Rise of the Superstar!!!
As the world starts to settle into a post-pandemic period, jobs seem to be available in almost every sector.
The baby boomers (1946…1964) and baby boomers lite (1965…1975) have reflected on their lives as they spent time at home with their families and friends.
Many have been examining what they have been doing in their work-life, and the pressures that it brought with it. After self-examination, and having possibly determined that they were actually living and participating in a rat race, where profits and business come first and not enough leisure and family time.
As such, if they have enough resources, or almost enough resources, many have chosen to restart the next portion of their lives by changing how they live it.
Moving to a more cost-friendly city. Heck, maybe even the country. Choosing a more relaxed and less stressful location. Maybe closer to friends and family.
After some time passes you may even think of getting back into the workforce, full-time, part-time, choosing a more relaxed and less stressful vocation. You don’t want someone looking over your shoulder and definitely, you don’t want to be playing politics either.
Hassles with job reviews and bosses taking credit for other people’s work is definitely a reason to hesitate, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you look at it as a second chance, or a do-over, maybe now, with the knowledge you have gained, you can guide your own future!
Entering the workforce again is going to give you a new chance at really selling who you are. Don’t forget that the tables have turned and fate is on your side.
You’ve had the time to examine your work life and found that you were doing a damn fine job. You took responsibility and performed up to the level they let you achieve. Deep down you know you were worth more!
So now it’s your turn to ask the questions. Going into that interview with your head held high, you are going to represent yourself in the highest manner. You will tell them the accomplishments that you have achieved. You will tell them how you performed your duties and delivered them on time and under budget. You will tell them how you worked overtime and some evenings and weekends to complete the assignment tasked to you and were proud of the work you completed.
At this point in the interview, you will then ask this: “I have given you an excerpt of my resume and now I need to know what your company can do for me.”
Ask them “Where will I be in 5 years?” “How will I be compensated?” “Are the bonuses achievable?” “What type of milestones do I have to achieve, to get ahead in this company?” “Will I be recognized for the contribution to the work that I do, or will that go to the department head?” “If I am sick, how will you handle my benefits?” “Will you contribute to a retirement fund of my choosing?” “Where am I on the ladder if the economy turns, and layoffs start again?” “How safe am I to come to work for your company?”
I can go on and on but you get the picture. Remember you walked in looking for a job and you could also leave looking for a job. How you present yourself will determine the length of time between decisions.
At this stage in your life, you know what you can do and what you can’t. It is time to release the Superstar you know you are!