The Unconventional Guide to Keeping a Job

Whenever things go a bit sour in a job I’m doing, I always tell myself, ‘You can do better than this.’
Dr. Seuss

Finding the perfect working conditions that you desire within any given organization is like assuming that you will have everything you ever wanted in a friend or a spouse. Organizations have their own structural, financial, developmental, cultural, regulatory and administrative differences, and so when you get a job, be rest assured that it will take a certain amount of effort to fully integrate and excel at your job.

Unlike generations X and Y, millennials are quite quick to start considering a change in jobs at the slightest discomfort that is experienced at the workplace. We had generations before the millennials (people born between the year 1912- 1970) who kept their jobs for over 3 decades and were fulfilled in their work.

There are certain benefits to staying with an organization over a period of time. Some people might think that it is impossible but it takes a lot of discipline, focus and requires proper determination of one’s career objectives.

In this article, we will share with you some Unconventional Tips that can help you enjoy your work and excel at it, earn you the respect of your colleagues, and hopefully keep those constant job-hopping urges at bay.

1. It Starts with Having Clear Career Goals: You need to determine your career goals and make sure they align with your objectives as a person. It is easier to find the right kind of job when you know what you are looking for career-wise.

2. Know The Growth Plan for Your Job
   Once you have settled in for a new job, know what the growth plans or steps are for your job. Sets goals for yourself and make up your mind to stay in the organization and achieve those goals. Good organizations have clear growth paths for their employees to grow in their careers.

3. Develop and Challenge Yourself: Strive to become a better-skilled employee than whoever you were employed as. Growth is a very significant part of life and it can be observed and measured, especially at the workplace. Don’t say a task is impossible – push boundaries, ask questions, research and be the go-to person for solutions to work challenges at the office.

4. Be Proactive: Learn to be proactive and take initiative. In taking initiative however, be careful to follow the guidelines in your organization and do not act recklessly. Proactivity involves anticipating situations that could bring pressure to the team and taking positive actions ahead of time.

5. Be Responsible: Take responsibility for your actions at all times. Do not shift blame on to other people. Mistakes are not bad, but your attitude after making a mistake says a lot about you.

6. Be Accountable: At all times, you need to be conversant with all aspects of your work, your team and also your department. Pay attention to detail always. This makes you accountable and increases your confidence level. It also increases the confidence that your co-workers have in you.

7. Build Good Relationships with your Colleagues: Try to be warm and pleasant when dealing with people. Do not be condescending towards junior people, and do not be rebellious towards your supervisors. They need to trust your loyalty at all levels.

8. Never Disclose Your Salary to Co-workers: Some things are really personal and your salary is one of them. You may automatically get a colleague disgruntled by letting him/her know that you earn more than he/she does.

9. Be Participatory: Learn a little something about everything within the organization and be sure to participate in almost all activities directly or indirectly related to your job functions. As non-compulsory as it may seem, skipping a company party can make you seem aloof or not committed to team activities.

10. Commit to Your Company’s Vision: Be committed to the vision and mission of your company. Always ensure that you project a positive image of the organization. Speaking negatively about the organization you work for and disrespecting leadership is an act of organizational disloyalty.

11. Be punctual and neat: Punctuality and neatness are two very vital qualities every employee must have. Being consistent in these two values sets you very high amongst your peers especially when leadership decisions are being considered.

12. Leave your personal life at home: Though it can be hard to separate your personal life from your work sometimes, if you want to be professional, then you have to make an effort to compartmentalize and stay focused when you’re at work. If you go to work and complain about your daughter or your boyfriend, then you’ll have a reputation of not having it all together.

13. Accept and Give Feedback Graciously: Irrespective of the ways through which people give you feedback, take the feedback with a positive attitude and work towards improving in the identified areas. If you act defensive or angrily when your boss critiques your work, then you’ll have a reputation of being stubborn and difficult to work with. You don’t want your boss to dread having to give you feedback or to struggle to have a constructive conversation with you. In the same way, also learn how to give feedback to your juniors and your superiors on tasks. Reports are proof that jobs have been carried out.

14. Be Self Motivated: You don’t want to be the guy or girl who immediately checks her Facebook timeline as soon as the boss is out of sight, and then acts busy when the boss comes around again.

15. Go the Extra Mile: Sometimes you will have to put in extra work and time because you have a task at hand that needs to be completed urgently. You don’t want to seem like you are always watching the clock, ready to rush home the second that it becomes close of business. If your boss needs you to stick around once in a while, agree to do so in a friendly, positive manner.