Unsolicited Career Advice

Career contemplating has been a favorite pastime in our department.  Ask any of my colleagues, and for sure you'll find out that no one really enjoys our job.  Personally, I'm at the what-did-I-do-to-deserve-this kind of phase.  Kidding.  I may not be able to put it in words, but it's something you have to experience to understand.  Some even look for jobs online during their spare time, which I must admit, is quite entertaining.  Probably because I'm one of those who are very vocal about resigning, our supervisor sent me a post she found at the company forum.  It's one of those "just sharing" entries.

I was hoping it was something that would shed me some light on making career decisions.  It actually did, but not in the way I was hoping it would.  It compelled me to stick with my own thoughts and not rely on anybody else's.  It almost brought me to tears ... because I realized that some people can't seem to make up their mind and express themselves well.  In effect, I also didn't know what the supervisor was trying to tell me.

Read it and you'll understand what I'm saying.

AN OPEN ADVICE ABOUT CAREER DECISIONS:-AnonymousSeveral of my staff has approached me lately about their career decisions. I really appreciate my staff opening up to me. It is quite reassuring to know that they're still having second thoughts about leaving. Here is part of the email I sent to a "confused" staff:I have worked for more than 5 companies already so I guess you might be correct in saying I have had considerable experience about leaving and moving on. I will not stop you nor tell you to leave, though of course it will be better if you stay. In any career decision, leaving or staying I believe, based from my personal experiences and as an HR professional, should only be done for the right reasons.For one, you shouldn't leave because you don't like several people in the company, nor should you stay because of the friends you have made here. At the end of the day, it is your life. Your friends or "enemies" should not make or break your career. If you let them be the deciding factor, then maybe you should think twice. You are the craftsman of your fate and the captain of your ship. Captain Hook shouldn't be one of your worries!Do not leave nor stay because of the "brand" of your company. If that was the case, I would have rushed off and sign my JO in "C"! Ask yourself whether you want to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a bigger pond. Know your priorities. Only you can answer that.Do not leave the company because you're so damn frustrated about the way things are being run, or stay because you have this "messianic complex" that you can change things overnight. Be realistic about the things. Learn to accept that there is no perfect company. Be accepting that change is a slow and painful process at times and be thankful that you realize and act on things that can be changed and improved. Definitely, do not leave or stay just because your parents want you to. I know I am advocating obedience to parents but again, we are talking about YOUR career. But learn to value their wisdom and discern well. Money isn't everything. The package being offered now might be better but look at the long-term prospects. Do not leave or stay just solely on the compensation package. Look for growth prospects and review their career plans for you. Your immediate gains today might actually be a loss a few years from now if you do the Math. Boredom is another challenge all professionals are faced with during lull periods in their career. Do not leave because you have become so bored with your job. Do not stay either because you want things as they are. Change is inevitable in any organization. Talk to your boss. Ask for more responsibilities or other tasks if you're bored. Enroll in a special course. If you're satisfied with the status quo and is just waiting for retirement hoping things will stay the same, you're in for a big disappointment - either you will be forced to change or you will be forced to leave. Be ready before that time comes. Boredom or complacency is perennial battle most professionals have to deal with. Arm yourself with creativity everyday!Tonight I suggest you rest well. Sit still and listen to what He is saying. PRAY. I have always made my career decisions through His guidance. He was and still is my Career Adviser/Talent Manager. Your work, our work, is a vocation. He knows us more than we know ourselves so trust Him for whatever plans He has for you. You can never go wrong. And remember: Use your head to get to the top. But use your heart to stay.

It is such a long and unclear post.  I'm sorry to have put you in this trouble.  Hehehe!  After reading, all I thought was "What?!  What are you exactly trying to say?"  I just want to refute what the author wrote and I think my blog is the best place to do so.  I could've replied in the forum, but that would make me spiteful and arrogant.  I'm trying to live a better life here.  Hehehe!

There are some things I have to agree with like "money isn't everything," but there are some statements that just didn't make any sense.  For instance, he or she said "Do not leave because you have become so bored with your job," but also wrote "Do not stay either because you want things as they are."  I mean, then what should be the basis or the reason for staying or leaving?!  Make up your mind!

I feel sorry for those who read the post and found it enlightening.  Hmmm ... maybe I should revisit the forum and see if anybody was fooled.

I think I have a better advice.  One is entitled to his own reasons.  We are individuals capable of thinking for ourselves and making our own decisions.  Everyone has his own standards, expectations, and needs.  Some people may hold happiness with the work as a priority, yet some may not.  Some may consider financial benefits, but some may not.  It doesn't matter what your reason is in choosing or leaving a job.  What's important is that you make a decision, stick with it, and face the consequences.

Bow.

P.S.

Did I just get myself in trouble for posting something I got from the forum?  Well, it was sent to me through e-mail and it's not related with any official business.  Who cares!  Hehehehe!  Peace!

Comments

[Frances]

Naguluhan din ako. Hahaha parang laging in the middle ka lang dapat. But I agree with your advice. Napaisip tuloy ako bigla. Hmm. Hahaha!

[Carmel]

Ang haba nun ah! Ang labo nga, pero mukhang gusto niya lang sabihin ay iwasan ang pagiging complacent, though di ako sure kasi di nga lang ganun ka-clear.

Anyway, I agree with what you said. Your advice could be applied in every aspect of our lives, not just in our careers. Ika nga, "different folks, different strokes". Each has his or her own needs and reasons in choosing a job. What's important is that we learn to take responsibility for our decisions.

[Quing Obillos]

Ang gulo talaga! Nainis nga ako nung nabasa ko. Kung ganyan ang mga pag-iisip ng mga tao sa *toot*, kailangan ko na talagang umalis! Wahahahaha! Joke Joke!

Napaisip ka?! Naku! Sana naman 'di maging destructive ang effect nitong post. Hehehehe!

[Quing Obillos]

Ang labo 'no? Hahahaha! Feeling ko playing safe yung nagsulat. It showed in a negative way. Hay...

Ang imortante talaga is that we take responsibility for our actions and decisions. Sometimes, or most of the times, we learn it the hard way. Charge to experience na lang. Hehehehe!

[Jel]

I also agree with you Quing. Bow! =)

[Quing Obillos]

Thanks, Jel!

[Frances]

Hindi naman. Naninindigan pa naman ako sa pagstay ko dito. Hehe :)

[Quing Obillos]

Buti naman. :) At dapat mag-stay ka dito sa Philippines!

[Migs]

So ano na ba talaga ang plano mo ngayon? :D

[Quing Obillos]

I'm just waiting for the "go" signal. Then I leave. I'll discus it with you off the record. Hahahaha!