Fresh Graduates - Managing Your Career - Myth Three

Myth Three: “You do not have to love what you do. It’s just a job”

Too bad if you were told this many times over in the duration of your life. And worse. You believe it. I can’t imagine the horror you are going through to get the job that fits your academic qualification.

Currently, a lot of organizations are either planning or already into “Talent Management & Succession Planning”. Succession Planning is the result of Talent Management.

You manage talents, i.e. good people, put them through a fast track program that includes development programs and also projects, work assignments with increasing responsibilities, difficulties and risks. The ones that survive will be in the running for the Succession Planning i.e. prepared and readied to take over some senior positions in the organizations.

I was attending a Forum on developing financial professionals recently. One of the items discussed was Talent Management. Of course, we ended up talking about these so-called pool of talents, their academic standards or lack of etc.

I was sitting there listening to all these and I realize we are going off the true intention of talent management. These so called “HR professionals” are also caught in the perception of “You do not have to love what you do.” They were looking at talent from the point of view of academic qualifications and other achievements. In most situations, these talents were never asked what they liked to do? They were assessed based on their academic and work achievements. Even these so called talents are caught up in the “opportunities” that lay ahead. They only see the money, status and glitter. I have known a lot of these so called fast track talents, after many years in it, decided to call it quits, because they realize they are not doing what they love.

Actually, talent is about, well, ummm, “TALENT”. Talents are more often than not, not listed in your CVs or resumes. I am sure you know that you are good at something, and that thing is not listed in your CV. The best thing is that, the thing you are good at, is usually, what you like doing best. For instance, you may be good at cooking, or baking, or swimming, or meeting up people, or even organizing events.

Now, if you look at what your talent is, I bet you, it is not something people will notice going through your CV.

So, if it is not in your CV, how do people know your talent?

Also, if your talent is not in the CV, how do you get people to hire you to do things you love and good at, namely what you are talented at?

What can we do about it?

You do not have a job.

Easy! From my previous articles I wrote about getting involved in the industry or job you like. Even not being paid for it. Something not popular in this part of the world, but it is quite common in the West. Since you love doing what you are doing, then I assure you, you will be good at it, and people will notice you, and… people will want you in their team, and pay you. That is easy for me to say. The difficult part on you is that you have to make the sacrifice of not being paid. That hurts. I know. On the other hand, being unemployed, you are not being paid either. And since you are not doing anything, you are not getting any experience. You are actually not getting any where. So, what you have got to lose.

You have a job but hated it.

You have a job, but it just tires you to think you have to come back to work the next day. You want to leave, but having that paycheck, no matter how small, is a lot better than nothing. True. No arguments from me. Then again, you better do some serious thinking. Do you want to be there doing the same job you do not like for the rest of your life? I don’t think so. My suggestion is to start doing something similar to the group of above. But, try doing it over the weekends or at nights. Get involved in something. Do something. That will create more opportunities for you. Again, what have you got to lose? Some fun weekends and night sleep? Life gets better when your life gets better.

You have a job, you like the company but not the job.

You like the company and the people around you, but the work you are doing is not something to shout about. Actually, this is where the myth comes from. Most people are caught up in this “rut”, and can’t seem to get out. They sit there, day-in and day-out. Nothing changes. They wait for things to happen or for the boss to notice them and give them that raise or promotion. Remember, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”

In the book “Whistle while you work – heeding your life’s calling”, by Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro (ISBN 1-57675-103-1), there is one line that particularly took my attention. It is located at the bottom of page 62 and top of page 63. It says, “Do you need to quit your job and start all over doing something new? Or can you do something new without having to start all over?” We have discussed on the first part of the quote. But, the second part of the quote really changes my attitude about my own job. I can grumble about my own job, or figure out how best I can make it better.

Remember I mentioned about talent. This is where it comes in handy. If you love organizing events, ask your boss if you could be a team member in organizing events for your company, like company dinner or company trips. Or, if you love writing, (even if you are an engineer or accountant, and people always think that technical people can’t write, prove them wrong) be a member of the newsletter editorial team. Or start contributing articles to the newsletter.

This is one way of “doing something new without having to start all over”. I am certain there are opportunities in your current company that can help you use your talents well. You need to go and meet other people in your company, have lunch with them, and interact with them in other company activities. I am sure there is one area you can fit yourself in. Sitting at you workstation and griping over your misery isn’t going to help.

The important thing I want to emphasized here is that “You can have a job and love it too” It is just a matter of you knowing what your talents and interests are and doing something about it.