Tuesday, October 6, 2009

the PLU career series

didnt want to audaciously assume that id be dishing out career advice. but i do receive career queries from time to time, from well-meaning PLU's perhaps just starting out on their careers.

for those readers, here is probably a regular column on careers from someone who's been at it for quite sometime.

itching to jump ship?

man, i get complaints from people who hate where they are right now. they can't wait to get out of the rut they are in. sorry to hear about that.

first reaction: unemployment everywhere is rising. decades-high rate in the u.s. thank heavens you are employed. seriously. for the sake of paying the bills, maintaining that gym membership, and that malate lifestyle, keep the job.

yeah, yeah. it sucks. you have a gazillion reasons not to stay. but now is not the time. and once you are part of the unemployed, the longer you stay unemployed, the less attractive you become in the job market. it's a vicious cycle.

so what to do? keep that job. do it right. no matter how much it sucks. learn to love it, because that's the surefire way of excelling in it. you gotta work at excellence, giving it your best shot every time. no sloppy paperwork. make every little thing look like you put a lot of thought into it.

ok. from time to time you might slacken. but that should be the exception, not the rule.

go for the brownie points, for that seal of approval from some higher up. that's how you improve the resume. not by jumping from one ship to another.

8 comments:

Tony said...

Hmmm... it's a balance. People need to risk to improve themselves.

Doesn't matter what the economic situation is. If it's a good idea, it will always be a good idea whatever the circumstance (but of course one needs to weigh in the risks, do his due diligence and not just jump blindly).

It also depends on a person's value set at that particular point in time. If you value your security more than your freedom of expression then by all means stay with your job.

Bottomline? Take calculated risks or you will always regret not having taken any.

Ming Meows said...

patience lang talaga.

Anonymous said...

that's what i tell my friends too, i have a couple who are itching to resign.

you couldn't have said it any better.

it's the circle of concern vs. the circle of influence thing. we focus on things we can change, do it the best we can and we'll get noticed.

everyone notices a great job. :)

Jr Martillo said...

But what if you have given your best for 3 years? Got recognized for a job well done but no promotion? Should you still stick it out or look for a new job?

rudeboy said...

Life's full of tough choices, hm.

ONAI said...

thanks for the great advice

Mark Morningstar said...

haaay, i wish i could absorb this.. bwahaha T_T

Anonymous said...

i just decided to jump ship bcoz i will be uncomfy working with somebody who i have spoken my love for him... i'd rather sit daydreaming somewhere or getting busy rather than being hurt bcoz he is ignoring me...