In a world that celebrates entrepreneurship, being an employee has become synonymous with being a low-achiever, lazy and stale.
- Anonymous
Society has continually fed us that employment is a gift from employer to employee. The employee is chosen! The job is the reward! It is easy to forget that for every employer there is a need for at least one employee to facilitate growth.
Employment is not a gift but an exchange. Employees exchange their time for money and fulfilment of purpose. An entrepreneur is not better than an employee, nor vice-versa. They are just different and as such those that venture into the high risk – high reward domain are to be respected just as much as those who choose not to take that task on.
Being an employee is therefore an asset and more of us need to know how to maximise being an essential contributor to the company.
What advantages are there in employment?
In employment, one has a regular paycheck with additional (varied) company benefits. Statutory payments are handled by the employer on a monthly basis- a huge weight off your shoulder. In contrast as the firm owner, one has to sacrifice income in the beginning and often-times during recession. Financial responsibilities are upon you as the owner, with the Lawyer and Accountant on speed-dial (sorry mum). It is the owner’s responsibility to handle NHIF, NSSF and all relevant taxes not only relating to themselves but also relating to the company and all of its employees.
When employed, job security is assured with an additional layer that comes with illegality of unfair dismissals. In contrast, as the business owner, your firm will go down, if you sleep on the wheel. This is a major leadership role to take on. Some people are not cut out for this and some are not interested in it-which is completely okay.
The employee has several guaranteed days off work during leave days, sick-off days, statutory holidays and also includes maternity and paternity leave. Entrepreneurs ,especially when getting started, have little to no down time outside their startup-constantly juggling numerous managerial tasks.
For the graduate, employment stretches the learning muscles further. It is necessary to have hands-on experience from those who have gone before you. Otherwise, one faces a really steep learning curve as shared by the Café Construct guest in Season 01 Episode 11- Baptism by fire
Metamorphosis as an employee
Today’s job market is competitive causing a high demand for specialization. Highly experienced and qualified employees are headhunted on a global market; hence why continual progression of skills and knowledge will definitely set you apart and put you at a great advantage on the negotiating table.
It is fundamental to look out for the ever-changing market. New technologies and new players are continuously transforming the construction industry as evidenced with the current boom in local development projects.
In the path paved with a great need for better employment opportunities, there will be bumps. Sometimes the new job will be worse than the previous one or you will lose your job with the failure of the company as witnessed during the pandemic. Unlike a bad loan, a bad time investment always has more positives. At the bare minimum, you come out with invaluable lessons on what works and what does not.
To that effect, employees stand to greatly benefit from a competitive market.
Taking ownership of your career
Many enter the job market looking for a permanent job position then hope to stick there till retirement with minimum investment in skill development along the way. Complacency just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Research shows that the skills you have at any given point (technical or otherwise) have a shelf-life of two to five years. Employees, therefore, need to take responsibility for their own education and professional growth.
Employer-sponsored training programs, at best, provide educational opportunities tied to the specific company's business model. Take ownership of your professional development.
Think of it this way, just as you are quick to switch phone and internet providers is the same way you should change up job situations that lean more on the negative side.
Here are a few tips on how you can begin to take ownership of your professional development :
1. Connect with others on LinkedIn.
Whether you are presently ecstatic about your position or not, make a list of companies that operate in your market (including your current employer) and create a job alert system.
2. Constantly review job advertisements.
Note the skills and certifications sought after to ensure that you remain relevant. Are there any requirements cutting across several job postings? Do you have these skills? If not, find a way to grow and add them to your resume.
3. Actively seek opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
If your company will not handle this, go out on a limb for yourself. Constant growth is key.
4. Request to collaborate on challenging projects.
Hands-on experience is free school that has no substitute. Spend time with those who have a skill set you are interested in. Get constant feedback.
5. Continually assess yourself and your position in the company.
Did you invest in any new skills? Do your new skills qualify you for advancement- financially or otherwise? Does your company still meet your needs? Does it serve you a healthy dose of challenges to ensure personal and professional growth?
All in all, we at Café Construct wish you all the best in your employment journey.
Work diligently towards fulfilling your purpose and be passionate about being an invaluable employee to your company. Run away from under-challenging work environments the same way you run away from overly-stressful ones.
When you love your job, it shows! So is the case when you lack motivation.
Lastly, they say, work hard like the company belongs to you…we agree!
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