career advice
Plenty of hard work and dedication will get a much-needed promotion
MUNTHANA THAMLIKITKUL
Dear Khun Munthana,
I am worried about my work performance as the year-end approaches. I have been at my present company for three years now without promotion or much recognition.
In my first year at the company I put a lot of effort but ended up with a small salary increment and a month's bonus. I was very disillusioned by this, to the point where I subsequently didn't put in as much effort and worked on a routine basis. I even avoided offering help to colleagues. I felt that the company wasn't acknowledging my hard work and that my rewards did not match my initial performance, so why bother. I basically lost any ambition to get promotion or work harder to prove my performance.
It has been like this for the past two years. However, I recently met an old university colleague at a reunion party and discovered that she has risen to management level at her company. She looked so cheerful and confident and, most importantly, she seemed happy in her work.
I am not jealous about her progress - quite the opposite, I'm happy for her. But it made me realize how little I have progressed in my professional career. At university I often tutored this girl, who (by her own admission) would almost certainly have flunked her course had I not spent time coaching her. However, between her determination and my help she upped her grades and got her degree. As 2008 comes to a close I now think about her upturn in fortunes and realise I would like to experience the same. Do you think I have time to improve my performance? Please advise.
Sunset
Dear Sunset,
It's never too late! If you really want to improve your performance, you are already half way there. Your work ethics should change as of today. The key thing is to work to the highest possible standard and maintain that level, no matter what.
Realistically you cannot expect a good performance assessment this year because you only have a few short months of the calendar year left, but I persist then come December 2009 your managers should see the difference in your performance.
I am confident you can improve your performance quickly - you demonstrated your ability to work hard and cooperate when you assisted your friend with tutorials and now you must believe that with extra effort you too can become a manager. This shows that you are capable of working better if you want to.
To prepare for the new you at work, consider the following:
- Be dynamic and energetic in your approach and concentrate on developing good organisational and communications skills.
- Study your work responsibilities carefully and try to eliminate mistakes. Try to facilitate your boss so that he or she comes to reply on you. Complete your assigned tasks on time and without mistakes and then try to deliver work beyond expectations within a given timeframe.
- Provide help to peers - you never know, someday you may need their help. The bottom line is that helping others in the workplace is certain to strengthen your position and remember the saying "what goes around comes around" which is later down the line you will receive help from other in return. You will also maximise your chances of promotion if your colleagues and seniors perceive you as a hardworking, helpful and capable individual. The company benefits from your hard work, especially if you are in a revenue-generating position, and such hard work does not go unrewarded. Remember, increased revenue for the company means it is in a better position to pay additional bonuses to its staff.
- Be willing to work overtime and don't hesitate when requested to do so.
- Find ways to develop work processes that help you work smarter - you may need consultation from your boss where appropriate.
- Show interest in your work and aim to work to the best of your ability.
- Have a can-do attitude; it will always helped you in any situation.
- Human relationships and interpersonal skill are crucial, start developing them now.
- Look after yourself - your personal presentation is as important as your work. Study the company dress code (to overdress is better than appearing scruffy). People generally have good impression of a person who dresses appropriately, especially in a company setting.
- Keep smiling and maintain a good sense of humor. Be good tempered regardless of the pressures of work. This is a hard one, but you can do it if you try.
- Find time to brush up your knowledge - you could enroll for a master's degree or attending classes that will help you develop your work skills.
- Spend time on those hobbies you enjoy. This will you strike a positive work-life balance and help to cheer you up on Monday mornings!
If you are able to accomplish the above, I believe you will be signing yourself 'Sunrise' come 2009.
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