home »

dear headhunter columns »

career insider columns »

syndicated newspapers »

internet/on-line readership »

the buzz about George »

biography/references »

order advice/order book »

send email »

career insider

JOBS END AT 5 O’CLOCK…CAREERS DON’T

During a business trip to New York City was the first time I saw that slogan. It was on a payphone booth for the New York City Phone Company. “Jobs end at five O’clock…Careers Don’t.” I thought of all the negative people who, over the years, complained about doing anything extra for their employer, sometimes just a little extra. Those complainers, whenever asked to do extra, have an uncooperative attitude. Their attitude is “that’s not my job.” They spread discontent and discord by an overcritical mindset. Some of the squawking is not to their bosses, but spread through the company gossip grapevine to undermine authority.

These success tips are just the opposite of that negative reality. To build a robust career, you need to understand and use these tips every day.

1. SEEK TO BE UNDERPAID
2. GO THE EXTRA MILE
3. BE A CHEERFUL GIVER

1. SEEK TO BE UNDERPAID
“You gotta be nuts, I’m already underpaid and don’t like it. Why should I try to be more underpaid?” The answer in seeking to be underpaid is that it’s a proactive mindset intent on giving more results and greater performance than what’s expected. By using this mindset, you will receive greater respect from your bosses and faster advancement potential.

Being underpaid is the best avenue to job security, not because your company benefits monetarily, but because you understand the concept of “added value” and you will ultimately benefit.

2. GOING THE EXTRA MILE
This is similar to seeking to be underpaid. The difference is that the extra mile is to go over the top in your career relationships. It means that you never consider the payback for the extra effort. Sometimes, you will be disappointed because no one has acknowledged your extra mile effort. A person going the extra mile doesn’t expect a direct cause and effect result. They understand that the payback may come in a unexpected manner.

A field correspondent for CNN was complaining on-air to the news anchor in Atlanta about all the extra hours he was putting in on his assigned story. The news anchor happily replied, “Don’t forget, I’m told it’s not overtime…It’s opportunity time.” As I watched, I though of all the career people that I interface with who don’t understand that the “extra mile” concept is opportunity time.

3. BE A CHEERFUL GIVER
Complaining prior to doing something greatly diminishes the value of that act. Have you been around people that say, “Do I really have to do that?” ”That’s not my responsibility, but I’ll do it.” “If you can’t find someone else to do it, I will.” “If I had more notice, I would gladly do that, but OK, what do you want me to do?” The cheerful giver says, “I can do it. Don’t worry, I’ll get it done on time.” “Consider it done.” Pearl Buck wrote: “The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.”

Recently, I was shopping at the largest supermarket in town with only one checker and eight people in line. I was number seven. The checker paged for an additional checker and two of us rushed to get in the new line. I told the new checker “You saved the day for me.” His negative reply was, “I’m not a checker and I could just walk away.” My thought were, here is another loser…not enjoying his work and unwilling to be a cheerful giver. They just don’t understand and therefore remain bound in an unfulfilled career.

PLEASE NOTE: emails received become the property of "Dear Headhunter" and may be published unless otherwise requested. Questions may be edited for content and length. All questions will be reviewed, some without a reply.

George Gurney has been a leader in the employment industry since 1976. He founded an executive search firm that conducts domestic and international assignments.  He has won numerous awards for recruiting excellence.  He has been a guest speaker at national conventions and seminars.