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Are You Job Smart?
People who are
job smart understand what it takes to keep a job. They
respect their employers and co-workers and do their part to
make their workplace a positive one. Being job smart also
provides a sense of job security. That doesn’t necessarily
mean a person who is job smart will always have the same
job, but it does mean they’ll have the skills to keep a job.
Why does keeping a job matter?
We all know
why employers want employees they can keep. Hardworking,
loyal employees get the work done well and often faster.
That translates into continued business for their employer.
But why does keeping a job matter to you?
Below are five strong reasons to keep a job. Which are
important to you?
A sense of pride
Doing a job well can increase your confidence in yourself
and in your skills. And knowing you contribute to a team can
give you a sense of accomplishment and pride.
A steady pay cheque
It’s
no secret that knowing where your next pay cheque is coming
from is a major reason for keeping a job. You need money to
support yourself and your family, so a regular pay cheque is
very important. Keeping a job can lead to financial
independence and less stress about money problems.
Increased chance of job advancement
Keeping a job for months or years gives you time to learn to
do the job well and prove that you can be an asset to the
business. This could lead to a promotion, new job
responsibilities or an increase in your salary.
A good reference from your employer if you
decide to change jobs
In
today’s labour market, people change jobs more than ever
before. Working at one company for several years looks good
on a résumé. And, chances are, if your employer has kept you
on that long, he or she will give you a positive
recommendation if you decide it’s time to try something new.
Opportunities to develop personal or
technical skills
Keeping a job can also mean opportunities to learn new
skills. This could mean on-the-job training or attending a
workshop. If you’ve been working in your job for some time,
your employer is more likely to invest time or money in your
training.
How
to be job smart
To improve your
job smart skills, look for ways to exceed your employer’s
expectations whenever you can. You’ll stand apart from your
co-workers and become a more valuable employee than someone
who does the bare minimum.
Below are
some surefire ways to exceed your employer’s expectations:
Get involved if you see an opportunity to
help a co-worker complete a project.
A guaranteed way to help you succeed in your job is to
help your co-workers and your supervisor succeed at theirs.
Your supervisor will appreciate the efforts you make to be
part of the team.
Try learning some of the responsibilities of
your co-workers. That way when one of them
is absent from work, you can offer to fill in for them. Your
willingness and eagerness to help will not go unnoticed.
Don’t be afraid to jump in and offer to
help if a major deadline for a project is approaching.
The members of your team—including your
supervisor—are sure to appreciate the extra help and your
initiative will increase your value in their eyes. Just make
sure your work schedule allows you to take on extra work and
your supervisor approves.
Ask for help if you need it. Being part of a team is about being comfortable asking
for help as well. It’s important to seek and get help when
you need it to get the job done in good time.
Keep a record of the classes you are taking
that relate to your job or personal growth.
Discuss them with your supervisor during performance
reviews and other opportunities. This shows you are willing
to learn new things and become a more valued employee.
Copyright ©
2005 Cameron Consulting Group. All Rights Reserved.
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