If you’ve ever been unemployed, you know the joy that comes from finally getting that job offer.
But that elation may be tempered by the fact that the job pays less than your previous one, or is certainly lower on the career status level than you desire.
According to an Urban Institute research, job seekers have taken positions that pay 16 percent less than what they earned before the Great Recession. It’s not uncommon for experienced professionals to accept lower status jobs, or even part-time work as a way to hang on to existing jobs or get new ones.
And while you may tell yourself – and anyone else within earshot – that you’re grateful to have any kind of job no matter the title or pay, the truth is that it hurts. And ticks you off a bit.
It makes you angry that your skills are being underutilized and that you’re in a job that won’t help you get ahead. You’re peeved that you are working alongside those with fewer skills or less experience – when in a sane world you would be managing them!
If this is your attitude, it’s time to make a change. Because believe it or not, you can learn valuable lessons from any job – lessons that could actually help you develop a more successful career. It’s time to flip your thinking by:
1. Attending management class. If you have less authority in a new job, use it as an opportunity to step back and observe how others handle their management duties. What interpersonal styles work best and which ones wreak havoc? What can you take from those observations to improve your own performance in the future should you regain a leadership position?
2. Getting back in touch. The problem as you rise in the ranks is that you often lose touch with the people doing the work on the front lines. If you’re doing a job (read the rest here.)
1 comment:
I'm in agreement with your point that says " get connected". As a professional musician, I use Facebook to network with other local and regional artists.
Just the simple fact of knowing that one person/artist has "mutual friends", makes all the difference in my career. It allows me to cast a wider net even a while having a private FaceBook profile. The other nice fact is that while I do not have to talk to everyone on a "day by day" basis, I am able to reach out to them quickly via Facebook.
whilke I'm not a big FaceBook person, and only have a "presence" online on that site (only 1 picture and professional website link available)... many social media outlets can be utilized responsibly. Use your Social Media powers for good and not evill you should be heading in the right direction eventually.
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