What will you accept? What will you do?

Let's say that for the sake of the current time, you accepted a position.  It certainly wasn't your first choice. It pays half as much as the job you had before you were laid off.  So in desperation, you jump at it.  And they accept. And everything is just ok.  You realize it is not a challenge to work here,  you don't feel anymore productive, in fact the work is probably far beneath your skill level.  But, on the other hand you have a job.  And incidentally, you've been slogging through this job day-after-day.  You realize it every time you force yourself to put on a happy face before you go to work.

Does this sound like you?  I have read reports of persons who are itching to jump out of their current jobs as soon as the markets pick up.  We are living through a long recession right now, and every day, I still get emails from places that are laying off employees.  And employers, are being rather choosy right now, whether they hire in anticipation of expansion.  Our own government has fallen behind on it's hiring of individuals. There are some 250,000 possible temporary positions that need to be filled.  And in a lot of cases temporary seems to be the thing.

Some people wouldn't stake my hopes on permanent employment through a temporary position, but the fact remains there are a significant number of individuals who end up in their long term career that way.  I've met persons who started as interns, later become employed at the location, and have been know to climb the corporate ladder all the way to the board of directors.

So how do you do your best? How do you continue to thrive in an less-than-challenging environment?  My friends, attitude goes a long long way.  It's hard to be grateful when you feel underwhelmed.  I understand that. However I submit to you my friends, that positive thinking is in order here.  This goes back to the core root of what drives you.  If you can't be happy doing a job that you feel is less than your skill set, and do it gladly, how will you handle a job that will be pushing the boundaries of your skill set?  Will you do it gladly or will you become overwhelmed with stress?

Here are a few ideas for handling underwhelming positions:

1. Master everything about the position.

Become the expert that everyone looks to. Are you on a running a production line? Take  the time to deduce the nuances of the position, what everyone does and how it all fits together, become the puzzle solver.   Employed at a position doing something that 'you could do in your sleep'? Don't rest on your laurels.  Refresh everything you know, can you streamline a process, can you code something that can be re-used, can you automate tasks that may save your company money and time?  Look at all angles, and take action

2. Face each day knowing that what you are doing improves the lives of those around you.

Believe it or not,  your co-workers and your boss become dependent on  you. If you slack off, you are only putting more work on others. If you can finish your task, and help ease the load of others, you show leadership potential. You become the expert. While just knowing that you help others may not be enough motivation for you. Making yourself outstanding will.

3. Strive harder.

If you mop a floor, or run a board. Use the Bobcat Scout Credo: "Do Your Best".  It's a rather simple statement, that is taught to bobcats, those youngest of scouts, just out of kindergarten. Do Your Best.  If you aren't doing your best, only you know. Don't cheat yourself of opportunities to rise to the occasion. Don't cheat others from seeing your leadership potential. Don't cheat the team, or the boss. Do Your Best

While the current position you may be in may offer potential for upward mobility, it may also hinder you from upward mobility.  If you find yourself becoming stuck in a quagmire of  sorts.  Make time, communicate with your boss, let them know you'd like more challenges. Keep a score card, sometimes bosses forget. If you've shown your worth, tell them you'd like more, and show them how and where you excelled.  If you decide you are ready to take your skills further and to other places; find your next career here: www.govtcontractorjobs.com

Simple. Employment. Solutions.