In My Alley

Archive for the ‘Getting the Most Out of Your Career’ Category

If you can’t see the value of  being transferred or taking an opportunity for a cross management, or a lateral move in your employment you really need to evaluate, and reconsider that type of thinking. Your linear thinking will keep you in line of your objective just like following the car in front of you when you are driving. The only problem of course is when the car in front of you is regulating your speed and course.

Cross trained employees are highly valuable in the every work arena. The more information and skills that you are comfortable with the more secure you are in our job. As you are moved laterally and then progressively upwards in your career, you need to be mindful that your skills have value. One question you may ask yourself when being promoted after moving about laterally is the REAL VALUE that you now bring to the table.

Negotiating your salary in a promotion is but one avenue that you must consider when being promoted. You Employer is aware of your skill as well if you have made them aware of them of course, and it is because they are aware you need not get trapped in working way above the standard of the position you are being promoted to without the pay. Crafty management may exploit your skills to their benefit, so be aware that you need to have your job description in hand before you accept the job.

If you find that your employer would like to tap into your skills that are not covered in your job description, be discreet as you could very well be manipulated into a place where the demands for your “other” skills are utilized more often. Do not be afraid of asking for compensation for going above and beyond your job description and job demands  if you are continually requested or required to do so.

However on the other hand demonstrating your skill level throughout your employment will also put you in line for further promotion. Let us look at an example, to make it clear on what we discussing .

Say that you are working in a fine dinning restaurant, it is currently not a five star  restaurant, you started out as  dishwasher, and moved to prep cook. You have pitched in, on the line with the salad prep, and have learned and displayed excellent skills in meat trimming and prep. During your employment you decided that you would attend a local culinary class or school, and  you obtain a degree or certification.

At your employment you have covered the Chef when they are out, for a day off and vacation. Over time you are now promoted to Kitchen Manager, with relative pay. However, one day the  Chef and the owner of the restaurant have falling out, and part ways. Your employer comes to you and asks if you will step up to  fill the vacancy, it is at this point you have got get a full understanding of what you are being asked. You have  got to remember, you were hired as a dishwasher and promoted because your ability to learn and desire to get ahead. What may not be given value is the education that you have also gained through school. Your culinary skills will have been expanded. Asking for an increase in pay or given a meager one at this point may suffice for awhile but you at some point as your exercise your skills will need to meet with the employer to get your value of pay.

Let us say at this point that over a years time that you are over the Kitchen, that food costs are lower, and that quality of presentation and food has improved. Customer flow has increased, and a local food expert has rated your restaurant as number one. The restaurant, moves from fine dinning to a 5 star quality and reputation is following. If you have directed this from your position, your salary should reflect it as well. If not, you will be hard pressed to get it at this point. You have done the work, the bottom line is strong but your employer will not be happy to give up profits.

What should you have done? During the growing process of the restaurant you need to bring your ideas to the owner, after you agree on what direction the restaurant will take you need to also request an increase in salary. With each major step of improvement you would be able to increase your pay even on a per plate of sales commission.

The same scenario applies to any work area. If you give your skills away for free over and over, the likelihood that it will always be that way is extremely high. Ensuring your companies success is great and giving help here and there to make a project successful is important, however to sell yourself and your family short on a daily basis with no regular compensation, or bonus to reflect your efforts is foolish.

If you company is struggling and is unable to  increase your pay, then ask for a percentage of the company based upon what you bring in assets. As a partner your will prosper as the company prospers, but you will also be carrying some of the risk, which is your time, skill and determination, of which time is irreplacable and the value is very high.

Do not sell yourself short. Employers are people, they have short memories like everyone. It is up to you to protect yourself, family and your future.