Thursday Trim the Trash Time: July 6, 2017
What to Look for in a Job
Happy Thursday friends and welcome back to “Trim the Trash Time.” This week has been all about jobs and employment so today we are going to go over what to look for in a job. It can be hard navigating the employment landscape. Very good jobs are hard to find and sometimes sacrifices have to be made. Just like people, no job is perfect, but you can find one with some solid qualities. You just have to know what to look for and my hope in this post is to show you what can help you in the hunt. It is also a good way to evaluate your current employment, so if your current job isn’t measuring up, it might be time to look elsewhere.
1) Politics
I personally love politics, but not in the workplace. Politics can literally ruin a work environment. Just like the coach’s son getting on the team for no reason, some people seem to do nothing and it gets overlooked. Just like good work being rewarded, bad work must be handled as well. If not it breeds an atmosphere of discontent. People start to think: “Why should I work hard if that guy is lazy and gets all that he wants?” That is politics and I want no part in it. The best jobs have very little politics and those are the ones you should strive for.
2) Recognition
Tying into point 1, getting recognition for a job well done is important. Merit is huge, so when you go the extra mile, someone better show some love. It is weird how we all can thank someone for holding a door open for us yet a boss won’t thank you for taking care of their business. Employers take note, thanking your employees is huge. If you see or know of a meritocracy work environment, strive to work there immediately.
3) Promote and Pay
Tying into point 1 and 2; more important than recognition is the paper, or the plastic in Canada, to back it up. What good is a pat on the back if it doesn’t come with the money? There has to be some sort of upward mobility system to keep good employees. If there isn’t, talented people will eventually leave. Money motivates, so your employer must pay accordingly. Money is respect, and if you don’t get paid right it means you aren’t respected. Employers take note of that one too, straight up. Seek out a job with upward mobility or else you will never be satisfied.
4) Fear/Subordination
Going to work every day shouldn’t be a fearful event. You shouldn’t be thinking maybe I will make a mistake and that will be the end of me. If you are doing your best and are pleasant to work with, fear shouldn’t be part of the job. The worst employers are the ones that rule with an iron fist. Those are also the ones that seem to have the highest turnover, go figure. When applying for a job, make sure to look at all the employee’s faces. The expressions can tell you a lot about the environment they work in. Fear has no place in the workplace in my humble opinion.
5) Employee Benefits
If you are looking for a career it MUST have benefits. If it doesn’t, it will cost you a lot of money out of pocket. Even a job that offers partial health benefits coverage is better than no coverage. Even better is a job that offers some sort of retirement or savings program. Yes, the dollars matter, but almost as important is the gesture of the employer showing they care for their employees. By providing benefits and profit sharing measures they are showing that they are committed to your success as an individual and wish to retain you long term. That is a job you should flock to, it’ll be good for your future.
6) Passion
You should try to find a job that makes you passionate. I do know it is tough because it isn’t always possible. We all need to get by, so work as much as you can. While you are working, try to find what you are passionate about. Do what you have to do to get that job. The reason is simple: Money won’t matter as much if you love what you do. Retirement will never be an issue if you love what you do. I personally never want to retire because it is my wish to continue doing what I love. Find something you are passionate about and the rest will fall into place, believe me.
This post was by no means a directive to quit your current job. My posts are always meant to make you think. Think about your current situation; think about what you want for your future. Think about how you work and how you get treated at work. Think about how you get paid and if you really deserve it. If you deserve less work harder or keep quiet. If you deserve more be vocal or find other opportunities. The true secret to employment is understanding yourself, and what you need. That will make the job search easy. You have to remember that you will be working the majority of your life so it will be the key to your success. Put as much in as you want out, but make sure you get what you want out of it too.
Thanks for reading my post today and tune in tomorrow for my final reflection on employment week. Have a great day friends!
“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” – Barack Obama
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Joseph James Francis is a Financial Advisor. You can find him on various social media platforms and at budgetboss.ca.