I was sitting at my desk and wondering how long until lunch. I needed coffee in order to manage the next few hours or I would be asleep fast. It was a daily struggle. There was no excusing it. It was hard not to fall asleep on the job.
The endless reports could easily send me into a comma if I was not careful. I knew I needed to find someone who could help me find a job that would not double as a sleep-aid. I just needed to figure out who was up for the challenge.
Figuring Out the Problem
The first thing I had to do was decide what the problem actually was. I found that there were two. First, the tasks were always the same and repetitive. There was no variety. Then, for an added bonus, I admitted to myself that I was held hostage at my cubicle. It could no longer be ignored.
I had to stay logged in or risk upper management going on a hunt for me. It was as if I was in the witness protection program. After all, someone there had to appear that they knew how to keep chairs warm. I am sure it was always addressed in the management reviews.
Looking at Value and Quality
I knew that I was valuable, but was I able to produce quality? The answer was yes, however, pointless. I was over-qualified for my position. I also knew that I was over-qualified for my manager’s position.
I never wanted to gain a top level job as a baby-sitter. I just could not justify it. Though being able to chase people who were not seated at their desks was a tempting thought, on days when we ran out of coffee and we were only left with decaf, I would need music to make that fun.
Concluding Strengths and Weakness
It was clear to see. I needed to move on to a position that would afford me both challenges and freedom. I needed to drive my job search toward positions where I could exchange information for money. However, I also needed to be in an atmosphere that lent to team building discussions and goal setting. The richness of that would give me the movement I needed, without feeling stagnant even if I was seated.
Making the Offer to the Recruiting Department
I remember the day. There was an opening at my company for a marketing representative. The job only required a few college courses, and I had that behind my belt. I just had to act as if I was not zoning out at my current job. That was huge for me. If the recruiter knew she was talking to a zombie from the sixth floor, it may not have gone well. I kept my self-marketing and talking points targeted toward the business’ campaign objectives.
I stated my case explaining that I was ready and able to take on bigger challenges. I explained my determination to stay focused no matter what the goal was. The recruiting department always loves to hear people talking about staying focused. I used it for my gain.
The Final Decision
It was hard to sit and wait out the decision from the recruiting office, but I did it. I felt I should start with trying to move up where I was, before I headed to the competition. However, I would not wait more than a week. I had seniority where I was, and I thought it would strengthen my chances. Time was ticking. The call came in, and the position was mine.
Putting it all Together
I could have sat there each day with the security of knowing that the job would not likely change. However, that meant that my situation would not change either. I developed the map to success. I stopped telling the world to “help me find a job.” I started deconstructing what was holding me back.
Here are your action steps to a brighter future:
- Take the Self Motivation Quiz
- Take the Bird Personality Test
- Take the Jung Personality Test
- Take the Strengths and Weaknesses Test
- Use your results to do whatever you do times 2