Game Plans for Work & Life

As you envision your future, get clear about what you want. Make a list of the talents you have to offer, how you’ve used those talents in the past, the accomplishments you’ve achieved using them and the value you are able to bring to other settings, Then, let people know around you specific ways they might be able to help. Talk about it, let your friends and colleagues know what interests you and communicate it clearly. The more others understand specifically what you want, the more they may be able to assist you in turning your dream to reality or finding a job that’ll fit.

 Ensure that people take you seriously. The clearer your communication, the more others will understand and can help you. Here’s an example from an everyday context.. If you go into a restaurant on a hot summer day and say “I want a drink that isn’t carbonated,” a glass of room temperature water may get plunked on your table because you didn’t ask for anything more specific. However, if you say “I want a tall glass of unsweetened iced tea with lots of lemon and lots of ice,” you’re more apt to get what you asked for because of the clear way you requested it. 

 Recently some colleagues and I went to a local pub to celebrate a successful program, and requested, “the largest, best Margarita you can make!” The bartender glanced our way, smiled with thumbs up and we each were served LARGE beer steins filled with delicious Margaritas, topped with cocktail umbrellas and skewered fruit. Obviously the bartender “got our request!”  Later came the tab…that’s another story.

 From childhood many of us were taught to “accept what you get and be grateful.” Those lessons were important when values were being instilled growing up. That was then; this is now. Expand that image into one where you paint a picture of what you want with all the details. If you can’t make it happen at work, create it in your leisure or home life, There’s an old saying “the clearer the picture, the stronger the motivation to get you there; the fuzzier the picture, the more easily you get sidetracked. 

 “What’s in your vision?” And “Who knows about it?”

 These tips are written “to calm the jitters” on a new job, regardless of age or experience. Now that you’re in a new position, organizations have their own culture and quirks. Get a head start; here’s how!

Before you ever show up for Day I – Check out commute time and alternate ways to get there when traffic problems arise. Observe appropriate attire and dress accordingly. Is a cafeteria on site or do you need to bring your own lunch? Are you permitted to personalize your office? Familiarize yourself with the local area to locate amenities in the neighborhood.  

 Avoid conducting personal business on company time. That includes overuse of all PDAs for personal use and internet access. Learn names; avoid gossip yet express “thanks for the heads up” when pertinent advice is offered.

 Expect A Learning Curve…Everything is new. So relax and take it one day at a time.

 Manage Your Reputation from Day One…Think ahead what “public identity” you want to introduce to the organization?  Think before you speak.

 Important first days: Create your own game plan … From the minute you arrive on Day 1, form a positive first impression with all you meet. Learn the ropes; ask questions; learn about the demands placed on your manager and others near you. Formulate your own learning agenda about where you need to focus and grow, whom will you ask as questions arise, critical work times during the day, week, and month, style of the office, management style and idiosyncrasies of the department.  Find out which skills and talents of yours will be most valued and by whom.    

 Participate in company sponsored Onboarding program…Learn the “lay of the land,” ask questions and expand your knowledge of “how things work.” Obviously you convinced key players that you have significant value to share. During this period, you may complete a myriad of forms; learn about the organization, strategic as well as tactical information. Use this time to learn names and function of key players, the org. chart, required events. Begin to put names with faces, where your expertise may be valued and important. Figure out who are your “go to” people to get things done and identify internal business partners for diverse parts of the organization.

 Get acquainted all around. Take initiative to meet department stakeholders plus others who can make your life easier at work. Put your experience to work. Hint: receptionists, admin assistants, and support staff are often one’s “salvation” on the job.   

 Look for ways to differentiate yourself…Establish your own style, work ethic, consistent behaviors. Look for ways to become a “go to” person in your area.   

 Value Diversity…Engage multiple generations and cultures in your work. Respect differences and invite inclusiveness.

 Take advantage of “knowledge transfer”…learn from experienced workers before they retire. Ask questions and once you have a handle on that subject, pass it on. Knowing how and where to transfer knowledge and creating ways to leave an individual legacy are important for mindful career development strategists.

 Expect New Terminology…Its all around us. Global economy; off shoring; Friday furloughs; mergers and acquisitions; reorganizing, restructuring, flexible work arrangements (fwa); telecommuting, age-related perks, discrimination, are just a few. Learn internal company acronyms, traditions and initiatives.

 Accept Responsibility for Mistakes…Simply put, admit the truth. Debrief what happened, learn from the experience and how to avoid it in the future and move on.

When something similar comes up in the future, “don’t repeat history. “ Make a higher quality mistake next time around.   

 Strive for work/life balance…Control stress; cultivate outside interests, activities, and engage in fun times with family and friends. Don’t just survive, thrive. Watchwords for working today are change (its all we can count on), flexibility (don’t get too comfortable with the current situation), and collaborative communication (more than ever before, fewer people are doing more in less time with limited resources. We must work cohesively with colleagues).  

Keep in mind…    “Everything that happens to you is your teacher. The secret is to learn to sit at the feet of your own life and be taught by it.”      -Polly B. Berends

Once you have identified an organization that may be a good fit for you, try a technique called the “informational interview.” Find a person in an organization where you’d like to work and ask specific questions about the work and employment there. One of the best ways to get an info interview is through third party referrals. Reach out to your network and see if someone knows a person who works at that organization and can arrange an info interview for you. This can also be done by researching recent articles written by someone in that org., or looking the company up in Moody’s or Vault.com.  Due to time constraints, you may need to do the info interview on the phone or online if visiting the site isn’t feasible.

FYI…if you do get to interview someone on site, check out the environment, type of person you meet in the lobby and elevators, level of friendliness, style of clothing people wear.  This is a good way to informally learn about the internal culture and if it really may be a good career fit.  This is a great way to find out if this field and work environment really interests you.

Use the dozen questions below as a guide for what to ask at an informational interview. Scan them and find 3-5 that feel right for you to launch the conversation.

-Describe a typical day on the job.

-Tell me what are the most valued skills and competencies in this department

- What traits, qualities and characteristics are most valued here? (EX:  team player vs. independence, outgoing, creative, quick decision maker or more thoughtful, etc.

- What behaviors are most needed in this environment?

-Describe methods employed to accomplish your work.

-Are there particularly busy times of the year or is work steady throughout?

-Describe the work ethic in this department?

-Would you consider this department more laid back, intense or somewhere in between?

-What are your regular challenges?

-Describe frustrations you continually face.

-If you knew when you first started what you know now, would you still work here?  Why or why not?

-If I have more questions, who else might I talk with who is knowledgeable like you.

Don’t overstay your welcome.  Establish up front you’ll be there for 15 to 30 minutes max. When your time limit is approaching, wind down the visit and ask to stay in touch with the individual on line or by phone. Thank them and get his or her phone and email address if you haven’t already.  .