5 Ways to make your employer lose faith in you

29 May

Employees are the heart and soul of any organization. I once named a recruitment company in Australia "Human Directions" because it is the human direction of a company that ultimately determines whether your company is going to be successful or not.

I learned a lot over the past 16 years of being in business about people. I have had employees lie, steal, manipulate, gossip and conduct unethical practises that are not within the company's core set of values let alone my own.

But mostly, I have had people who are finding their way in life and in their careers. The "bad" few have not hindered my belief in people, or what they can do for my business. It has instead educated me on what to look out for and the signs of when someone isn't a good fit.

People lie in job interviews. It's almost a given. I know you may think that that is a bit harsh, but it is true. It might be embellishing what they did in a previous role or what salary they expect to get, but it's still a lie of sorts.

I don't have a problem with that. It's human nature to want to put your best foot forward and sometimes you know you can do the job, even though you may not have made that pay grade in previous roles.

Don't think for a moment I haven't "faked it until I made it" at some point particularly earlier in my career. I am more established now, and my experience is extensive, so I don't need to do this anymore, but sure... I did it when I was younger.

Most employers are good guys. Just like most employees are good guys. What everyone needs to realize is that it is a two-way street. Some employees feel as though the employer should be happy that they turned up to work. Really? Unfortunately, there are people out there that think that way.

If you are new and starting out, don't be disheartened if a job is not a good fit. Instead, work out what you can do better next time and what you liked and disliked. It will help you get closer to finding the role that will take you through your career.

Most of us know what an employer wants to see, but what are things that make an employer lose faith in you?

Lying about the big things: White lies are something we are all use to but lying about the big things kills trust.
Not delivering: If there is a deadline and it's your job to deliver to that deadline, and you have hit the 3 strikes mark on the ability to deliver to deadlines, you are either forcing us to be micro managers or putting us in a situation where we can't trust that you will deliver. No boss wants to be a micro manager I can assure you.
Constantly having days off when you are most needed. If you are a team player and imperative to a project, when you have a day off, the project goes out of whack. If you are genuinely really sick and bed ridden - no problem. Everyone understands that. But if you have a headache, and can't be bothered taking an Advil - then you are letting your team down and you are not a team player.
Over-promising and underdelivering: It's best to under promise and over-deliver than the other way round. When you constantly over promising and under-delivering no-one can trust you.
Managing your social media and checking it all day long when it has no reference to your job: We are all for our team being on social media, but it is distracting and when you are at work, you have a job to do. It's not possible to do your job well or to your full capability being distracted all day. And no boss wants to pay for you to increase your social media following.

It's so important that everyone realizes that work is a two-way street and trust is important.