Blogs: Jack breaks work taboos

Jack has finished his degree. His job hunt is proving a long and difficult road.

Another blog? Go on then, would be rude not to I suppose. Another belated Happy New Year to the readers. I hope you are all enjoying a blissful 2012 which is as prosperous and profitable as mine. And if you believe that, you will believe anything.

I have not accomplished much so far; there is no physical evidence to show that I have had a productive time. I have found the caring, nurturing side of myself and it has brought out a nicer, more content side of me.

I’ve also had friends who have gone through some unpleasant experiences recently and matters have been out of my hands.

Unfortunately, such experiences have further enhanced and reinforced the characteristics of myself that aren’t my most pleasing, and that only hinder me in this adventure known as life. I would like to think that if my life was a film genre, it would have to be described as ‘unclassified’, equal measures of comedy, drama, horror and suspense. Except this is real life, there are no happy endings here folks.

Anyway, let us focus. The entire concept and reasoning behind my blog is to enlighten graduates on the rollercoaster path from full-time undergraduate to full-time taxpayer, navigating through every junction in between. The problem is, I have once again stopped to a grinding halt and have almost been broken by the daily grind. The most unfortunate observations about the working world are quite taboo and mainly moaned about during a pint down the local.

The unwritten taboos of the working world:

• You have to play the game. An inability to do so will severely hamper your chances of getting anywhere within a company. Being ultra cheery around your superiors will be a trait of people who have already moved up in the company.
• Your life will essentially revolve around your job. Try as your might, plans will be cancelled, adjusted, and people will be disappointed in the long run. Eventually, you will have to revolve your social plans and rendezvous around work, not the other way round.
• Stereotypes and impressions are evident and ongoing, despite the mass reduction in apparent discrimination in the workplace. Carry yourself with a degree of class and an air of respectability.
• Social media profiles are monitored and will affect you in your role. Your status, posts and comments that may include digs, insults and generally demeaning things about your employers and employees will come back to haunt you and, in many cases, have already led to dismissal.

Such things are rarely talked about, but having completed my first official calendar year in employment, these are all incidents that have affected me, and have hindered my advancement in a company I respect, and a job I adore; something that I have been unable to accept.

The fact that I am even discussing this… I’m sure that if some Coral top brass was to read my blog there would be further consequences and, given my inability to play their game successfully, the worst could well happen.

Until next time, take the advice and remember, do as I say, not as I do. @JJMSports