A Guide to Getting and Keeping a Job: Work Ethic for a New Generation

I work in the employment counseling field. I see both sides of the fence, the employer and the job seeker. The biggest complaint that I hear from employers is that people don't want to work these days. I thought an article on job retention and the cost of turnover to employers would be useful information to write about.

From the employer's point of view, they need to employ individuals that will show up and get the job done. An employer puts time and money into training an individual and suffers a great lose when a person moves on or decides they don't want to work anymore.

From the job seeker's point of view, they can always find another job. My concern is that job hopping is becoming the norm. Young people do not hold jobs for long periods of time and establish a good work history. Three or four months on a job is not an established work history. The older generations proudly work one or two jobs through out their entire life.

Employer view job hopping as a risk, if they invest the time and money in training you and then you move on the employer looses. Discussing your concerns with your present employer may be a smarter move. Discuss your need for a wage increase or the need for benefits, you may be surprised, the employer may offer you an increase in wage or offer you a benefit package. Often times these issues can be ironed out, benefiting both the employer and the job seeker.

So you have a job and you would like to stay, but you can't afford too and need to make more money or you really need benefits. Telling an employer what you want may be intimidating to jobseekers. You have to put it out there, the employer can not read your mind. Requesting a wage increase or benefits is not unreasonable. If the employer is not open to your request or can not afford what you are requesting, simply explain that you will be seeking employment elsewhere. The employer needs to know what the expectation of his employees are in order to fulfill their desires. The employer is as much interested in keeping a productive workforce as the job seeker is in keeping a job.

An employer has expectations of you as an employee also, you must be dependable, show up and get the job done. Work the overtime if you are requested to do so the company meets production. Discuss concerns and requests with your employer. Show up and build rapport with your co-workers at company functions such as picnics or parties.

If you are just starting out in the job market or getting back into the workforce, you should follow a simple course that will develop slowly but surely.

A. A job

B. a Better job

C. a Career

We find that the employed are the most employable, job seekers move on for different reasons, but when you think about moving on, consider what you are leaving behind and know what is in your future. Here are some tips if you decide to move on.

1. Don't just quit a job until you have another job, have a job lined up and a start date before you leave your existing employment.

2. Build a descent work history, if you are young or just getting back into the workforce, stay at a job, work history is important to future employers.

3. Note all new skills that you have built, O*Net center is a wonderful webpage that gives you a list of all tasks performed in a job description, this tool will help you build a descent resume.

4. Build your references, professional references are far more important to employers than friends and family, they will often request professional over personal. A young person can use school teachers, guidance counselors or coaches as these references.

5. Be kind enough to give a two week notice to the present employer, this will give them more time to replace you.