Superjobs

Want to get ahead in this world? Then realize one simple thing. Very little is beneath you.

In my employment history, I’ve written for company presidents and boards of directors and I’ve lectured to C-suites. But I’ve also cleaned toilets, filed restaurant accounting slips, changed diapers, been a gofer and a runner and a jack-of-all-trades.

Hard work at a lot of different jobs is the only way to get experience, a work ethic and an understanding of the many commonalities between all jobs. But today, it may also be the only way to keep your job. The WSJ recently ran an article on the trend of “superjobs” – positions that keep adding responsibilities.

Here’s another thing to realize. You are responsible for managing your career. Neither your mom and nor your career counselor nor your boss nor your headhunter is going to do it for you.

So if you’re taking on every added duty with a bowed head and a hope that you’ll be acknowledged some way, let me be the first to tell you that you’re a sap. But if you’re picking up new duties to help you get more visibility, more experience, more training and a chance to stretch, then you know what you’re about. No, these days the extra work doesn’t always come with a promotion or a raise. But make sure you’re getting something out of it. If you don’t point out that there’s a value to your time and effort, nobody else will.