Job Seekers: Who are you?

Most tenured employees at any one specific company could go on and on about the number of “newbies” who come and go in their positions, with a good many of them not staying for very long. It’s typical. It’s certainly not unexpected. But why does it happen so frequently?

I stumbled into this topic for today’s blog after a recent conversation with co-workers. We were sitting around, talking about the weather, swapping success stories and ended up discussing the number of people who have come and go from this office. My co-workers all work in sales, and they believe most people don’t make it because they are just not cut out for it or the job just wasn’t what they expected it to be.

Interesting water cooler talk, right? It certainly gave me a great idea for a helpful blog! I think it ‘s not just sales jobs that are a revolving door for new employees, but jobs in general. Today’s workforce is drastically different from the days where our grandparents retired from a company with a full pension and over 25 years with the same company.

We can narrow down the reasons behind this revolving door trend by asking ourselves two questions:
1. Have I ever worked somewhere where I did not get along with my co-workers? 2. Did I ever work somewhere that I absolutely hated the job?
Here are some helpful tips to think about. Understanding these questions about yourself and developing answers to go with them is going to help you along your way to finding a job and, even better, a job that you will like and hopefully get along with most of the people that work there.

How do you learn? By now, after years of being in school, taking tests and gaining all that knowledge, you hopefully know what is the best way for you to learn new material. The same manner of learning that got you through school is going to serve you well for learning in the workplace. If you are a visual learner, then ask your supervisor to give you written material to aid you in learning the job and what is required of you. If you are a hands-on learner, feel free to ask your supervisor or fellow employees to demonstrate the tasks you will need to complete.

No matter how you learn, knowing your learning aptitude and ability is key to understanding and creating your success in the working world.

What is your “workplace” personality? Beware! This can be vastly different than your personality outside of the office. Clean it up a bit! I mean you are who you are, but remember there is a time and a place for certain attitudes, words, and conversations. Knowing your personality type will help you identify personality types which you may potentially clash with. Knowing these things will be important when it comes to working in the cubicle world that is corporate America.

What is Work Style and how can you identify yours? The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or MBTI, is the best- known personality inventory site that will pinpoint your personality to highlight your work style. Go check it out and learn your working style before you take a job that may not fit:
http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html

To learn more about Myersz- Brigg check out the foundation site:
http://www.myersbriggs.org/

What is unique about you? What do you have to offer a company that no one else does?. What can you do that will benefit the company? What will you bring to the table that is going to make an employer hire you? Identify these points before going through the interview process so you can discuss them then, but keep them in mind once you accept your position. They will help to form your every day work ethic.

What is your definition of success? Why is this important? Well, if you know what goals you want to reach and where you want to go in your career, then it will help you look for jobs that will move you along your identified career goal path. Your definition may change as you get older and as your career changes but having your personal definition of success will guide you during the times you get discouraged and unable to attain your goals.

Do you have a better idea of who you are? Hopefully this blog helped you get a better understanding of yourself, your work goals, your personality type and what you want in a career. Now, use that knowledge to find a job and build a career in the workplace jungle.

Job seekers -- What is your take on this blog? Have you ever thought about these things in relation to getting the most out of your job or to help find a job? Let me know and I will post your comments for others to read.

IMPORTANT: Are you a job seeker that is doing everything they can to find a job but still not having any luck? Well, if so I am here to help. I am looking to do a feature on a local job seeker. It will be a feature highlighting you! Send me your resume and a head shot (that’s a picture of you in a nice shirt from the shoulders up) to carly.sabato@employmentguide.com and I will get back with you. Remember, you have to go the extra mile these days to get a job, so take this opportunity to spotlight yourself.


Carly Sabato