Often times I’ve found that when job contracts come to an and are not going to be renewed, or when people are moving on in their careers to another company or perhaps they have been laid off, they find themselves acting in such a way that burns bridges. Some become disruptive in the workplace or take on a devil-may-care attitude that leaves a sour taste and negative memory of them after they leave.
This is never wise at any point in your career, no matter how bad things are where you are working. It’s important to remember that you never know who you may come across again in the future or who the people in your workplace know in your industry. Consider that if you leave with a bad reputation, this impression continues on with your managers and co-workers, and that may come back to haunt you, sooner or later, in your career.
I once had a co-worker who was at the end of her contract; the month before she left, she burned almost every bridge that she created while in that position. She became combative toward her managers, was loud around her co-workers and openly disrespectful of the company. Because the industry we worked in at the time was very close-knit, word of her behaviour became common knowledge and it took her over a year and half to find a new place of employment. Of course, this could have been due to the economy, or perhaps it was a direct result of the word spreading about her attitude. Remember too, that most people will have to rely on a recommendation from their previous place of work before they get a new position at a different company.
Another past coworker, also at the end of her contract but with the possibility of a different placement within the organization, also became very boisterous before she left. Her dedication to her workload slowed, her breaks got noticeably longer and she too became inappropriately loud. Not surprisingly, no other role was made available for her even though before this demonstrated behaviour, she was a valued employee.
On the flip-side, it’s also important to remember when you interview with an organization, you should stay positive and respectful of the interviewer, even if you aren’t offered the job. Thank them for their time, and ask what you might have done differently in the interview, and perhaps what made the candidate chosen for the role better suited for it than you.
In the past, I interviewed for a position that I didn’t end up getting, but I remained professional and courteous toward the interviewer after being turned down. I asked her to remember me if she came across anything that she thought I might be better suited for, and she did. Not long after being turned down for the role within her organization she referred me to another position with a strong recommendation to the new hiring manager.
Had I done things differently, perhaps not responding to her email informing me that I was not being offered the job, or if I came across as being negative toward her or my not being selected, chances are slim that she would have given me the recommendation for the new position.
Keep these things in mind when you are ending your employment, or when missing out on an opportunity, no matter what the circumstances are. You never know when you’ll come across these people again and you never know who they may speak to about your behaviour within your chosen field.
So, you’re stuck in a job for which you are probably overqualified and underpaid. This “survival work” is often what we have to take to stay afloat financially, especially during recessions and economic downturns — to deal with the pressures of rent or mortgage to pay, children to take care of and general daily expenses.
The question is, how do we handle survival work while trying to move forward in our careers?
There are several key things to keep in mind. Read on for some helpful tips:
If the work that you are doing is totally unrelated to your career goals or education, it is important to consider taking steps that relate to your goals. Think about your place of work and the positions they have that might be more in line with your experience; see if you can take on some projects in those departments. Let’s say you are an Event Planner by trade, or are aspiring to be one; does your place of work have any events that you can assist with? If not, consider thinking of some events that you can take the lead on, maybe a monthly pot luck or after work socials? Or maybe you can join or begin a social committee.
If your present line of work does not allow opportunities for you to pursue, consider volunteering with an organization on weekends or after work that does involve your career goals. Perhaps you’re an Accountant, but cannot find work in that field; consider calling non-profits or smaller organizations to see if there is an opportunity to volunteer some time to get their books in order.
Find a non-profit organisation on 211 Toronto, to check out their volunteer postins or contact them to offer to volunteer
Also, consider joining a recognized professional organisation in your field. You might have to pay for membership, so do some research into costs and choose the one that best meets your budget and needs. The benefits of joining these organizations can be many. They often have job boards for members. They might also offer monthly networking events where you could meet other members of the organization to help you expand your network; if you’re lucky, you may just be in the right place at the right time for someone to give you a head’s up on a position they have, or know of. In these organizations you will probably also meet people who are, or have been in your position and they may have tips for “coping in the meantime.” If nothing else, being a member of professional associations allows you to add something highly recognizable to your resume.
A detailed listing of National Professional Organizations is also offered by The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC)
Another possibility, depending on your place of work, is to find out what professional development opportunities your current employer might offer. This may include sending you to conferences, paid courses or assisting with tuition for educational upgrading.
Sometimes it becomes easier to stay where you are because it’s “safe”. This is true in many cases and the thought may be appealing because you consider the fact that you are already a part of the organization and are guaranteed a pay cheque. If that is the case, then perhaps you should consider working hard on moving up in the company in which you are already a part.
Regardless of what situation you find yourself in, one of the biggest dangers of survival work is becoming stuck in a rut. Getting caught in a rut may lead to feelings of frustration and anxiety. Instead of worrying about what you don’t have, focus on where you want to be and make things happen.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on survival jobs; maybe you can share with other readers what your experiences have been. Or maybe you have some more tips? Feel free to join the discussion by leaving us a comment.
Perhaps you have given some thought to the idea of volunteering as a way “in” to your favourite business, but have you considered it a way to expand your network, meet other like-minded people and boost your resume?
As many of you may know, summer is often a slow period for hiring, but Toronto is brimming with spring and summer events that can connect you to hundreds of other people who are interested in the same causes and activities as you. Also, if you perform well, you may just be considered the next time people are hiring for paid positions.
Volunteering can make you feel good
There are a variety of events that occur throughout the city and they cover multi-cultural festivals, food and drink, cinema and various charities to name a few.
Is a certain medical condition meaningful to you? Why not consider contacting a local organization and asking to be put on their volunteer list? You can find organizations of interest by calling 211 in Toronto, or checking out Toronto 211 online.
Volunteering is also a great way to be exposed to different type of jobs that you may not have previously considered. And who knows, you may find that you enjoy doing something that you never thought you’d be interested in before.
The same rule applies to the various places or organizations that you can volunteer for. Have you always wanted to know what the Caribbean culture is like? Why not volunteer for Caribana? Or perhaps you love Italian food? Consider Taste of Little Italy.
Here are some handy do’s and don’ts for volunteering:
Volunteer for something you think you might enjoy: If you’re going to give your time to a cause, try thinking of something that will not only look good on your resume, but perhaps something that you are passionate about. If you’re happy, it will show!
Don’t be late: If you show up late for your shift, potential employers will remember this and it may affect your recommendation or chances to be considered in the future.
Dress appropriately for the event: If it’s casual and you’re going to be on your feet all day, wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You’ll often be given a Volunteer t-shirt to wear so that you can be easily recognized by others.
Be respectful of everyone: You never know who you’re meeting—that burly gentleman who wants to sit at the front could be the hiring manager at your next place of work. Or perhaps the grumpy lady at reception is also the receptionist at your new potential place of work.
Be willing to do something you hate: You may be asked to help with something like clean-up or perhaps inflating balloons. Remember that no one likes to do these odd jobs, but they still have to be done. Your willingness to participate in the less glamourous positions will be noted. Of course, never do something that you think may be harmful to your health or that you really cannot do (so, if you have a bad back, don’t offer to carry heavy weights).
Don’t wait until the last minute to volunteer for events, the most coveted spots are typically grabbed up quickly. Don’t let that discourage you though, there are so many positions you can apply for—just keep in mind you may not get your first choice.
Perhaps the most important advice I can offer however, is that no matter which organization you choose, have fun! You’re bound to learn something new, you’ll meet new people, possibly make new friends and you’ll definitely take something positive out of your experience.
Now here are some volunteer resources and websites that I recommend you take a look at when considering your volunteer opportunities.
In an increasingly digital world, many of us have decided to join the social media bandwagon and have created profiles on networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
There is no doubt that there is an importance of social media to increase your online visibility, but it is just as important to remember to create boundaries between your personal and professional online activities.
So how do you integrate the two effectively and efficiently without running into grey areas?
All the above mentioned networking sites can be useful in your job search, but don’t forget that many companies that are interested in you for a position will likely perform an online search of your name to see what kind of information comes up. Remember this key fact when you’re posting pictures and updates on your profile pages. A potential employer may not think that you and your friends slinging back shots at that birthday party is the image that they want their new hire to portray.
Facebook is a great way to connect with friends and increasingly with businesses, but you can’t always control what other people post about you. If you’re worried about comments you’ve made or potentially damaging pictures being viewed by people outside of your network, make sure to check your settings so that people who shouldn’t have access to such material is blocked.
LinkedIn is similar to Facebook in that you make several connections, but it is a much more business oriented tool. Many employers will upload job posts and it’s a great way to find out information on company profiles and the types of employees that are currently working for them. Update your LinkedIn profile regularly and remember to keep it professional.
Twitter has quickly become a tool that many people are using to network about jobs and events that are going on all over the world. Here, you are limited to 140 characters maximum, so you get snippets of information of all kinds. Do a search on companies or topics that interest you and then “follow” their tweets to get instant updates from them. You can use Twitter to tell people what you are interested in and what you are doing, but again, remember that unless you lock your account, anyone, including potential employers may see what you’re up to.
So, if you choose to utilize any number of social networking tools out there, remember to be mindful of the things that you say, the pictures that you post and how these things represent you to others. It’s good practice to Google your name every so often to see what’s out there. You may just be surprised at what you find…
Kate Parkinson
Chris Blake
Jackie Gilhooley
Janelle Watkins
Joanna Samuels
JVS Career Voice blog Administrator
Karin Lewis
Tessa Shillingford
