Winning the Career Race - One Step Back Could Mean Three Steps Forward!....For many losing a job might mean they ran out of luck. For others it can become a journey of discovery and creating their own luck.In the past month I met two individuals who created their own luck. Both had decent careers and they thought they were on positive career paths. In one, I'll call him Jack, his company was sold, and most of the jobs eliminated. In the other, I'll call her Jackie, the company made several missteps in the marketplace and everyone lost their jobs as the company went out of business.
Both came to the same conclusion, they would accept temporary positions at a bit over minimum wage in industries they knew little about. In their free time they would look for a "real" job.
Jackie began working in a local outlet of a large (not the largest) fast food restaurant. She decided the best way to enjoy the position was to learn everything she could and make whatever contribution was necessary to do an outstanding job. She read company manuals, learned the food preparation process, helped train new employees and volunteered for extra assignments.
After six weeks she was offered the assistant managers job. Today, after three years, she is a district manager responsible for six restaurants and over 200 employees. She is saving for the purchase of her own franchise, which she expects to have opened in the next year.
Jack took a job on the overnight shift at Wal-Mart, bringing in merchandise and stocking shelves. He reasoned he could work nights and look for a "real" job during the daytime. Since Wal-Mart had computer learning modules available for associates, Jack took advantage of the opportunity and studied everything available. Within a short time, whenever the assistant manager was not scheduled, he was put in charge of the over night stocking crew.
A couple of months later, when a department manager's job opened on the day shift, he bid on the job and was promoted. Within a year, doing more than what was expected and doing it well, he applied for and was promoted into an assistant store manger position. After three years, a store manager position opened in a nearby community, he bid on the position and was promoted to store manager. He now continues to do more than is expected running a $40 million a year retail operation and managing over 250 employees.
Both agreed if they had listened to friends advising them that taking a job slightly above the minimum wage was suicide for their careers they would have missed the career opportunities. Both jobs were way below their education and experience levels. But they both recognized that career opportunities are everywhere. Often opportunities show up in unexpected places.
Both differentiated themselves in the workplace. They not only did what was expected of them; they did it very well, and then did a bit more. Becoming good team mates, helping others and learning all they could about the industry led them to create their own luck. Employers are always looking for individuals with initiative.
To often the attitude of many is they will only do extra work if they get paid for it, or they will only take on extra responsibility if their pay is increased first. They have it absolutely backwards. If you do the work, do it well and then do it even better, as Jackie and Jack demonstrated, higher pay, greater responsibilities and increased opportunities will follow. How lucky is that?
John Groth is a former HR executive and career coach. Find Job Hunting Ideas, valuable articles and more employment suggestions. Discover up to date career and recruitment strategies at our Career Idea Guide; all to assist you in advancing and developing your career.
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