Geralt/Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain / FAQ
By now everyone knows how tumultuous the employment industry was from about 2007 to 2014. Unemployment rates were as high as 9.8 percent and still have not come down to the low ranges of 4.0 to 4.9. Luckily there has been some improvement, but just as there have been people hurt within the labor market and entry-level jobs, upper echelon jobs also took a beating. Employees in middle management and supervisory level positions grew even more concerned about being able to hold onto what could be deemed as disposable income on someone who could do the job cheaper -- even if not better.
For people who were just trying to hold onto opportunities in middle placement positions, struggles between team leaders and higher-ranking positions could have become noticeably uncomfortable. The problems that middle management face aren't new to these higher years of unemployment, but these obstacles certainly put some of the more frustrating battles in the limelight. How does someone who is a team leader have a sufficient opportunity to do their jobs but still assure upper management that they are not trying to take their jobs? Better yet, how does someone who is overqualified for a position apply for a new opportunity without making their hiring manager worry that there's now new competition.
These tips prove that it's not as difficult as it may initially seem, but it does take quite a bit of patience and solid communication skills to do so.
Look for lessons to learn: No matter the position, with a new job there will always be new personalities, a new culture and new duties. Let the hiring manager know that you're there to support them. Don't be in a rush to move up the ladder without learning about the organization, mastering the current position at this new job and getting to know the people. Naturally those who are able to do this well will find themselves having better opportunities to climb up the management ladder. However, new hires and the overqualified should be ready and willing to prove that they want to not only help their own resumes but also compliment the team.
Keep communication lines open: No matter how genius the idea is, run it by your boss first. Be less concerned about someone "stealing" the idea and place more of a priority on helping the boss have the best team under his or her belt. What may seem like a great idea to you could've been a previous idea of the current boss, and it fell flat. While copyrighting an idea is about like copyrighting a title, it's the pages inside of the book that will make that novel worth reading. You may not want to disclose every single step of a new idea that could help you advance, but don't be so closed off with the communication that the boss is blind-sided by a new project.
Always take good notes: Even if you're the best communicator in the world, there may come a time that your boss is just not very good at keeping you in the loop. That's not your fault. If you're not getting the answer you want, ask more questions. Pay as much attention to what information is conveyed as what is not said. Always know or verify exactly what it is your boss is looking for you to do on a daily basis so there is no opportunity to say you're slacking. The best way to avoid a misunderstanding is to understand from the very beginning.
Keep communication lines open: No matter how genius the idea is, run it by your boss first. Be less concerned about someone "stealing" the idea and place more of a priority on helping the boss have the best team under his or her belt. What may seem like a great idea to you could've been a previous idea of the current boss, and it fell flat. While copyrighting an idea is about like copyrighting a title, it's the pages inside of the book that will make that novel worth reading. You may not want to disclose every single step of a new idea that could help you advance, but don't be so closed off with the communication that the boss is blind-sided by a new project.
Always take good notes: Even if you're the best communicator in the world, there may come a time that your boss is just not very good at keeping you in the loop. That's not your fault. If you're not getting the answer you want, ask more questions. Pay as much attention to what information is conveyed as what is not said. Always know or verify exactly what it is your boss is looking for you to do on a daily basis so there is no opportunity to say you're slacking. The best way to avoid a misunderstanding is to understand from the very beginning.
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