcertainlybeconsideredwhenit’stimeforaraiseorpromotion.

TenSignsYouShouldKeepYourJobUnsurewhetheryoushouldkeepyourjoborseekgreenerpastures?Whileashakyeconomyshouldn'tkeepyouinajobyoucan'tstand,youcanwatchforthese10signsthatcouldtellyouyou'refinerightwhereyouare.1. You'reHappyWe'renottalkingmerecomplacencyhere,butgenuinehappiness.Ifyou'rehappy,you'regoingtobemoreproductive,andthatwillimpactthecompany's(andyourown)bottomline.2. You'reLearningYoucanraceupthecorporateladderwithagility,butifyoudon'tlearnanythingontheway,youwon'tenjoyalengthystay.Anythingyoulearnisanotherbulletonyourresume.3. TheCompanyIsHiringThisisnotthesmarthiringyou'reusedtoseeing,afteralltimesaretough.Butasattritionoccurs,isyourcompanyreplacingessentialpersonnel?Youwanttoseeyouremployerfocusingonthebottomlinewithoutputtingitscontinuedsuccessinjeopardy.4. TheCompanyListenstoItsWorkersEmployeesareoftenacompany'smostvaluableasset.Ifprocessesdon'tworkormoraleislow,theworkersaretheonestoknow.Butremember:Decisionsarebasedonthebigpicture,whichmayincludesomefactseveryemployeecannotbeprivyto.5. TheCompanyHasaPlanDoesyouremployerhaveamissionandcleargoals?Isthereaplanforreachingthosegoals?Clarityisimportantforeveryworker,andit'sevenmoreimportantforthelargerbusiness.6. TheCompanyFixesItsProblemsEveryonemakesmistakes,andtruevirtueliesinhowthey'recorrected.Ifyourcompanyactivelytriestomenditself,thenyouknowit'sgettingreadyforthelonghaul.7. TheCompanyPromotesfromWithinThisgoesbacktoemployeesbeingacompany'sbiggestasset.Doesyourcompanyrewarditsworkersandpromoteaccordingly?Thatshowsthecompanyiswillingtoinvestinyou,andyourinvestmentinthecompanycouldhaveapayoff.

8. TheCompanyIsOpenAboutItsFinancialsIfyourcompanysharesonlyitssuccesses,beware.Butifyouremployersharesinformationaroundprofitsandloss,it'sinvitingyoutobeapartnerandisempoweringyouwiththeinformationyouneedtohelp.9. YourAccomplishmentsandContributionsAreNoticedandValuedDoyougetcreditfortheworkyoudo?Nooneshouldbetakenforgranted.Ifyouremployernotesyouraccomplishments,you'remorelikelytomoveuporbeabletotakeonmorechallengingprojects.10. YouLookForwardtoMondayEveryoneenjoysadayoff,butdoyoulookforwardtoreturningtowork?Whetherit'syourjob,yourcolleaguesortheofficeculture,ifthere'ssomethingthatstopsyoufromdreadingMondays,you'vestruckcareergold.

ImproveYourSituationIfyourealizeyourcurrentemployerandpositionarenotrightforyou,youneedtotakesomeaction.Startwiththesefoursteps:1. What'sWrong?Areyouunhappywithyourcurrentjob,orareyouconcernedforyourcompany'sfuture?Youneedtodeterminethecurrentproblembeforeyoucanfindasolution.2. AssessmentsIntrospectioncanonlyleadtomoreclaritywhereyourcareerisconcerned.Lookintotakingcareerassessmentstodiscoverwhereyourinterestsandaptitudesmeet,anddeterminewhattypeofworkplaceculturewouldbebestforyou.3. UpdateYourResumeEvenifyou'recompletelycontentinyourcurrentposition,youshouldalwayskeepyourresumeupdated.Youneverknowwhatmighthappennext,evenatathrivingcompany.4. NetworkTalkingtopeopleisoneofthebestwaystolearnaboutjobopeningsorevenanewfieldyouhadneverconsideredforyourself.Don'tjustjoinprofessionalorganizations,butbeanactivemember.Youneedtoputyourselfoutthereandtakesomeriskstofindthejobthat'srightforyou.

TentipsthatwillhelpyoukeepyourjobCubicleetiquette,officeromancesandmuch,muchmoreIfyoufindyourselfcleaningoutyourdeskandstartinganewjobeveryninemonthstoayear,theproblemisyou—notyourbossorcolleagues.It'simportanttounderstandyourcompany'scorporatecultureandtomatchitinwordsandactions.Forstarters,ifyouworkinaprim-and-properbutton-downoffice,don'tshowupinjeansandaT-shirtboastingaboutwildtimesinTijuana."Sizeupthecultureandshowastrongworkethic,"saysAndrewJ.DuBrin,aprofessorofmanagementattheRochesterInstituteofTechnologyinRochester,N.Y."Don'twalkaroundsaying,'It'sWednesday—humpday—andFridaywillbeheresoon.'"Here'sbettingthatMicrosoft,WellsFargo,Intel,ExxonMobilandMcClatchyNewspapershavedistinctcorporatecultures.Thesmartemployeescopesouttheterritoryahead.Yougothiredbecausethebossthoughtyoucoulddothejob.Butcompetencealoneisn'tenoughtosucceed.Bepassionateaboutyourworkandtakeprideinit.Tossingthingstogetheratthelastminutewon'tcutit.Ifyou'resmartandalittlelucky,you'llfindyourworkchallengingandyourco-workersengaging.Manyyoungemployeestalkabouthaving"fun"atwork.It'samistake.There'salwaysanelementoflevityinagoodoffice—cleverquipsandgroanerpunsfromtheofficewag,forexample—butrememberthatyouworktomakemoneyforthecompany,nottohavefunonthedaysbetweenweekends."Whenindoubt,behavetraditionally,"DuBrinsays."Beontime,beagoodcorporatecitizenandgooutofyourwaytohelppeople.Traditionalvaluesarestillheldinhighesteembymostemployers."Catchtherhythmofthestaffmeetings.Aretheyformalorinformal?Isitacceptabletodootherworkonalaptopandoccasionallycheckyourcellphonefortextmessages,orwouldthatdrivethebossnuts?Whenindoubt,leavethelaptopandphonebehind.Noone'sperfect,andifyoumakeamistake,immediatelytakefullresponsibilityforit.Don'tblameothers,andcertainlydon'ttrytosloughitoffonyourimmediateboss.Saying,"I'msorry,mymistake.Itwon'thappenagain"willhelpyouputallbuthangingoffensesbehindyou.

Muchlikethere'sadivisionbetweenchurchandstate,drawalinebetweenyourpersonallifeandwork.Don'ttalkincessantlyaboutyourlifeoutsidework.Ifyou'rehavingtroubleinyourpersonallife,keepittooneortwoconfidants.Nooneelseatworkneedstoknow—ormoretothepoint,wantstoknow—aboutyourtravailsathome.Remember:Thereisnowaythatbroadcastingyourpersonaldifficultieswillimproveyourstandingwiththeboss.Littlethingscanbecomeabigdealatwork.Here'show:Yourdentistwillloveyouforflossing,butyourco-workerswon'tifyoudoitatyourdesk.Performpersonalhygienedutiesathome.Herearetenthingsyoumustgetrighttoavoidkillingyourcareer.Inmostcases,nosinglefauxpasisseriousenoughtogetyouapinksliponthespot,butthesteadydrip-drip-dripofinattentiontooneormoreofthesebasicpointswillseriouslyerodeyourposition,andbeforeyouknowit,you'llbecleaningoutyourdesk...again.Knowwhat'sexpected.Noonewantsadroneorayes-man,butifyoudon'tunderstandthecorporatecultureandifyoudon'tknowwhat'sexpectedofyou,you'regone.It'spossibletofitinwithoutsquashingyourcreativity.Rememberwhomyouworkforandwhy.Moneyisn'teverything.Don'tcreatetheimpressionthatyou'reworkingjustforapaycheck.That'sthehallmarkofaclock-puncherandwillkillallchancesforadvancement.Ifyou'resounhappywithyourjobthatyouliveforthe15thand30thofeachmonth,it'stimetostartsendingoutrésumés.Leavethegossiptothesupermarkettabloids.Idlechit-chatatthewatercoolerisafactoflifeandacceptable,andisevenexpectedinsmalldoses.Butdon'tchatterendlesslyaboutwho'sinandwho'sout.Todosoreflectsbadlyonyouandtakestimeawayfromturningthewheels.Yourbosswillnoticeifyouspendmoretimeyappingthanworking.Flubbingdeadlines.Deadlinesarerealandmustbemetbecause,believeitornot,theworlddoesn'tmovetoyourbeat.Missingdeadlineswillbackupthewholeshowandmakeyourbosslookbad.Abadhairdayisnoexcuseformissingadeadline.Worklatetogetthejobdoneifyouhaveto.Cubicleetiquettecounts.LeaveittofuturehistorianstodeterminehowcubicleculturechangedAmerica.Allyouhavetodoislivewithit.Remember:Privacy'snonexistentinacubicle,sodon'thavephoneconversationsthatyoudon'twantotherstohear.Personaldecorativetouchesshouldbetasteful.Personale-mailsaredeath.Here'sabasictruthmanyemployeesmiss:Thecompanye-mailsystemisforcompanybusiness.Don'tuseittogossip,anddon'twriteanythingthatyoudon'twantreadbytheboss,becausemanysystemssavedeletedmessages

toamasterfile.Horrortalesofsomeonehitting"ReplytoAll"andmistakenlysendingajuicynoteaboutthebosstoeveryone,includingthechief,arecommon.Callupyourpersonale-mailaccounttosendpersonalnotes,andkeepitshort;you'reatwork.Isolationleavesyouvulnerable.Youdon'thavetoconstantlyhangoutwithco-workersafterhours,butdon'tisolateyourselfwithstandoffishbehavior.Youdon'twanttobeseenassomeonewhothinksyou'retoogoodfortheproletariat.Extendthesimplecourtesiestoyourco-workers:goodmorning,goodnight,please,thanks.Yourmotherwasright:Mannerscount.Don'tclimbegomountain.Noonelikesanegomaniac,andforgoodreason:They'reboring,obnoxious,trivialpeople.Listentowhatyourco-workerstellyou.Askquestions.Learnfromtheexperiencedhands.Improveyourskillsandboostyourproductivity.Don'ttakecreditforothers'work.It'safamiliartale:Theofficego-gettertakescreditforotherpeople'swork.Suchpeopleoverlookabasicpoint:It'sdishonest.Ifyoudothis,wordwilleventuallyreachtheboss,andyourstandingwillcrumbleinstantly.Alongtheway,thelongkniveswillbeout,andyourco-workerswillrootfor,andcheer,yourdemise.Somemayevenknifeyouraspirations.Officeromanceinvitescatastrophe.Weallworklonghours,andsometimesworkbecomesoursociallife,leadingtoromanticentanglements.Thisisfineifyougetmarriedandlivehappilyeverafter.Whatarethechancesofthat?Think:Whatwillyoudoiftherelationshipendsbadly?Neverbecomeinvolvedwithyourboss.Youraccomplishmentsandpromotionswillbecomesuspect,andoneofyouwillhavetomovetoanotherdepartment,andperhapsanotherjob,whentheromancebecomesknown.Helpfulhint:Lookoutsidetheofficeforthesweetieofyourdreams.©2012Forbes.com

TipsforKeepingtheJobYouHaveByAlisonDoyle•UpdatedNovember21,2016OneofthecommentsIgetoverandoveragainfromjobseekerswhoareunemployedistodowhateveryoucantokeepyourjob,ifyouhaveone.Ifyouhaveajobyou'renotthrilledwith,beforeyouturninyourresignation,takealookatthesetipsonhowtokeepyourjob.Youdon'tneedtostayforever,but,ifyoucan,youmaywanttostayatleastuntilyouhaveanotherjoblinedupbecauseit'shardertofindajobwhenyou'reunemployed.Top10TipsforKeepingYourJobTryandMaketheJobWork.Isthereanythingyoucouldbedoingdifferentlytomakethejobwork?Couldyouaskforatransferorashiftchange?Isthereanythingthatwouldmakeadifferenceandconvinceyoutostay?WorkHard.Mostemployersdon'tmindalittletimespentonFacebookortexting,butdofocusonyourjobandgiveyouremployerthetimeyou'regettingpaidfor.Whenitcomestomakinglay-offdecisions,andthecompanyhastochoose,themostproductiveemployeeswillgettokeepthejob.BeOnTime.Theworkerswhoarelatetowork,takealonglunchhour,useatonofsicktime,and/orleaveearlyeverydayaren'tgoingtowinanypointswiththeirboss.Bepunctualandbethere,insteadofmakingexcusesforwhyyoucan'tbeatwork.BeaTeamPlayer.Theemployeeswhodon'tgetalongwellwithothers,whogossipaboutotherworkers,orwhoaren'twillingtopitchintohelp,aren'tgoingtobeappreciated.BeFlexible.Flexibilitycanbeakeycomponentofhangingontoyourjob.Whenthecompanyneedssomeonetochangeshifts,workweekends,putinsomeovertime,orworkadifferentschedule,thinkaboutvolunteeringifyourpersonalschedulepermits.Don'tComplain.Nobodylikescomplainers,regardlessofhowlegitimatethecomplaintsare.Ifyoudon'tlikeyourjob,Icanguaranteethereareplentyofotherpeoplewhowouldjumpatthechancetogetit.Whenthejobmarketisasupsidedownintheemployer'sfavorasitisnow,bereallycarefulaboutcomplaining.OffertoHelp.Oneofthebestwaystoget(orkeep)jobsecurityistovolunteerfornewinitiatives,tooffertohelpwithprojects,andtotakeonmoreresponsibility.

KeepYourThoughtstoYourself.Evenifyouhateyourjob,keepittoyourselfandyourfamilyorclosefriends.Don'ttelltheworld,becausethewrongpersonisprobablygoingtoseewhatyouposted.That,inandofitself,cancostyouyourjob.BePositive.Negativityiscontagious,butsoisapositiveattitude.IhaveaPost-itnotonmydeskwithaquotefromRosanneCashwhichsays:Cheerfulnessisachoice.Themoreyoustaypositive,evenifyou'reinatoughsituation,thebetteryou'llbeabletomanage.SuckitUp.Maybeit'snotyourfavoritejob.Maybeyou'dratherbedoingsomethingelse.However,itisapaycheckandifyouneedtheincome,itcanmakesensetostayuntilyousecureanewposition.WhenAllElseFails.Whenkeepingyourjobsimplyisn'tfeasible,anditisn'talways,takethetimetopreparetojobsearchandplanyourdeparture,soyou'renotscramblingtofindajobbecauseyoujustgotterminated.