Is your reputation holding you back?

Quite a few of the sayings that you've heard during your lifetime contain truths or partial truths. For instance, have you ever heard of the adage, “You can judge a person by the company they keep?” Think about how hard you’ve worked to build a reputation of professionalism and integrity. Like it or not, who you chose to associate with, and what you attach your name to, can have damaging affects to your professional reputation.

So how can you avoid your close colleagues becoming a detriment? The fact that we spend the majority of our waking hours at work feeds the need to socialize and those that we work with often become close friends. You always have to keep in mind that you were hired to do a job and your job is your first priority. You simply can’t afford to allow friendships to deter you from your responsibilities. Think in terms of a public person and a private persona.

Begin any workplace friendship with ground rules for yourself. What’s the image that you wish to project publicly? If you don’t want to be known as a gossip then don’t get involved in office gossip. This may seem obvious but it is easy to get caught up in gossipy conversations especially when a co-worker is venting about someone that you yourself don’t like. Stick to the rule of not getting involved at the office. Even outside of work, going for dinner or a drink, be careful about what you say.

How about a really lovely co-worker with a fun personality that doesn’t seem to be able to do their job? It’s a difficult situation because the co-worker is highly likeable but basically incompetent. Associating with this person, at work, is going to reflect upon you.

If your job entails any type of public presence, you need to double up and lock down. Be mindful of social media sites and even your private associations.

It may seem calculating to pick and choose work friends. But if you remember that work is work, you were hired to do a job and the future of your career is at stake, does it still seem calculating?

©2009 Cultivating Careers

Is self-employment right for you?

DEFINITION OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT: An individual who operates a business or profession as a sole proprietor, partner in a partnership, independent contractor, or consultant.

Of course, it seems like there are a lot of benefits to being self-employed–no boss to report to, you can set your own hours, the credit for your hard work belongs to you and so does all of the money that you earn.

Let’s take a further look at the advantages of self-employment.

1. Capacity to set your own hours so the rush hour traffic commutes may not be a part of your life anymore.
2. Freedom to take vacation time or sick time.
3. No boss or supervisor to answer to. You get to set the rules.
4. Freedom to create your own work environment.
5. You choose the projects to work on.
6. Ability to directly determine the value of your own work.
7. As a self-employed person, other than freelancers looking for clients, you don’t have to worry about searching for a job. You already have one!
8. With the exception of face-to-face interactions with clients and customers, you can work in your pajamas if feel like it.

But here is a flip side to self-employment that many people aren’t aware of.

1. When you chose to become self-employed, you are taking a substantial financial risk and you assume ALL the liabilities.
2. You lose the safety net of a guaranteed paycheck and benefits such as health insurance.
3. If you need start up capital, you may need collateral such as your home.
4. If you are used to living “large,” you’d better be prepared to change your spending habits.
5. If you are not working, you are not making money. If you are working by yourself there is zero money coming in when you take vacation or sick days.
6. You have the freedom to set your own hours but it is almost certain that your work hours will increase, possibly dramatically.
7. Because you’re working for yourself, you’re going to have to take care of everything yourself!
8. If anything goes awry, it’s your complete responsibility. The buck stops with you!

So what is the bottom line? Discipline and Commitment!

If you are disciplined enough to work long hours, able to tolerate risk, cope with the stress, handle the potential of failure, work well alone and figure out all of it on your own, then self-employment may be right for you.

©2009 – 2010 Cultivating Careers

~ If not, then maybe you should keep your current job or continue your search to work for someone else.