World Biz Info
The source of the best business, financial and legal news
web www.worldbizinfo.com
Business Informations

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Try, Try, Again


This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores issues such as internal growth opportunities, potential for advancement, career development importance, and the relationship between job performance and career advancement. Evaluating the Career Opportunities competency in your organization will determine whether your employees believe they have a chance to grow within the organization. Studies show that lack of career opportunity is one of the top reasons why employees leave an organization. Also, continually hiring open positions from outside the organization can be detrimental to morale when a qualified candidate is available internally. Topics covered in this competency are: perceived opportunity for advancement, existence of a career development plan, and organizational commitment to staff development.

This short story, Try, Try Again, is part of AlphaMeasures compilation, Tales From the Corporate Frontlines. It takes a lighthearted look at the career planning methods of some coworkers, and outlines one company's solid strategy for career development.

Anonymous Submission

Genuine opportunities for advancement are rare in the company where I work. Frequent job postings appear on strategically placed bulletin boards, according to company policy.

It's easy to tell when there's been a new posting. There's an almost constant group of onlookers, examining the paperwork as if it were the Holy Grail. You can hear them whisper ----who left? Or was this a new position? Who could qualify? Who would apply? Would they get hired? If they did, would it be a promotion or a lateral move? Was this a genuine career opportunity or a placeholder job?

Pass by human resources and you'll see one or more of the "fast-trackers" at the information counter. Members of this group apply for any and every job posted. It doesn't matter to them whether they are qualified, talented or experienced in the required area - as long as the potential salary is higher than their current rate. If there's no salary posted, they go on info-gathering missions and interrogate anyone who might know - on the quiet, of course. If it looks like a step up, they apply. Some have made the switch successfully, for a while, at least. It's usually not long before they're spotted scanning the job board again, searching for new career opportunities.

When the fast trackers are rejected, they can turn nasty. It's the company's fault, of course. But most people know enough to consider the source. After all, many of us give some thought to our career development planning, and feel that the fast trackers get what they deserve by not doing the same.

More often, employees feel concern for their long-term colleagues who apply for promotion when one of their superiors moves on, and are bypassed in favor of a new hire from outside the company. The reasons given usually make sense-but the fact is, when it happens too often, the company is blamed.

Fortunately, our company has a solid middle ground. Between the fast trackers and those who believe they should automatically inherit career opportunities, lie most of the average employees. At evaluation time, we work with our managers to find ways to develop the skills we need to get us into the jobs we want. We discuss new options and gather information. We engage in career development planning, and are prepared when opportunity comes along. I highly recommend this as the path to success.

-------------------------------------------------------------
© 2005 AlphaMeasure, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in its entirety, includes
the author bio information, and all links remain active.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Measure. Report. Improve your organization with AlphaMeasure employee surveys.

Josh Greenberg is President of AlphaMeasure, Inc.

AlphaMeasure provides organizations of all sizes a powerful web based method for measuring employee satisfaction, determining employee engagement, and increasing employee retention.

Launch your employee satisfaction survey with AlphaMeasure.


MORE RESOURCES:

Military MBA Sees Bright Spot in Lackluster Employment Market ...
MarketWatch - Nov 18, 2008
"This is a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster employment market." Discussions with the event's participating career experts reinforced Military MBA's ...
MBAs Veer Off Path to Big Finance Jobs Wall Street Journal
all 8 news articles


Kelley School Study Finds Early Exit Yields Better Odds of ...
Talent Management, CA - Nov 17, 2008
... and are in a good position to plan a departure that will benefit their careers.” For the study, Semadeni examined the employment situations of 1155 ...


MyPursuit.com Launches Massive Career and College Portal to Help ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 7 hours ago
... Salaries, Influential Professionals, Leading Organizations, Top Cities for Employment, Career Training as well as other Careers that may interest you. ...


Careers Seeker and Agency Seeker Bring More To Recruiters And ...
Online Recruitment, UK - 6 hours ago
Careers Seeker and Agency Seeker have partnered with industry specific market leaders to promote the fact that the Seeker brand is now respected in the ...


Resume tips for parents returning to work
HeraldNet, WA - 7 hours ago
... my wife is ready to pick up her career in the finance field. I'm helping to create her resume, and we aren't sure how to deal with this employment gap. ...


Radio 1

Sir Alan Sugar gives his career advice
Radio 1, UK - 4 hours ago
Back in the late '50s, they were really tough times where there were no employment laws. Take my father for example. He worked in a garment factory and ...


Program encourages tech students to master trades
Jefferson County Journal, MO - Nov 18, 2008
... giving them pre-employment testing tutorials, behavioral interviewing skills, resume writing and job training to put them on a career path, often at UE. ...


Release of Ardour 2.7 : Open-Source DAW for Mac OS X
Media Newswire (press release), NY - 1 hour ago
... prepared to take on the challenges of a professional career than those of other training providers – the fast track to employment in the media industry. ...


How to Research a Potential Employer
Single Minded Women, Arizona - Nov 18, 2008
At the careers site, you’ll find information directly related to employment, including specifics about benefits. Again, it’s important to know what you’re ...


Compelling Career Opportunities--Not Pay--Promote Retention in China
MarketWatch - Nov 10, 2008
While organizations must remain competitive on compensation, high pay will not offset a weak overall employment offer. (2) Help Employees Build Careers. ...

careers employment - Google News

home | site map
© 2006
web www.worldbizinfo.com