12 Ways to Be a Job Keeper, not a Job Hopper

Do you feel as though you have one foot out the door in your new job? If you’re in your twenties, that’s not uncommon. In fact, studies show that 20-something employees are 70 percent more likely to leave their current employers in the next year than workers their age from 25 years ago. In fact, the average American job-hops eight times before age 30.
The key to sticking it out at a new job is to feel fulfilled in your work and respected by others. Here are 12 ways to do it.

1. Set clear and specific career goals for the job. Know what you want out of this job (e.g., new skills, business contacts, experience in the field, more money, management experience, more responsibilities) and then go after them.
2. Organize your workspace. Make yourself feel at home. Set up easy-to-find paper and electronic files. Keep a calendar of deadlines and appointments handy and have contact information at your fingertips.
3. Be the new kid on the block. Meet everyone you can. Introduce yourself and remember names. Ask a lot of questions. Make your fresh enthusiasm felt.
4. Meet with your boss. Talk about your goals, questions, and plans for development. Show yourself as an up-and-comer. Get yourself in his/her radar.
5. Listen and learn before you present the answers. Be curious. Don’t be a know-it-all.
6. Don’t resort to shortcuts. Don’t think 85 percent is good enough, as it was in college, unless a shortcut is in the interest of productivity and won’t compromise quality.
7. Meet difficulties head on. If you have a problem with a person or procedure, speak up. Be cool and rational. Don’t make it personal. Keep issues work-focused.
8. Work until the job is done, and done right. Sometimes that means before and after hours, weekends, and holidays.
9. Maintain a work persona. Act professional in your phone calls, emails, memos, and face-to-face exchanges.
10. Volunteer for challenging assignments. Stretch yourself and you’ll feel more fulfilled. You’ll also win the approval of coworkers and managers.
11. Stay focused on advancement. Concentrate on consistently excellent work, demonstrating business literacy, expanding your network, and following through.
12. Keep an accomplishment log. At performance reviews, bring an accomplishment log to remind your boss that he or she is lucky to have you onboard.

Nicholas Aretakis is author of a new book, No More Ramen: The 20-Something’s Real World Survival Guide (Next Stage Press), and hosts an online community for college students and recent grads at www.NoMoreRamenOnline.com.