Blog written by recruiter Koreena Geisler-Wagner.
What do you think of when you hear the word “career”? Do you think of that one fantastic company you’ll start working for and be promoted within until retirement? One thing we all tend to overlook from time to time is that our career is constantly growing, changing, and developing, and it begins the moment we enter the workforce full-time. Your career is the total summation of all your previous experiences and those yet to come. In today’s world, and the current market, it is rare that one can take a job and stay there through retirement– most people have either been let go or had their positions eliminated at some point in their lives.
The days of job security and lengthy “careers” at the same company are over; nothing is guaranteed. In her article “Job Security is Disappearing– What Does it Mean for You?” Liz Ryan discusses how to treat your career like a business and run it as though you are the CEO. Here are a few of our favorite points:
- Know how your work affects the bottom line. Is your position essential? Or is it a luxury, “nice-to-have” function that the company can get by without? Time and time again at Contemporaries we see that employers will find a way to keep those individuals who are indispensable and add value to the organization. When companies say they are eliminating “non-essential” personnel due to budgetary restraints, it’s a nice way of saying they would rather pay those people who go above and beyond the call of duty in their respective positions. Strive to be an essential individual!
- Open your mind to all opportunities. Yes, landing a full-time job with great benefits and paid health insurance is the ideal we want to attain, but looking and applying only for these jobs automatically excludes many other opportunities that would add value and experience to your career.
- Don’t fall asleep the minute you land a job. Great, you have a wonderful job– now it’s time to dig in and really show this company that you can deliver all the things you promised in your interview. Stay awake, alert, and be ready to add value in any way you can to prove your indispensability.
Today’s message for increased awareness and keeping one’s job is brought to you by Contemporaries.
Photo: retrieved from Pixabay, available under the public domain.