The world is a gigantic Ferris wheel. You heard that before? Here’s what I mean, if you’re on top of the world and decide to throw a paper ball (to use a subtle example) at the person diametrically below you remember that when the wheel turns the person you threw the ball at can return your gesture (but they might prefer an object different from your paper ball).
Next time you think about your career remember the “Gigantic Corporate Ferris Wheel.”
Next time you think about your career remember the “Gigantic Corporate Ferris Wheel.”
It’s not about being friends with everyone or “sucking up” to ensure that everyone “loves” you—for one thing you will never reach this level of consensus.
The thing is that your actions, accomplishments, and deeds have the “Gigantic Corporate Ferris Wheel” effect and you shouldn’t ignore them. You might think that the world is huge and that nobody will remember what you did when changing jobs or industry.
But this is an illusion! More than globalized, the business world today is connected and allows for fast checking very easily. I usually receive resumes that don’t match the information included in the professional’s LinkedIn account, or Facebook or even a quick search on Google (have you already searched your name on Google?). It’s not difficult to find out who your co-workers, assistants, or bosses were at a certain point in your career. And it’s also easy to find out that those professionals are in your contact network, in a platform such as LinkedIn. And sometimes we even know them, which makes it easier to check references.
So here are some tips in order to make the best of your ride in the “Gigantic Corporate Ferris Wheel,”
1) NEVER LIE. Not in your resume, interview, size or authorship of projects you managed or participated. It may work in the short term. ONLY in the short term;
2) When resigning from a job, always value the “don’t burn your bridges” adage. Finish your last projects at the company and don’t just cross your arms and “coast”!!
3) Value your word and commitment. For instance, accepting a job offer which involved a lot of work and time from a company’s top management and then changing your mind might have serious consequences for you;
4) Harming other professionals in order to get advantages in the short term leaves a mark in the career of those professionals and might have repercussions for you in future;
5) This may sound funny, but don’t “create” characters to increase or aggrandize your experience or professional accomplishments.
As Profeta Gentileza[1] used to say, “Kindness Generates Kindness.” Believe me, this works for everything in life. Even your career.
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The thing is that your actions, accomplishments, and deeds have the “Gigantic Corporate Ferris Wheel” effect and you shouldn’t ignore them. You might think that the world is huge and that nobody will remember what you did when changing jobs or industry.
But this is an illusion! More than globalized, the business world today is connected and allows for fast checking very easily. I usually receive resumes that don’t match the information included in the professional’s LinkedIn account, or Facebook or even a quick search on Google (have you already searched your name on Google?). It’s not difficult to find out who your co-workers, assistants, or bosses were at a certain point in your career. And it’s also easy to find out that those professionals are in your contact network, in a platform such as LinkedIn. And sometimes we even know them, which makes it easier to check references.
So here are some tips in order to make the best of your ride in the “Gigantic Corporate Ferris Wheel,”
1) NEVER LIE. Not in your resume, interview, size or authorship of projects you managed or participated. It may work in the short term. ONLY in the short term;
2) When resigning from a job, always value the “don’t burn your bridges” adage. Finish your last projects at the company and don’t just cross your arms and “coast”!!
3) Value your word and commitment. For instance, accepting a job offer which involved a lot of work and time from a company’s top management and then changing your mind might have serious consequences for you;
4) Harming other professionals in order to get advantages in the short term leaves a mark in the career of those professionals and might have repercussions for you in future;
5) This may sound funny, but don’t “create” characters to increase or aggrandize your experience or professional accomplishments.
As Profeta Gentileza[1] used to say, “Kindness Generates Kindness.” Believe me, this works for everything in life. Even your career.
[1] Translator’s Note: José Datrino, better known as Profeta Gentileza, “Profet Kindness,” was a sort of preacher in the Rio de Janeiro urban landscape who became famous in the 80’s for inscribing his peculiar writings on the columns that supported an overpass in the city. He would walk around wearing a long white gown and long beard. His preaching and writings were about love, kindness, and respect for humans and nature. He has been immortalized in songs, such as this one by Marisa Monte, Gentileza, with English subtitles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tfbw6818Ls)
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