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Finding the job is only the first step in launching a successful horticultural career. Your first day at work is none too soon to begin planning on how you intend to keep the job and how you can use it for advancement. Everyone wants to be paid more and move on to a more challenging position-it is simply human nature to become unsatisfied with the status quo. Advancement in employment status won’t be automatic; plan ahead to ensure that you make steady forward progress. HOW TO KEEP A JOB The characteristics that employers look for which were listed at the end of Section 3 should be reviewed after you find employment. They are important not only in landing a job but also in keeping it. If you consistently work at developing these attributes, you will remain employed. There are a few additional points which will make your job more secure. • Understand the etiquette of employer/employee business relationships and don’t cross the line. • Don't cause problems, your boss has enough already. • Make an effort to understand your supervisor's methods of operation. Try to get on the same mental "wavelength." • Don’t get in the way or create embarrassing situations by making yourself conspicuous. Let your good work speak for you. • Always have in mind that your productivity is essential to keeping the company profitable and your job secure. • Don't be careless with company property or with your own safety or that of other employees. • Don't expect constant praise for a job you are getting paid to do. • Diversify your skills to handle other jobs at the workplace- just in case yours is eliminated. After over 30 years of supervising all types of employees, I am still amazed at the night and day differences which can exist between workers. Some are pleasant and make the work progress smoothly and enjoyably, while others seem to make every day more unproductive and less pleasant than the previous one. No doubt many workers could also say the same for bosses. Workers and employers must both make a conscious effort to consider the other's welfare-a business or institution cannot operate profitably or successfully without cooperation between the two. Always remember that there is no employment for anyone when the entire project is a failure. Your job as an employee is to contribute towards the overall success of the venture. JOB ADVANCEMENT If you have followed the suggestions given up to this point, you will certainly be well on the road toward job advancement. Here are some additional pointers which relate specifically to advancement: • Try to evaluate advancement potential before you accept employment. Look the workplace over to see if there is room for your progress. Ask questions! • Show your employer that you are ready to advance by completing every task thoroughly and completely. Try to develop some speed after you become familiar with the work. • Be realistic about what you can handle: don't try to advance faster than your capabilities. • In your efforts to advance, show that you are capable of handling other jobs. But don't step on someone else's toes by invading their territory. • Advancement seldom comes by trying to become buddies with the boss. • Always try to learn and improve your job skills each day- soon you will become indispensable. • Advanced positions generally require training in specific technical skills or in the ability to manage people. Try to prepare yourself in these two areas by attending schools, reading professional books, and asking questions. • In many cases, advancements in pay will depend upon you asking for a raise. If your company does not have a well defined and generally well known pay scale, it may be incumbent upon you to bring up the subject if your supervisor does not do so within a reasonable length of time. This is a delicate area so be sure you handle it tactfully. It’s best if you find out the general procedures in this area before you go to work. Some companies and institutions will have a definite schedule and guidelines, while others leave the matter up in the air. • Keep in mind that advancement sometimes depends upon a change of employers. There may not be room for continued upward progress at your first place of employment. Be sure to cultivate good references in your present position; they may be important in landing a job at another company. • In most cases, there is an upper limit to advancement when you work for someone else. The only practical means of achieving total career success is by owning your own horticultural business. Information and order blanks for several books about this subject are available inside the back cover. Realize that success in this world is sometimes dependent upon lady luck. If you do everything right and advancement doesn't come as soon as expected, just keep pointed in the right direction until your luck changes-it always does if you help it along. |