I'm pretty sure I've never worked in or even heard of the place where the general consensus by the employees was that they were overpaid for the work they put in. In fact, it is quite common the opposite is the case, that the prevailing belief is wages should be higher for the work given. Furthermore, I have found that it is easy to talk oneself into believing that the 'market' for one's wages is higher and that going anywhere else would result in a significant increase in compensation and benefits.
Yet, at the same time we believe all these ideas, we do something that flies in the face of these beliefs - which is, we hang on to the job we have as if it were the last one we could ever get. As I contemplate this behavior, I consider that it has one of two causes. Either I truly am overcompensated and the next best option is worse for me and I had better hold on to the current situation for dear life, or I don't understand my personal value in the marketplace - making it difficult for me to understand where and how I create value for my employer and also difficult for me to translate what I do into another company or department or location.
As a cure for both of these situations I recommend a good thorough resume rewrite. An exercise in writing a resume as if I had to apply for a job tomorrow can help me inspect not only my skills and abilities, but also the areas where maybe I could use some enhancement in my skillset. This is healthy introspection which can guide me to begin thinking of myself as a value creator, rather than a commodity performing a needed function for my employer.
When I start to think this way, I can begin to have the tough conversation with myself that forces me to answer the question...if I were the one doing the paying, would I hire myself?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
I never thought I'd need that!!
I was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal Online from August 9th that was discussing the long-term unemployed. Specifically the article was discussing an individual in the Phoenix area who had been laid off from his job after 23 years of accounting and finance roles of increasing responsibility. The article states:
"Mr. Hansen suspects his lack of a Certified Public Accountant credential hurt him with prospective employers. Promotions within Hensley, the only place he had ever worked as an adult, gave him a false sense of security that he would never need the CPA, he says." - Online WSJ 8/9/10.
I read this with interest because he has worked hard since his layoff to find work, he hasn't been sitting waiting for work to find him. He was effective in his previous employment and, as a result, was promoted and was potentially caught off guard when he was let go.
I certainly don't think that people should live in fear of the layoff, but I do believe it is worthwhile considering all the things that one can do to sharpen, hone and set oneself apart from average while it doesn't seem that important. When a solid differentiation is needed, it is a little late to be trying to acquire one.
"Mr. Hansen suspects his lack of a Certified Public Accountant credential hurt him with prospective employers. Promotions within Hensley, the only place he had ever worked as an adult, gave him a false sense of security that he would never need the CPA, he says." - Online WSJ 8/9/10.
I read this with interest because he has worked hard since his layoff to find work, he hasn't been sitting waiting for work to find him. He was effective in his previous employment and, as a result, was promoted and was potentially caught off guard when he was let go.
I certainly don't think that people should live in fear of the layoff, but I do believe it is worthwhile considering all the things that one can do to sharpen, hone and set oneself apart from average while it doesn't seem that important. When a solid differentiation is needed, it is a little late to be trying to acquire one.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Book Selection Now Posted
Finally closing in on the draft of the book and have posted in the Downloads section a selection from the first few pages of the book. Take a look and let me know your thoughts. Any ideas or critiques are always welcome at entropy.feedback@gmail.com
A theme of the book, and an important reminder to me personally, is the concept of entitlement. It isn't explicitly treated in the pages of the book, but it is an overarching theme and one that I spend a lot of time thinking about. This economy is drawing out renewed debates over entitlements. Decisions of the past are having an affect on our current reality. The ability for an able body to provide for his/her family is hampered and often it seems that there is no answer, much less an advocate. My only answer to this dilemma provides no solace in the present...but presses me to stress to everyone I talk with that preparation for the future has to start now (though yesterday would have been preferable). The enemy of long-term, sustainable peace of mind is short-term excess - let's not fool ourselves about that.
A theme of the book, and an important reminder to me personally, is the concept of entitlement. It isn't explicitly treated in the pages of the book, but it is an overarching theme and one that I spend a lot of time thinking about. This economy is drawing out renewed debates over entitlements. Decisions of the past are having an affect on our current reality. The ability for an able body to provide for his/her family is hampered and often it seems that there is no answer, much less an advocate. My only answer to this dilemma provides no solace in the present...but presses me to stress to everyone I talk with that preparation for the future has to start now (though yesterday would have been preferable). The enemy of long-term, sustainable peace of mind is short-term excess - let's not fool ourselves about that.
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