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Here’s a little story about life in entry-level world. Yes, entry-level world. A place of digging in the trash for someone’s lost folder and getting other people coffee whenever they ask for it. A grand place, entry-level world.
In entry-level world, your boss is not always the smartest person you meet. Your co-workers don’t always want to succeed as much as yourself. And you don’t always get recognized for all of the excellent things you do and brilliant ideas you have.
Give yourself a pat on the back for being the unknown soldier in an unmarked grave.
BUT, have no fear. There are ways of pulling yourself out of the slums of any entry-level job, and moving on up…to the East side (to a deluxe apartment in the sky…) And here are a few ways how:
And if you happen to be working at a place that doesn’t seem to recognize anything that you do (and you actually are working hard and efficiently), try making hints about how amazing you are. Be the positive tattle-tale on yourself. And if that fails, rinse and repeat at a new job.
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9 RESPONSES TO "ENTRY-LEVEL TIP: YOUR BOSS IS LIKELY NOT SMARTER THAN YOU ARE"
"There are ways of pulling yourself out of the slums of any entry-level job, and moving on up…" It's called proving yourself -- not self professed superiority.
Has the readership here and on PT's blog suffered such a hit that the titles need to be re-written to attract negative comments as a way of generating traffic? If so, your boss is likely not smarter than you!
All good tips, well said.
On a similar note, in talking about our work with a friend she had a laugh at what I thought was a strange comment by her. She asked me if I could do what my boss does. When I said "nope, probably not" she laughed and said "uh-oh", as if there was a problem and perhaps I was screwed...(?)
The thing is that if I could do what my boss does he wouldn't be my boss for much longer. I'm glad that I can't yet, but someday I hope to. He manages many and massive projects and is a good people and task manager. He's the branch manager.
End message: if your boss is smart, or at least if you think he is, then your job is probably good and will get better.
Your article makes good points. An entry-level job is like a laboratory for experimenting with work styles and learning about business processes.
The title is unfortunate. There is a big distinction between "likely" (which assumes that most bosses are not as smart) and "not always" (which is probably closer to the truth). He or she is still your boss and will control what sorts of assignments you handle, so suck it up. Because you don't define smartness, its relevance becomes limited. Torbjorn is right that it probably acts like the canary in the mine shaft: smart boss = good organization. Frankly, you, as a new employee, are not as smart (about the business, which is relevant) as you think you are. A little humility and a willingness to learn serve at every stage of a career.
"Sometimes even having a little bit of work experience can help raise you a level in future employers’ eyes."
I've definitely found this to be true, particularly if you get a boss who is willing to trust you with a lot of work. One year at my first job meant over 100 projects, which greatly impressed my next employer.
I wouldn't say I'm smarter than my boss, but I try to become an expert in the things that she isn't so that she can keep delegating those projects to me. Plus, I can specialize a bit.
Haha, it's actually really funny that everyone is commenting on the title...because I didn't actually write the title. Nor do I like the title. It's awkward.
My title was "Tips on How to Surpass Your Boss," but I guess the one they gave it is more extreme.
In my specific instance, my boss is not very smart, but she maintains being a boss because she's also very manipulative.
But you guys have great points. Thanks for commenting!
Katie, I reflected on your prior comment about the title -- and frankly I can't believe your not more outraged.
If you can't title the post or convey the meaning you intended, why for God's sake wouldn't you distance yourself by withdrwing your post? Have some respect. Your thoughts/meaning have got to have some sanctity that aren't being manipulated/degraded to further someone else's agenda. It should be intolerable to anyone with a shred of self respect.
It's funny to me that this article is written from the perspective of entry-level workers. I think you will find that as you progess through your career that things don't change much (for most people anyway). Instead of getting coffee, you'll just be completing some other mundane task that really serves no purpose. I like your optimism (that you'll be doing bigger and better things later in your career), but give it ten years and see if you feel the same way. I also like your writing style, although I felt like the article was a little brief. In general, good information.
Yeah, once again, the title makes it sound like the post is about being better than your boss, but it's not.
I'm sure the Brazen editor just thought it'd be more controversial or something, but I don't really think it's needed.
I mean, I thought my original title was quite clever :)
I would change the title on here if I was given the editing tools to do so, but if you read the entry thinking it's about ways to go beyond the entry-level position, it makes for a less "ass-hole" entry.
@ Rob: It's just a blog. I respect my writing, but I've been writing "Liberal Arts Leftovers" for the sheer novelty of it for months.
If someone can get anything good from it, more power to them. Including Brazen Careerist.
Also, I don't know how to delete a post that Brazen took from my weblog. I am not tech savvy.
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