Dog eat dog corporate world

[incameet]

When I worked in the engineering field, I felt an individual contributor(i.e. engineer) was well respected by the companies. I didn't feel like I wanted to move up. But after switching to the healthcare industry a few years ago and now the finance industry, I found an individual contributor is treated like trash in these industries. Companies tend to think if you remain as an individual contributor, then you either have weakness or are incompetent. As such, the higher position a person gets, the more respect he would earn. Also I found people are very aggressive in these industries. Many are ruthless in getting their promotion, even at the expense of others. I didn't realize this until had some horrible experiences. I want to read some books to better understand how to navigate in such dog eat dog corporate world. If you know any good books, please let me know.

[alexb5784]

Wow, I'm sorry that you've had such a hard time in the corporate world. I've worked for small tech companies, a large top 30 private university, and a large 1000+ employee company. I'm also an entrepreneur.

I've had mostly good experiences though! But I can understand your frustration, especially when it comes to incompetent people getting ahead while hard workers are left behind for dead. Navigating the corporate world can be tough if you don't know how to "Play the Game".

Truthfully, if you're constantly finding yourself working for companies that use you up and spit you up, then YOU may be the problem. Maybe you're not meant to work for company where you're invisible and nothing you do matters. Some people can deal with being a clog in a huge unappreciative machine. Perhaps you need to do more heart centered work that also pay the bills. You can find work that supports your heart and your bank account.

Here's a couple of good book on having a job that matters. Of course you'll need to do the leg work to get out there and find better employment. And who cares about the economy? There are jobs out there for those who do more than send out resumes praying for an interview.

The BEST two books on looking for an awesome job and acing an interview:

1. Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring: Take Charge of Your Career, Find a Job You Love, and Earn What You Deserve

2.What Does Somebody Have to Do to Get a Job Around Here! 44 Insider Secrets and Tips that Will Get You Hired


I've recommended these books to my friends and family members. I've even bought the interview book three times because people found it to be so helpful.

Good luck with changing your career. And if you simply can't fathom the idea of holding down a job again. Consider self-employment. You could become a consultant.

Take care and good luck with a new and improved career in 2012!

- Alex

[incameet]

Alex, thanks for your response!

I am looking for some good books on how to navigate in the corporate world, not job interview.

[wanzulfikri]

I wonder what will happen to me if I get a job.

I still don't have a job, maybe I never will.

[incameet]

Originally Posted by wanzulfikri

I wonder what will happen to me if I get a job.

I still don't have a job, maybe I never will.

You are making big bucks out of internet, then why need a job?

[Peterw]

The best books I've found on how to deal with this type of thing are "The Power of Now" and "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle.

I work in an investment bank and it's very 'dog eat dog', by removing my ego from the situation I can just stick to pure facts when somoene else screws up and tries to make it look like it was me.

Just keep all emails/correspondance, fly straight, do what's expected of you and let the career climbers shoot themselves in the foot if they try to 'step on you on the way up'.

Cold hard facts + an emotionless and 100% professional approach are your best friend.

[alexb5784]

Originally Posted by Peterw

The best books I've found on how to deal with this type of thing are "The Power of Now" and "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle.

I work in an investment bank and it's very 'dog eat dog', by removing my ego from the situation I can just stick to pure facts when somoene else screws up and tries to make it look like it was me.

Just keep all emails/correspondance, fly straight, do what's expected of you and let the career climbers shoot themselves in the foot if they try to 'step on you on the way up'.

Cold hard facts + an emotionless and 100% professional approach are your best friend.

The Power of Now is an awesome book. If you go to YouTube you can watch Eckhart Tolle and Oprah giving classes on A New Earth.

Here's the link to the classes: A New Earth with Eckhart Tolle - class n. 1 - YouTube


@icanmeet

I hope you find your place in the corporate world. Personally, I've found a mix of working for myself and working in an academic environment to be perfect. This way I work because I want to as opposed to working because I need the money. I love my career.

I hope you find your place

[alexb5784]

Originally Posted by incameet

When I worked in the engineering field, I felt an individual contributor(i.e. engineer) was well respected by the companies. I didn't feel like I wanted to move up. But after switching to the healthcare industry a few years ago and now the finance industry, I found an individual contributor is treated like trash in these industries. Companies tend to think if you remain as an individual contributor, then you either have weakness or are incompetent. As such, the higher position a person gets, the more respect he would earn. Also I found people are very aggressive in these industries. Many are ruthless in getting their promotion, even at the expense of others. I didn't realize this until had some horrible experiences. I want to read some books to better understand how to navigate in such dog eat dog corporate world. If you know any good books, please let me know.

I can't this post off of my mind. I love the healthcare field, it's the perfect fit for me. But I worked in the telecom and software industry before and I found it be seriously boring. Though I loved hanging out socially with the software engineers and sales people.

My question to you is...

Why are you forcing yourself to work in an industry that's obviously no longer a good fit for you? Why should you learn how to "make it" in an industry that you've labeled ruthless and aggressive?

Are you still in healthcare because you don't think you can do anything else? Or do you like healthcare itself but you haven't yet found an environment that supports your individual contributions?

Life is too short to work in a place that depletes your energy, time, and creativity. I have no problem walking away from situations that aren't worth holding on to.

It makes no sense to force yourself into learning how to survive in a ruthless environment. And if you think you need to do that, then you're living from a scarcity mentality. It's just the fear of believing something better isn't out there for you, that's all.

What's the real issue behind this problem? Can you give me some examples of what's bothering you specifically? Are you being passed over for promotions? Do you have an **** boss? Not all healthcare companies are the same, there are some excellent ones out there.

Thanks

[Million Dollar Man]

I don't see why people fight for a higher position in the corporate world. They are only fighting to go from slave to House Slave. But they are still mentally and physically in prison.

To break free, you must making money doing what you love with your ideas, art, creativity, talent etc.
Then work when you want, as much as you want and enjoy life.

The corporate world is the masters just having the slaves think they are special because they became an upgraded slave.
Don't believe the hype! Don't work for the Man!
Work for yourself only. And enjoy the shrimp.

[alexb5784]

Originally Posted by Million Dollar Man

I don't see why people fight for a higher position in the corporate world. They are only fighting to go from slave to House Slave. But they are still mentally and physically in prison.

To break free, you must making money doing what you love with your ideas, art, creativity, talent etc.
Then work when you want, as much as you want and enjoy life.

The corporate world is the masters just having the slaves think they are special because they became an upgraded slave.
Don't believe the hype! Don't work for the Man!
Work for yourself only. And enjoy the shrimp.

There are a lot of great companies out there. I wouldn't label all corporations slave plantations. I've been blessed to work for some really great companies.

The trick is to find an environment you can relate to. It takes a bit of soul searching but it's not impossible. For example, I work well in large healthcare and medical school settings. I'm an academic at heart and I love research. Sure there's a lot of BS and office politics, but I've found my niche. Plus, I have my own business on the side which eliminates the need to "depend on my job 100%" for money.

Find a great environment, find people you can relate to and gel with, and work for a company that's doing things you respect. And if you can't respect the company you're working for...then you're on a slave plantation by choice!