Careers - cruise along, or work hard and climb corporate ladder.

sdraobs

Some people work hard 12 hours a day and climb the corporate ladder. earn mega $$$$, but miss out on family time and miss out on hobbies etc.

Others do enough to get a steady job, 5.30pm and out the door. dont go to fine restaurants or have nice stuff. but have alot more spare time.


What are your experiences. Is it worth the risk of working hard in the hope/presumption you will progress in a career. And only do it if you have a job you really love.

fmpisces

All boils down to the "live to work or work to live" mentality I think. I've only ever worked to live, and can still afford the time and money to treat ourselves. As much as I love my job the "live to work" option would not be for me. I prefer balance.

SoupyNorman

My advice, first and foremost is don’t be afraid to move jobs. One time I went from 32,000 a year to 45,000 in one move to a different company.

As for career, you need to know what you want. Some people can have really great jobs AND finish at 5:30pm. Research companies on sites like glassdoor to find out what actual employees encounter.

My own job in it, I finish at 5:50 most days, every so often during a release or if there is an issue I’ve been up working until 3am but I’, given the time back.

If you get to senior manager/exec level, expect your phone to ring any time day or night and it must be answered.

Boom_Bap

I work hard and play hard.
I also eat a Mars bar a day to help with the work rest and play.

AustinLostin

One thing I've noticed from people who work these long days - for some reason it rarely seems to equate to any more productivity than a hard worker working from 9-6. Obviously this is more a comment on corporate jobs, I'm sure it would be different for someone in a different field like medical etc, and I'm sure for anyone self employed as well!

Feisar

As above putting in the hours is a sign of nothing more than putting in the hours.

If I don't have my day nailed by 12:00 it's not going to be a good day.

PinotNero

Family, religion, friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business. When opportunity knocks, you don't want to be driving to a maternity hospital or sitting in some phony-baloney church.
Or synagogue.

sdraobs

AustinLostin wrote: »

One thing I've noticed from people who work these long days - for some reason it rarely seems to equate to any more productivity than a hard worker working from 9-6. Obviously this is more a comment on corporate jobs, I'm sure it would be different for someone in a different field like medical etc, and I'm sure for anyone self employed as well!

Good point. Though i note for corporate jobs its about perception. it looks good to be still working after 6pm. Also if a request comes in, especially from our US FDI overlords, someone needs to pick it up.

I dont just mean staying long hours, i mean working long hours, not being on the internet (like now, ha hum) during the day but working hard and therefore being more tired in the evening. life suffers. Or is it worth going for it, having hte nice stuff, not having to queue in aldi, spending hours searching for stuff on adverts.ie when you can afford to buy new stuff.

Sugar Free

I don’t see why it needs to be either/or? There are many people who are somewhere between the two. Or perhaps they were very career focused in their 20s and 30s in order to attain a certain level of compensation/fulfillment/position etc. then stepped off the gas a little, perhaps due to starting a family, being content with what they had or any number of reasons.

eviltimeban

Cruise all the way. I've gotten to the point where I've realised there's no point me getting stressed out and working crazy just to be a little better off and for the company to make even more money from my efforts. Who cares about that?

No stress / flexibility / proper work-life balance is what it's all about.

Get out of that office and go do the things you like to do, without worrying about what's waiting for you back in that office.

Potential-Monke

Yeah, I used to have the mentality of work hard, put in the hours and you'll get noticed/promoted, etc. Didn't take me long to realise that I am but a number, and my extra efforts go unnoticed. Maybe I just haven't found the right employers yet. In my current job (and hopefully soon to be moving to something else), I got promoted to the next step up. Basically tech support, but relatively well paid tech support. I worked hard to get it, and got it and thought Yes! Finally a company that actually does things right. Then they promoted someone in 'Merica to the same position, and I've never seen someone more incompetent at the job. So much so, she is given 'projects' to work instead of doing the actual job, which she can't do as she does not have a technical bone in her body. When questioned, I was told 'You're the tech, she's the empathy'... So I started looking for another job. I've seen them give other crap agents 'projects' too so they're not messing up the Q's/customers. Crazy stuff.

So now, I coast. I try not to stress, but the job gets stressful and there's no resolution to it. I no longer care for putting in long hours for a corporate overlord to get 5 holidays instead of 4 this year. Unless you work for yourself, you're but a number, easily replaced.

Strumms

sdraobs wrote: »

Some people work hard 12 hours a day and climb the corporate ladder. earn mega $$$$, but miss out on family time and miss out on hobbies etc.

Others do enough to get a steady job, 5.30pm and out the door. dont go to fine restaurants or have nice stuff. but have alot more spare time.


What are your experiences. Is it worth the risk of working hard in the hope/presumption you will progress in a career. And only do it if you have a job you really love.

The hard part is finding an appropriate balance. If you want to progress in your career don’t set off on that journey with the idea that it’s necessary to ‘go over and above’ regularly to get there. If you can do a very good job in those 40 hours consistently any employer worth his salt will notice and be appreciative of you...Do what you are employed to do, flexibility when it suits you, in terms of hours etc... ZERO flexibility in terms of doing tasks you weren’t hired to do.

Wabbit Ears

Ive gotten to a point where I'm reasonably well paid and have a great work/life balance.

I could go into management, work long hours, get more money but for what? No amount of money is worth sacrificing my time and my familys time.

Greyfox

SoupyNorman wrote: »

My advice, first and foremost is don’t be afraid to move jobs.

This is where I went wrong, I stayed in a crappy job too long. Wheter to cruise or work hard depends on the company, in most jobs your better off cruising as they expect you to work your ass off in the hope that it will lead to progression and it can take ages to get that progression if you actually get it, If your with the right company its worth working hard

Snotty

Sugar Free wrote: »

I don’t see why it needs to be either/or? There are many people who are somewhere between the two. Or perhaps they were very career focused in their 20s and 30s in order to attain a certain level of compensation/fulfillment/position etc. then stepped off the gas a little, perhaps due to starting a family, being content with what they had or any number of reasons.

This. But not for long. Work hard for couple of years, get to a level you are happy with and then coast it for as long as you can, during the years of hard work, learn how to play the game. I used to write a few mails just before 5pm and leave them in draft, then send them over the space of the evening, from my phone while watching TV.

I'm 3 years into my current employment/Career, worked hard for about 1-2 years, got a few promotions, made sure i got into a specialized area, became an SME and now I do the bare minimum but as I'm the SME, others need me to complete their job, so i help them when needed and so as long as they are getting their work done, it looks like I am working flat out.

Leg End Reject

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Ive gotten to a point where I'm reasonably well paid and have a great work/life balance.

I could go into management, work long hours, get more money but for what? No amount of money is worth sacrificing my time and my familys time.

This is me in a nutshell. I think money becomes less important as you get older (once you're comfortable), and life outside work takes precedence.

I pity middle aged colleagues and those nearing retirement who think all their extra effort is appreciated. They just get some glib praise as more work is foisted upon them. It must be harder to adjust to retirement too.

sdraobs

thanks all. i was hoping someone would argue that its better to work hard and delight in the fruits of that labour. but suppose those kind of people arent reading these kind of forums.

i thought money would become more important as you get older, more kids to support, plus as i get older i want to travel in luxury, not stuck on a ryanair flight. in a nice 5* hotel, not a 12 bed dorm in Berlin

In an ideal world everyone would enjoy their jobs.

Different people have different priorities, some are ambitious, some not, some want a lavish lifestyle, some are happy with a more simple life. Do whatever is right for you and your family, what other people think doesn't count.

sdraobs

Candie wrote: »

In an ideal world everyone would enjoy their jobs.

Different people have different priorities, some are ambitious, some not, some want a lavish lifestyle, some are happy with a more simple life. Do whatever is right for you and your family, what other people think doesn't count.

Very nice Candie, you have great wisdom. Thanks for that. i think ill take your advice and work as hard as needs be.

ILoveYourVibes

sdraobs wrote: »

Some people work hard 12 hours a day and climb the corporate ladder. earn mega $$$$, but miss out on family time and miss out on hobbies etc.

Others do enough to get a steady job, 5.30pm and out the door. dont go to fine restaurants or have nice stuff. but have alot more spare time.


What are your experiences. Is it worth the risk of working hard in the hope/presumption you will progress in a career. And only do it if you have a job you really love.

Its a lifestyle choice. I respect peoples choices.

JohnnyFlash

Study hard in your final year of college, get a good job in a place that would burn you out eventually, do the 20’s ‘work hard and play hard’ thing, then get a job in a semi-state and ease off the gas.

Strategic cruise - find a level you're happy with and stay there. I side stepped out of people management (hated it) to a management role that doesn't involve supervising anyone and I couldn't be happier. Good salary, three day week, time and money to travel and enjoy myself. Life is short.

ArnoldJRimmer

Snotty wrote: »

This. But not for long. Work hard for couple of years, get to a level you are happy with and then coast it for as long as you can, during the years of hard work, learn how to play the game. I used to write a few mails just before 5pm and leave them in draft, then send them over the space of the evening, from my phone while watching TV.

I'm 3 years into my current employment/Career, worked hard for about 1-2 years, got a few promotions, made sure i got into a specialized area, became an SME and now I do the bare minimum but as I'm the SME, others need me to complete their job, so i help them when needed and so as long as they are getting their work done, it looks like I am working flat out.

Yep, although it was not how I planned it, have followed a similar career path. Worked my @rse off and did all the right things for years and years and was rewarded for it. Eventually I just got worn out, and decided that working crazy hours and being switched on all the time was just not worth it. Have taken a few roles since that are a little more laid back, but still keep me interested.

It was only when I took that step aside that I really noticed how negative the impact my previous roles had been taking on my life. And while I won't be in contention for any mad promotions in years to come, I'm feeling healthier, in much better form, and actually enjoy what I'm doing

ChikiChiki

I think people are beginning to look after having a proper work life balance again. It went a bit mad there for a few years with everyone carrying laptops and work phones and essence feeling like being always on. Not good for mental health.

Richard Hillman

Very hard to cruise through life now a days. If you don't partake in the corporate ladder, you'll never have the comfort of your own home.

If you're male, good luck getting laid in your 30s and over.

Wanderer2010

sdraobs wrote: »

Some people work hard 12 hours a day and climb the corporate ladder. earn mega $$$$, but miss out on family time and miss out on hobbies etc.

Others do enough to get a steady job, 5.30pm and out the door. dont go to fine restaurants or have nice stuff. but have alot more spare time.


What are your experiences. Is it worth the risk of working hard in the hope/presumption you will progress in a career. And only do it if you have a job you really love.

Definitely the first option. What I have learned about the corporate world:

Personalities get up the ladder, not talent.

Nobody cares what you do unless you blow your own trumpet

Working extra hours becomes expected

You can do 99 perfect things but they will come down on you like a tonne of bricks for the 1 thing you did wrong

Money doesn't make you happy.

Nobody ever says when dying "I wish I worked harder"

The extra hours spent in your office hunched over your computer can never be gained again.

So in short im in the door do my job as best I can then out to live life. Each to their own and if people want to play politics and climb that ladder, good luck to them.

griffin100

You should always consider the ‘push’ and ‘pull’ principles of promotion and progression in work.

‘Push’ for promotion means you work hard and get yourself well educated doing extra work and training in the hope you’ll be noticed / it’ll stand to you.

‘Pull’ for promotion is when you’re promoted based on relationships and the pull your more senior managers have in progressing your career.

I ‘pushed’ for promotion for years and got to a certain level of relatively senior management. I was at the same level for many years unable to progress further despite taking on more responsibility, staff, etc. getting more qualifications. About 18 months ago I got a new line manager. He’s CV building and got me a promotion to a much more senior position pretty soon after becoming my manager as the more senior the staff who report to him and the wider his teams remit the better it looks for him. If it didn’t benefit him he wouldn’t have used any of his political capital to get me promoted.

As someone at a pretty senior level now my workload hasn’t increased as such, but the level of decision making and the freedom to act has, meaning if something goes wrong it’s my ass on the line.........but that’s why I get paid more than the people who report into me!!

Short answer - how you progress in an organisation really is based on the organisations culture and you have to tailor your approach to getting promoted as necessary.

nthclare

Us in our mid 40's don't really have to worry about all this crap.
If you're still in the same line of work since your 20's and not well established in your career there's seriously something wrong if you're not boxing clever and know your trade or business inside out and willing to learn life skills along the way...

I do a 5 day week, I can have my priorities sorted out by Wednesday evening, so Thursday and Friday are for fine tuning, research and taking stock....

Never shop your colleagues to management, never point out mistakes to your colleagues or show them how it's done easier....

Never ever undermine your boss or let them know your tricks of the trade.

Less responsibility and stress leads to a content working environment....

Never outwork your colleagues or management, nothing worse than pissing everyone off and making it look like you're better than everyone else, because they'll ride you without any reach around....

My dad's a Kerry man

screamer

Been there and done it. I now don’t bother I do my job I work hard and out the door on time. My family are small and I’ll never get this time with them again. The problem with the corporate ladder is that there is always someone above you who will kick you in the teeth to knock you down it. For me as long as I’m well paid and I work a good productive day in return that’s ok.
Being a big what I am also brings lots of problems too, and I couldn’t be arsed right now.

jcorr

sdraobs wrote: »

Some people work hard 12 hours a day and climb the corporate ladder. earn mega $$$$, but miss out on family time and miss out on hobbies etc.

Others do enough to get a steady job, 5.30pm and out the door. dont go to fine restaurants or have nice stuff. but have alot more spare time.


What are your experiences. Is it worth the risk of working hard in the hope/presumption you will progress in a career. And only do it if you have a job you really love.

If you're young enough don't go corporate.

Get on some entrepreneur course or business modules and learn how to start a business.

nthclare

screamer wrote: »

Been there and done it. I now don’t bother I do my job I work hard and out the door on time. My family are small and I’ll never get this time with them again. The problem with the corporate ladder is that there is always someone above you who will kick you in the teeth to knock you down it. For me as long as I’m well paid and I work a good productive day in return that’s ok.
Being a big what I am also brings lots of problems too, and I couldn’t be arsed right now.

Exactly plenty of knobs sold their souls to the company for 3000% extra responsibility for maybe 25% extra buck's.....

The sums just don't add up, in reality you're working for nothing rather than something....

It's the greatest trick in the cooperation....

Royale with Cheese

Become a contractor, do your 9-5.30 and then get up and leave, earn more than the manager who's signing your timesheets.

brianregan09

Well I'm on long term illness benifit so I can only work 12 hours a week been in the same job since 2006 , I'd say drifting along in the middle of the ocean would best describe my situation can't really be sacked, can't really progress ....tough to get motivated to be fair

riclad

This is like crunch in the gaming industry ,after 50 hours your effectiveness decrease,s ,
work time does not equal extra productivity or new customers for the firm you work in .
What do people do in an office, reply to email,s , phone calls,
use slack or some business messaging app.go to meetings .
go outside for a smoke, have a tea break.
i think we would be better to be like the french,
work 9-5 ,thats it.
go home.
Alot of people are at work in an office,
are they working all the time ,
or looking through facebook.?
Theres 1000,s of bull**** job,s ,
pr, hr , that may not be very productive in terms
of doing anything for anyone.Or achieving anything at all .
depend where you work, if you do not insult the boss, or screw up
,eventually you,ll
get promoted when someone leaves or retires .
everyone can be replaced,
companys are just designed to grow or continue to exist.
you could work extra hours at a company and it makes no difference.
Every company has a different culture .
some people get promoted cos they are well dressed ,
polite, nice to the boss .
While doing less work than the other people who work there .
You are naive if you think promotion is just based on merit .

ILoveYourVibes

riclad wrote: »

You are naive if you think promotion is just based on merit .

True.

Gorteen

To paraphrase Mary Harney (even though it kills me)….

My worst day in management is better than my best day on the shop floor

Tony EH

sdraobs wrote: »

Some people work hard 12 hours a day and climb the corporate ladder. earn mega $$$$, but miss out on family time and miss out on hobbies etc.

Others do enough to get a steady job, 5.30pm and out the door. dont go to fine restaurants or have nice stuff. but have alot more spare time.

What are your experiences. Is it worth the risk of working hard in the hope/presumption you will progress in a career. And only do it if you have a job you really love.

Never met anybody whose "career" made them happy. They're usually very empty people too. Meet a few of that type in my work, they're usually American and the first and last thing out of their mouths is about their jobs, as if that has some sort of cache.

Most folk are happy to do a job they can relatively like and work to live their life. Lives that they put concentration into than their job.

If you live to work, you're living life wrong.

By the way, the company you work for doesn't give a fuck about you and they'll drop you like a hot snot, if they want to lighten their load. Never forget that.

So choose your level of output for them accordingly.

ChikiChiki

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Become a contractor, do your 9-5.30 and then get up and leave, earn more than the manager who's signing your timesheets.

This. Do 6 month contract iterations, up your daily rate with each new contract. I've seen PMs earning E1100 a day whilst some days doing squat diddly. Once your project planning is up to scratch and the methodology is followed it can be straight forward.

jcorr

ChikiChiki wrote: »

This. Do 6 month contract iterations, up your daily rate with each new contract. I've seen PMs earning E1100 a day whilst some days doing squat diddly. Once your project planning is up to scratch and the methodology is followed it can be straight forward.

What career sector is that in IT?

ChikiChiki

jcorr wrote: »

What career sector is that in IT?

I myself am working 6 month contracting with a Finance company. I work closely with IT and the Business as a liason in between and oversee my designated project streams.

In the instance of the PM I worked under,, Financial institutions implementing fintech. PM with an IT PM background. No 3rd level qualification either, just experience and some professional certs and on insane money.

I prefer contracting to traditional working. Just do my 8 hours and out the gap for far better money. I can take a day off whenever I want, just will not get paid. Not being micromanaged. Saying that each company is different in how they operate their projects. I was in with a Big 4 and it was a nighmare. The workload was more than could be done in a day as was the culture. Screw that! I quickly left.

Also, I think contracting is an alternative way to climb the corporate ladder. A lot of the time you are engaging and seeking approvals at a strategic level. Part of the process is building relationships with them. An example is, my escalation path leads me directly to the CEO. Im sure if I wanted permanent, I could have a word.