Getting ahead in the workplace

AthlonTom · 13 Jul 2006 at 15:53

Just a quick question - I'm pretty ambitous and have been trying (quite succesfully) to get ahead at work, for example I read up on subjects and write little bits of software and what not. What are you views on this? Do you do it? My seniors seem impressed but some colleagues seem to have taken a dislike for me - is this an inevitable part of working harder than your co-workers.

Thoughts and stuff much appreciated, I dont want to be unpopular with my coworkers but I want promoting!

lozza23_uk · 13 Jul 2006 at 15:58

the thing I found hardest, was being picked for stuff above other "senior designers" when I was still a "technician" on the books.

the older guys hated it. not my fault I joined the company at 16. the matter of fact is all the other people here are far superior designers, and most are very helpful...just a few old gits that felt highly threatened, and would be very unhelpful/rude/obnoctious.

my CAD knowledge is where my skills are really, dont have 30 years design experience like the others (and TBH not many of them act like they have 30years experience)

your co-workers are exactly that...co-workers. not mates, or anything else. let them be shirty with you. no skin off your nose. not really worth having

Oakesy2001uk · 13 Jul 2006 at 16:00

some people will probably not like it, but tbh I wouldent worry about people like that. I put the work in and I got promoted on monday, the ones that look at you funny are still logging calls for me and dealing with the **** after working there for 5 years in their mid/late 20's, and there I am at 20 having worked there for 8 months telling them what to do and getting promoted ahead of them. I really wouldent worry about it, keep doing what you are doing. Its their own sad fault if the have no ambition!

Dave M · 13 Jul 2006 at 16:05

Behind door 1) In 30 years time you'll be retiring at 50 with a nice pension from your high paid job and you won't have seen any of those people for at least 20 years.

Behind door 2) Your one of the lads, laugh at people who are 'keen' or 'teachers pet'. You have a laugh but really hate your job and realise it's going nowhere. Work until 75 and then be poor on a state pension because your meagre wage never afforded a private pension.

Clearly it's your choice but some people realise life isn't like the playground and some don't.

AthlonTom · 13 Jul 2006 at 16:33

Cheers - my position is reafirmed, meh, I suppose I should definetly finnish that program I started writing for tomorrow now!

mmmmmmm retirement at 50....

Bargain!

iCraig · 13 Jul 2006 at 16:35

You're colleagues are just annoyed because your showing them up. Ignore them and continue to work hard, but don't over do it, otherwise the management may see you as a bit of a creep and take no notice of your extra work.

Luke · 13 Jul 2006 at 16:38

You may be distancing yourself from your colleagues, but if you shine, you'll end up being their manager and by default they will dislike you anyway!
You might as get the salary for it!

Biohazard · 13 Jul 2006 at 16:41

why even bother thinking about this?

keep your nose down, do your job try to be helpful to colleagues show enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and take on new rolls and you can't go wrong. And there is no reason why anyone should be rubbed up the wrong way

edit: although should you really take advice from someone who has four empty bottles of bud and an empty bottle of Lindauer Brut (lol) on their desk by 16:30? ha

[DOD]Asprilla · 13 Jul 2006 at 16:46

You'll probably come to the point shortly where you realise that if you really want to get ahead, you'll go fo a new job elsewhere.

It's the most common way of getting promoted and getting salary increases and also means you don't have to worry about what your current colleages think.

Borris · 13 Jul 2006 at 16:49

They're your co-workers, not your friends.

While it may be important to have a good working relationship, that is all it is - a working relationship.

If you're moving on and up, then good for you. Mediocrity should never be rewarded.

Manlove is my forte · 13 Jul 2006 at 17:02

Personally I work in a team where I feel that team ethics is an important quality that we have. We are all team players and look out for each other. We do the work and make sure that even if the company is not showing us the recognition we deserve, we at least enjoy coming to work with the people we work with. That's not to say we are not ambitious. We all know what we want and where we want to be. But in most cases we are all already there. Our positions in IT is highly sought after and considered an elite role.

TBH when I joined the team at 19 there were some people that reacted negatively towards me, due to my age and lack of experience. However I was there to be groomed into the role I am in and nearly 6 years on I am respected within the team internally and externally.

I think the only negativity that people (of my level) express is when someone gets a promotion (or recognition) that is undeserved either because they have got there off someone else's back and that person has not been given the credit deserved. Or they brownnose their superiors and make a big deal over every little thing they do, where as the rest of the people in the area get on and do the things that need doing without making a big song and dance about it. Getting promoted through hard work and dedication at any age or level I approve of. Getting promoted by blagging I'm not too keen on.

cleanbluesky · 13 Jul 2006 at 17:53

AthlonTom said:
Just a quick question - I'm pretty ambitous and have been trying (quite succesfully) to get ahead at work, for example I read up on subjects and write little bits of software and what not. What are you views on this? Do you do it? My seniors seem impressed but some colleagues seem to have taken a dislike for me - is this an inevitable part of working harder than your co-workers.

Thoughts and stuff much appreciated, I dont want to be unpopular with my coworkers but I want promoting!

My only concern would be investing your time and effort in such a manner that may not neccessarily offer a decent return. But that depends on a lot of things...

I'd say that the amount of work that you do may not be creating what you are seeing from those that you work with, it might be that you are seen as trying to compete and assume one-upmanship above teamwork. If you want to move up within an organisation you definately need to get on with the people around and below you as well as above you.

I'd examine the cause of this apparent 'dislike' and not be so quick to blame it all on the fact that you 'work harder' than they do because no-one has ever offended me by working harder than I do...