Virtual Team: Not for Job Hoppers or Freeloaders !

While looking for potential people to join the team of Realm of Empires  ,an online real time strategy game on facebook, it was a surprising  jolt to hear people boasting of the number of jobs they had changed in ONLY one year. A particular example was of a person who had worked as support person, analyst, consultant, telemarketer and ofcourse having a degree in Computer applications he had also contributed his fair share in the development of a major educational website. And besides that, he also worked as a freelancer. The list of experiences in various jobs in his CV baffled me.

This guy was introduced to me by a common friend so it was a bit of a formal talk. Casually I commented, "In the last two years you have changed 7 jobs, that means an average of 3-4 months in a job." 

To this he chuckled and with a big grin he said  "Yeah, you see I am highly recommended and in big demand because of my educational background and experience in various fields". I was speechless!

I wanted to say 'Thank you' and finish the discussion but some motherly instinct to guide him to settle down got the better of me and I prodded him further,"In two years from now where do you see yourself. Is their a particular field you would prefer to have expertise in." He looked sideways, then his watch and said he had another interview lined up in 30 minutes.

This is just AN example of countless job quitters and freeloaders. Quitting a  job or two when exploring work to suit one's preferences is acceptable. But that too should have a valid reason specified. Having very short careers, probably fetching quick money in the short run is going to turn out to be a disaster in the long run. Expertise and Experience in a particular area is the key to creating a niche for yourself. Individuals focused on a grueling job for the initial few years usually take up higher positions, better pay packages , satisfaction and a huge self-esteem within a few years.

Any job you take up, the initial phase is usually of excitement. Then comes the time when you feel bored and stagnant. Your job becomes a habit, probably even monotonous doing the mundane job again and again. This is the time when many people quit.HANG ON...This is the time when you need to stay at the grind for a while. The immense satisfaction you get after completing the job in hand is worth the patience. This entire cycle of learning, overcoming the highs and lows, understanding the intricacies of your job, surviving the long and arduous hours of work will make you leaders who never quit.

An example from nature. Uproot a tree and plant it in your garden. It will wilt off. Plant a sapling. Nurture it and in a few years it will be a tree with fruits. It is not only the law of nature, but applies to every profession to have deep rooted job profile. Yes, education is the basic requirement but your life is build around the reputation you build for yourself. A strong foundation is not built in months by taking wild leaps.Nothing can be achieved in a hurry. Developing your core values and potentials is a gradual process. Have an indepth knowledge, enhance your communication and persuasive skills and build your network.

To all the freeloaders, you think you are smart but you are moving towards the path of self destruction.You are tarnishing your own image.Opportunities lost will never come back. And then you will think 'If only I had....'. Pause and think would you ever employee a person like you in your own company !!