Huh? How can this be?

In the U.S. today we have a surplus of job seekers and a shortage of workplace opportunities. Employers want people with training, education and experience, but once you’re actually hired such qualities are not enough, you need something more, you need to be aware of tribal customs. If you do not learn your employer’s tribal customs you will be fired as soon as possible.

What do I mean by tribal customs? I mean the unspoken traditions and standards that employers and other workers expect from the “new person” — that’s you.

When you get a job you’re not a member of the tribe. Yet. There’s more to be done. The problem is that tribal customs often take the form of expectations which are not precise, not verbalized and not explained. You have to figure this stuff out for yourself because every workplace is different.

Here are some basic issues to consider:

Timing

If the job starts a 9 AM the employer expects you to be there and ready to work at 9AM. Not 9:01. Not taking off your coat. Not getting coffee.

Tribal Custom: Always get to your workplace a touch early. Never leave before other workers, even if the day is done. The employer does not want to worry about empty seats, blank computer screens and missing crew members.

Tasks

No matter what you’re asked to do, there’s a way to do it that meets the employer’s requirements. If the process has six steps do not complete the task with five.

Tribal Custom: The employer sets the standard for workmanship, service, productivity, timing and quality. The employer does not want to worry that the new person doesn’t get it, refuses to follow the system or has a “better” system. Especially at first, follow the employer’s system exactly and precisely as the employer wants. Later on, when you earn the trust of your employer and co-workers, you can suggest alternatives.

Criticism

You may be asked “so what do you think about new design?” or “what do you think of our system?” Do NOT criticize the system. Instead, say that it’s really impressive, big, fast, proven, better than anything you’ve seen or whatever.

Tribal Custom. Such questions may simply mean the employer wants your confirmation — and maybe even applause — for his or her ideas and approaches. Egos may be involved. Remember that when you criticize a product or system that you may be speaking to the person who designed it. Since you’re the new person you don’t know enough to criticize. Learn how things work, then make suggestions.

Nature Calling

Every uses a bathroom from time to time. You will stick out like a giant red balloon if you use the facilities too often or too long unless there’s a health reason to the contrary.

Tribal Custom: Never leave a bathroom, regardless of why you went in, without washing your hand. NEVER!

Donuts

In many work environments it’s common and routine for workers to bring in donuts, candy, cakes or whatever. If that’s the practice, then make sure you contribute either financially if money is collected or through participation by bringing in goodies.

Tribal Custom: Never be a total taker, sometimes you have to give to fit in.

Ask Questions

As a newly-minted employee you have the right to ask questions. “Fred, am I doing this right?” “Mary, is this how you want this done?”

Tribal Custom: Asking questions is a way to show that you want to please others in the workplace, that you respect their judgment and opinion.

Keep Learning

Whenever you’re asked to learn something new, go for it. You’ll become more value with each new skill. After you have been with the employer a bit, see what skills you need to advance and tell the employer you want to learn.

Tribal Custom: We no longer live in a static world where the job skills you have on day one are sufficient for the rest of your career. To stay employed you must constantly be learning new things.

Computers

Any use of the employer’s computers is use of the EMPLOYER’S computer, not your computer. You have no expectation of privacy. NEVER use an employer’s computer or a company email account for any reason which would be inappropriate or uncomfortable for your, your co-workers or your organization. Don’t post negative items about your employer or co-workers on social media. If you have any doubts, just ask if you want your use of the computer on the evening news.

Tribal Custom: You wouldn’t use an employer’s van for private purposes so why would you use the employer’s computer system, or lathe, or stock of paper for your own use?

Enthusiasm

You have a job. You must act as though it’s important and valuable. Body language can send out signals no one wants to see — sighs, tilted heads, poor posture, etc. suggest no interest in the job or the people around you.

Tribal Custom: Negative non-verbal cues are often regarded as extremely disrespectful. If you signal non-interest and a lack of enthusiasm you will be fired.

Phone Manners

How one answers the phone is important. The word “hello” is not a question. Always answer with a strong, affirmative voice. If someone gives you a number to write down, write it down and then repeat it back to the caller.

Tribal Custom: Millions of people carry phones in their pocket. It’s a way to keep in touch. Make it work for you, otherwise it can lead to the loss of a job.

Yes and No

In many cases employers, managers and bosses are looking for a yes or no response to a question. They really mean that they want to hear the word “yes” or the word “no.” They do NOT want to head “yeah” or “nah.”

Tribal Custom: The issue is not the use of a given term or slang versus proper language. The issue is that words convey attitude. When employers ask a question they want to be certain that what they said was understood and that their directions and instructions are clear. A hazy response, a lackluster response, does not provide the needed — and required — level of assurance.

Thank You

Always acknowledge the help of others. It doesn’t cost a dime to say “thank you.” It’s not a hardship to say “that’s a great idea.” No one will be hurt if you say, “this is really good, thank for showing me how to do this.” A little courtesy goes a long way in the workplace.

Tribal Custom: All humans have egos, all humans like to be acknowledged. You’re not the center of the universe. Be nice to co-workers, managers and employers. As the old expression goes, it’s easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar.

Technorati Tags: courtesy, customs, nah, no, psychic space, standards, thank you, tribal, yeah, yes

These are lousy numbers and lousy times for many people. The big question is this: How do you defend your interests?

10,000 Lawyers

I meet a lot of people who tell me they’re waiting for the right job or the right dollars. Good luck. In most fields those days are gone. Think about the 10,000 people who have been laid off from law firms during the past year. If attorney’s can’t work then times are really hard.

Get Work Strategies

Stop looking and start acting. No job is going to come to you in today’s environment. You have to get out there every day to check the classifieds, the online sites and the notices in local shopping centers. Speak with friends and family, folks in your field, people you know through clubs, religious congregations, school, etc.

Make Getting A Job Your Business. If you had a job you would work 9-to-5, or whatever hours are appropriate in your field. Apply the same standard to your job hunt. Make getting a job your business.

Work For Free. Someone we know worked for weeks on end in various kitchens in New York. In the restaurant world it’s called trailing and it’s a good way for would-be employees to see workplaces as they actually function — and for employers to see if someone has the skills and personality to fit. Three years later he manages a large restaurant and has an office, a staff and frequent offers to go elsewhere. If you work for a place and don’t get a job, at least you will have learned something. Look also for internships, externships, and OJT — on-the-job training.

Go Where The Jobs Are. Go to conferences, lectures and meetings where you can mingle with people in your field. Remember that a lot of jobs get filled on the basis of personal recommendations and knowing that a spot is open.

Go Where The Jobs Aren’t. Eating on a regular basis is important. If you can’t find a job in your field, look elsewhere. Be willing to work at night and on weekends. Be willing to commute. Be willing to do the dirty work. Such jobs may not be what you want but they offer two valuable benefits: They bring in dollars today and they may open up unexpected opportunities.

What about happiness? Isn’t that important. You bet. Unfortunately the economy has eroded to the point where eating on a regular basis and living indoors are concepts which need to come first. Not happy thoughts, but part of the new reality.

Lastly, always remember that you have value. Most people have gone through tough times at some point in their lives. It’s okay. Today may be hard but tomorrow is another day. Don’t give up or drop out. Start somewhere, even if starting somewhere is not what you want.

Technorati Tags: employment, job, strategies

A first resume is easy to write because there’s very little to note. You don’t yet have a work history, or much of a work history.

On the other hand, a resume can be enormously difficult to write because you not only want a job, you also want an opportunity. Unfortunately, a lot of people also want that same opportunity for the position you covet and some of them may well be better qualified than you.

A properly-written and packaged resume is a chance to break new ground, to stand out, to get ahead. Here’s how to do it.

Resume Writing: The Basic Steps

Step 1: The absolute #1 goal of any resume is to have employers get back in touch. For that reason the top of the resume should include your contact information in clear and concise language.

Step 2: You could, if you want, include your age, marital status and the number of children you have, if any. However, it is against federal law to base employment decisions on such issues as age, gender, race, religion, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, possible military deployment or disability. There are also various standards at the state, county and city levels which may prevent employers from denying you a job because of such benchmarks as sexual preference or political affiliation.

The view here is that you should not include information which employers cannot consider.

Step 3: What is your work experience to date? This may seem strange given that this is your first resume, but it’s possible that you have experience on a part-time basis, during summers or with internships. Military experience is surely an occupational pursuit and an index of accomplishment. The federal government, by law, gives preference to veterans in certain situations.

Important: Never lie on a resume. Factual misstatements can be grounds for instant and immediate dismissal. Never claim to have a degree if it’s not true. Never claim veteran’s status if it’s not true. Always expect employers to verify every claim you make — and be prepared to prove each and every one.

Step 4: What is your educational status? As this is your first resume it makes sense to list high school, college and technical training. Future resumes will gradually drop off the older and less important references.

Step 5: What are your honors and accomplishments? Everything counts, from becoming an Eagle Scout to being in the high school band or on the football team.

Step 6: Include your references here. Important: Contact proposed references before using individual names so folks won’t be surprised when they get a call asking about you.

Good reference sources include local doctors you use, friends of the family, military advisers and college professors.

Alternatively, you may wish to simply state that “References Are Available Upon Request.” In this case, have references prepared and ready to respond to employer inquiries.

Step 7: Design your resume so that it’s easy to read. Use a spell checker repeatedly to assure that your words are properly spelled. Read your resume out loud to find typos and poor wording. Have someone else read your resume out loud. Be sure it’s easy to read and fully understandable.

When you print your resume use a paper with a heavy stock. Stationery stores sell such paper and envelopes in small quantities and at little cost. Plain white paper is fine, though an ivory color is also acceptable. Pink, yellow, blue, dark gray, puce, etc., are out.

To see how a model first resume might look, please look at the this sample resume..

Electronic Resumes

No doubt people still send resumes through the postal system, but in today’s world of email and websites the odds are that many jobs will require you to send a resume electronically.

So, no problem, no fuss, no cost. Here’s how:

• Go to OpenOffice.org
• Download the latest edition of Open Office. It’s free, it’s powerful and it includes programs for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.
• Write your resume.
• Save it in a “doc” format using the Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP setting. (When you press “save as” a box will come up — look at the “save as type” options.)
• Once the resume is saved, look at the top of the screen. Just below “View” and “Insert” you will see a little icon with a touch of red. Press the icon and your resume will be saved as a PDF document.
• To submit electronically you typically must attach your resume to email or upload it to an employer’s job page.

Why send documents in a PDF format? The formatting will be preserved and everyone can open PDF documents, so there are no software or program issues. Of course, if an employer specifies that they want resumes in a “doc” format that’s fine — you also have the resume in that format as well.

Be certain that as you update your resume that you also save it again as a PDF file with each revision.

Technorati Tags: design, discrimination, doc, education, electronic, email, first, format, jobs, lies, lying, PDF, references, resume, school

Actually, it’s a very big deal.

“Unfaithfulness in the keeping of an appointment,” said Horace Mann, the great educator, “is an act of clear dishonesty. You may as well borrow a person’s money as his time.”

No one has perfect attendance, it happens that everyone at some point is late. In some fields and professions it’s a minor manner, especially if you work independently and don’t have others instantly dependent on you.

But in many work environments, being late is a big problem, one that can result in lower wages, fewer promotions and in times like these, a bright pink slip saying you’re fired.

Why is being late so important?

First, the best person in the world isn’t worth a damn if they’re not where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there. It doesn’t matter how skilled you are, how much experience you have or how well you have been educated; none of that stuff is worth anything if you’re not available.

Second, if other people depend on you — team members, subordinates or superiors — they are stuck until you get into gear. That’s noxious at best, grounds for dismal at worst. In today’s employment environment it’s not wise to aggravate other people if you can help it.

Third, being late is simply disrespectful. The message is that someone just doesn’t care, isn’t making an effort and sees little value in what they’re doing. That’s not a smart message.

Ask yourself a question: Why do some people get promoted while others don’t? Why do some people get retained while others are canned? Part of the answer is that employers look for people who are good team players, people who are reliable, interested and striving. Folks who are late don’t fit.

Being on time, in the right place and ready for work is a baseline necessity in many fields. The good news is that when you have a consistent pattern of being on time then when it does happen that you’re late — and it will happen — other people will not take offense, not feel devalued and not sense that they have been treated disrespectfully. In other words, you get points and credit when playing by the rules.

Technorati Tags: credit, depend, dependence, disrespect, excuses, fire, late, Mann, tardy

If you have not previously been in the civilian workforce, if you are just finishing school or military service, then you will need to develop both a resume and a first cover letter.

Why You Need A Cover Letter

The purpose of a resume is to provide a brief, accurate and dull accounting of dates, accomplishments and references, a checklist to date of who you are and what you’ve been doing.

That’s fine and appropriate, and it’s also necessary because resumes are important to employers. Resumes provide a way to quickly sort through job candidates, to narrow the field.

You want to be part of that smaller group of candidates — but you also want to shine.

A resume is incomplete. It tells us something about you in a historical sense, but it doesn’t say much about interests, values, motivations or perspectives. It doesn’t say why you want the job or why you’re better than the next person. If a resume by itself gets you an interview that’s great, but that’s not enough.

In a tough, competitive world you have to stand out. As adults we keep score and there are penalties for not competing. Going for a job is not the time to be shy, embarrassed, uncertain or unsure. While a resume documents your details, a cover letter let’s you shine.

How To Write A First Cover Letter

Step 1: Find the right person to contact. The right person may be someone in human resources, a company official or the supervisor who is looking for a new employee. No matter. You have to get the right name with the right spelling. You need the right address including the correct ZIP code.

If you know the person to contact, so much the better. You can often check names and spelling online. With big companies, the company operator (dial “0″ if there’s a phone tree) can often be helpful.

In other cases you can call the company and simply ask for the name of the person who heads human resources. Then call back and ask for the individual’s mailing address — remember, it may be different than the company’s main office or work site.

Be aware that in some cases companies do not want to give out specific names. The reasons usually concerns privacy and security. This is a problem in the sense that you do not want to send a letter to a blind address if it can be avoided. The solution is to call the human resources office and ask if you can address your letter to a specific individual — sometimes staff members will be helpful. Alternatively, you can try the back door and look up the human relations department online to see if any names show up. If yes, call the company and ask if Smith still works there. If the name is complex, ask how to spell it.

Step 2: Educate yourself. Find out about the company with an online search. What are their latest products and services? Where do they have offices and facilities? What does their web site say about them and their self-perceptions? Do they have interests in charities? Local community events? A unique tradition?

Step 3: Once you have a name you then need to write a letter with a proper business format. The attached PDF shows how a model cover letter should be written and organized.

Normally you want to use only one page for a first cover letter. At the top of the letter you want your contact information, the date, the recipient’s contact information and the salutation (Dear…).

Step 4: Once the format is set up you then want to write the body of your letter. In writing this material remember these rules:

• Write in sentences and paragraphs with proper spelling and grammar.
• Write short sentences and paragraphs, otherwise the page will be a huge gray blur that’s uninviting and difficult to read.
• Write in simple language with words that most people use in everyday conversation. Example: Don’t say that all real estate is nonhomogeneic when you mean that all real estate is different. Both expressions are correct, but the first term is ridiculous.
• Avoid clichés. No one “gives 110 percent.” Why? No one has 110 percent to give. And, no, nobody cares whether or not you can get your “arms around the problem.”
• Try not to use the same word twice in a sentence. If you need an alternative, try Thesaurus.com

A typical body for a first cover letter might look like this:

I am now completing my business degree from Jones University (or finishing my tour of duty with the United States Army, or completing my technical training, etc.) and in the process of looking for my first job. While I was in school (or the service, etc.) I had an opportunity to consider many fields and professions, but what interested me most was the combination of technology and sales (or healthcare, or teaching, or accounting, or engineering, etc.)

In researching career options on the Internet, I discovered that Smith Technology and Logistics has an innovative sales program. I also learned that your company is both growing and well-regarded, and that your new product line for the airline industry has received widespread and positive reviews.

By way of background, I expect to graduate (complete my tour of duty, etc.) on July 15th. I have worked as a sales intern with a local company, Blatchford, Inc., and I have also worked in the college admissions office. During the summers I worked at a local bakery selling an assortment of store goods, interacting with customers and operating a cash register.

I am a graduate of the John F Kennedy High School in Glompus, NY and its Leadership Training Institute. In high school I was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in more than 500 hours of community service.

Thank you for your attention and for taking the time to consider this letter. I can be reached by cell phone (240-555-5555 ) or by e-mail at peter@jobtoe.com.  My resume is attached for your records.

I look forward to hearing from you and would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss any position which might be available.
 
Sincerely,

Peter G. Miller

Notice that the model letter does not mention any particular job or specific salary. Instead, it gives the writer — and the employer — some wiggle room, some things to discuss once everyone has a better chance to know one another.

Also, the letter functions as a quickie bio. It tells where the writer is today, when the writer will graduate or leave the service, mentions some work history and discusses the recipient’s company in positive terms.

Step 5: Once you have your letter written, you want to use a spell checker to assure that everything is properly spelled. Then you want to print out your letter and read it out loud.

Does the letter sound like something a national television anchor might say? Where is the wording rough? Where can sentences be improved? Are there better words to include.

Rewrite and rewrite you letter until it sparkles and says exactly what you want to say. Put in the time to make it right.

Once your draft is complete then ask other people to read it — out loud. Can they read it easily? Does everything sound right?

Make your corrections and repeat Step 5. Remember the goal here is not to hurry, it’s to market yourself in the best way possible.

When you’re satisfied with your first cover letter be sure to again spell check the material to assure that it’s right.

That’s it. You now have your first cover letter. Good hunting.

To see a model cover letter, please press here.
 

Technorati Tags: concepts, cover, example, first, letter, model, organization, strategies

Answer: I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, you’re putting in time and the result of your labor will hopefully bring some income to your would-be employer.

But you’re not free labor. The employer is training you with the idea that if you have basic skills and abilities you can then work on a paying basis. The employer has real costs in terms of time, training, a trainer, use of the employer’s facilities, etc.

More importantly, three days of lost labor for you is cheap if it means the employer is acting in good faith and you have a realistic shot at getting a job. In effect, it’s an investment of sorts to get you started.

Consider the alternative: Imagine if you balk about the three days and the employer gets someone else. You now have no job and no prospects for a job you presumably wanted — and no income.

Even when you’re hired on a paying basis the fact that you’re in a new field and new to the company means that initially the employer is going to have to train and educate you, perhaps for weeks and months. There’s an argument to be made that even at an entry-level wage you’re not actually a paying proposition for the employer until you can bring in business or do required work with the skill level of an experience person.

The view from here: Don’t worry about the three days. Grab the days and the opportunity they represent. Do the best you possibly can, make the employer feel good about you and nail down a job.

Technorati Tags: job, new, paid, pay, start, training, unpaid

Uncle Sam is hiring civilian employees — and when the federal government hires it offers both good pay and great benefits. There are full and part-time jobs as well as jobs for entry-level workers and for experienced professionals. Oh, and to make things better, the application process is quick and easy, there’s no charge or fee and you can locate jobs online.

Living as I do outside Washington, I see people everyday who work for the government. The range of jobs is remarkable, from doctors (research at the FDA) and lawyers (pick any federal agency) to letter carriers and Park Service employees at the Antietam National Battlefield. There are jobs available from New York to California and everything in between — and the pay scale runs well into six figures for those with experience and training. In addition, of course, the benefits package is among the best available.

The great beauty of government jobs is this: The government has entered the modern era. You can post a resume online, search for a job online and even get a job which allows telecommuting.

How To Apply For A Government Job

“Many Federal agencies fill their jobs like private industry by allowing applicants to contact the agency directly for job information and application processing,” says the Office of Personnel Management. “But, while the process is similar, there are significant differences due to the many laws, executive orders, and regulations that govern Federal employment.

“Many years ago, applicants who passed the civil service test were placed on standing registers of eligibles maintained by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). In addition, applicants had to complete a standard Federal employment application form, the SF-171, to apply for all jobs.

Now, however, the OPM no longer maintains registers of eligible job candidates.

• Applicants can mail, fax their resume, or apply online using their resume.
• An optional application for Federal Employment, the OF-612, is available for those who do not have a resume.
• Job seekers do not need a rating from OPM to enable them to apply for non-clerical vacancies.
• Only a few positions require a written test.
• The old SF-171 is obsolete.

Post A Government Resume

So how does the system work? In basic terms there are two steps required to get a government job interview.

First, you post your resume online. In fact, you can post up to five different resumes online, each oriented toward a different skill or job field. To post your resume you must first create an online account. This is done by going to USAJobs.gov.

Once on the page you will see that creating an account is a two-minute job — name, address, citizenship and veteran’s status, if any.

Search Federal Job Listings

Second, the government has an online jobs search engine. In just a few minutes you can get search by agency, occupation and location; see featured jobs and employers; and find out which jobs are in demand.

To search for a federal job go to this link at USAJobs.gov. You can search by keyword, location, job category and salary range.

Types of Federal Jobs Online

There are two classes of jobs in the Federal Government:

Competitive Service jobs are under OPM’s jurisdiction. These jobs are subject to the civil service laws passed by Congress. These laws ensure that applicants and employees receive fair and equal treatment in the hiring process. They give selecting officials broad authority to review more than one applicant source before determining the best-qualified candidate based on job-related criteria. A basic principle of Federal employment is that all candidates must meet the qualification requirements for the position for which they receive an appointment.

Excepted Service agencies set their own qualification requirements. These agencies are not subject to the appointment, pay, and classification rules in Title 5, United States Code. However, they are subject to veterans’ preference. Some Federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), have only excepted service positions. Other agencies, may have some divisions or even specific jobs that may be excepted from civil service procedures. Positions may be in the excepted service by law, by executive order, or by action of OPM.

How Government Job Candidates Are Selected

In filling competitive service jobs, agencies can generally choose from among three groups of candidates:

1. A competitive list of eligibles. This record lists the applicants (in rank order) who meet the qualification requirements for a specific vacancy announcement.

2. A list of eligibles who have civil service status. This list consists of applicants who are eligible for noncompetitive movement within the competitive service. These individuals presently or previously served under career-type appointments in the competitive service. They are selected under agency merit promotion procedures and can receive an appointment by promotion, reassignment, transfer, or reinstatement.

3. A list of eligibles who qualify for a special noncompetitive appointing authority established by law or executive order. Examples of special noncompetitive appointing authorities include the Veterans’ Readjustment Appointment (VRA), the special authority for 30% or more disabled veterans, and the Peace Corps.

Agencies in the competitive service are required by law and OPM regulation to post vacancies with OPM whenever they are seeking candidates from outside their own workforce for positions lasting more than 120 days. (Agency, in this context, means the parent agency — i.e., Treasury, not the Internal Revenue Service.) These vacancies are posted on OPM’s USAJOBS and in America’s Job Bank (AJB). Excepted agencies are not required to post their job announcements in USAJOBS. To learn about their job opportunities you must go to their websites.

Technorati Tags: agencies, agency, civilian, competitive, department, eligibles, federal, government, job, military, noncompetitive, nonmilitary, office, online, post, postal, resume, Sam, search, selected, selection, Uncle, veterans

I listen to this and my thought is: You’re kidding. Suck it up and look at how the world really works.

First, you have a job and you have benefits. At a time when the rate of unemployment is rising and some very good people have been forced to take some awfully bad jobs, you have a job and you have benefits. Even worse, some very good people can’t get any jobs at all.

Second, if you think this job is a mess then consider the alternatives. You just don’t know that the next job will be any better — or that there will quickly and easily be a next job.

Third, maybe you’re not seeing the whole picture. The boss is human, and just like you he has a bunch of problems and irritations at work and at home. He may be getting on you because he wants the best from you or because he doesn’t know how better to communicate. Notice that he “lately” has been difficult, meaning that he has the capacity to do better.

Fourth, there some bosses who think that yelling and screaming is good leadership. Maybe if they’re big and scary you’ll produce more. Maybe if they yell and scream they think they’re important and powerful. This is idiocy. If your boss yells and screams, don’t take it personally and don’t just quit. Instead, just find a different job — then exit. Try to give your boss as much notice as possible so he or she can find a replacement for you. Don’t say things you will regret and don’t be negative, there may come a time when it will be valuable to have a friend at the old workplace or to be on good terms with your old boss and co-workers.

The Rules

Here are rules for the real world:

1. Never quit your job without a new and better position in hand. If you don’t follow this advice then you’ve made a mistake, you’ve traded down. In this economy you can’t leave your job without consequences. There might there not be another job, but if there is another job it may not be as good or it may represent a host of new and worse problems. It’s not just that the grass may incorrectly seem greener on the other side of the fence, even if it is greener it may quickly wilt and die.

2. You’re not the center of the universe. I know, I know, this seems unfair. Mom and dad liked you, your significant other thinks you’re great and golly you were so popular in high school but — sorry — everyone has their own problems. Sit back a moment and try to look at the world from the boss’s view. Maybe sales are down, maybe there have been complaints. Maybe something has happened at home that you don’t know about. If the boss has been a generally good guy or gal, think about how you can help them and make their lives easier.

3. You can be replaced. Never assume that the company or a client will fold if you walk out the door. The job you hate is coveted by others, people who don’t have a job, people who have housing and car payments to make. Believe me, they will be happy to take your leftovers and some of them are as good as you or me. A few might be better.

So buck up. Things could be worse. Start looking at the world as if the glass were half full, not half empty. And don’t give up because a job is imperfect. There are no perfect jobs — but a job with problems is much better than no job and a stack of unpaid bills.

Technorati Tags: boss, exit, job, quit, real, replacement, scream, world, yell