How far would you go to make yourself appealing to your/an employer?

[InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest]

I am the kind of person who will invest personal time to develop my career - I will read up about stuff in my own time, make and nurture connections using my social media accounts, network with peers, prospects and potential employers in my own time. Because if done well, this can all make me better at my job, get me a better position, and generally help me advance my career and make me land better-paid roles.

I have done well for myself, and I am convinced that the above has helped. But I know a few people who will not invest any 'personal' time doing the things I mentioned above, because, well, it's their personal time. But then complain because they don't move up the ladder (quickly) or don't get the better-paid roles.

I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts.

@InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest

Let me clarify one thing: I am not saying I did those things because my employer had asked me. I did them proactively because I knew/hoped they'd help me. Employers shouldn't expect free work - not unless someone is in a senior role and being paid very well. In that case it's not really free because it's built into the salary package, really.

Agree with you here. If you're salaried (as opposed to being paid by the hour) there is a certain amount of extra that's expected.

In my role I am a higher rate tax payer, and extra work is defo expected. As it should be for my salary.

[quote InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest]@SarahDippity Have you ever had someone think you're a bit of a sucker for doing so? I honestly think it's smart but then again I would, since I'm doing that! I was surprised to be called a sucker though![/quote]
Not that I know of. I’m sure some people do mutter darkly. On my Twitter and LinkedIn, I am careful how I portray myself. I was a SAHM for a long time, 11 years, and i need to put myself on the radar again or I’ll get overlooked. I see extracurricular stuff as an investment.

I have a genuine interest in my career field and happily spend my free time reading journals, watching lectures etc etc on it. Yes I have been on the reviewing end of many rolled eyes, bitchy comments at work. Like I'm the class swot. So I have really reduced what I say to other people

I don't live to work, I work to live at the weekend.

@InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest

I am the kind of person who will invest personal time to develop my career - I will read up about stuff in my own time, make and nurture connections using my social media accounts, network with peers, prospects and potential employers in my own time. Because if done well, this can all make me better at my job, get me a better position, and generally help me advance my career and make me land better-paid roles.

I have done well for myself, and I am convinced that the above has helped. But I know a few people who will not invest any 'personal' time doing the things I mentioned above, because, well, it's their personal time. But then complain because they don't move up the ladder (quickly) or don't get the better-paid roles.

I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts.

I can't be bothered doing any of that because I'd hate it. Some people enjoy it. Just do what makes you happy! And don't be down on other people if they do it different from you.

Being honest and I don’t want to be mean to you, I find the social media element of those things a bit disingenuous, self serving, a bit “sell out”. I don’t add people on my social media who I do not genuinely like or want in my life, for the sake of better pay.

The research part I do. Because it’s self development. But being friendly with people purely for what they can do for me financially is not something I’m down with.

I have a genuine interest in my career field and happily spend my free time reading journals, watching lectures etc etc on it. Yes I have been on the reviewing end of many rolled eyes, bitchy comments at work. Like I'm the class swot. So I have really reduced what I say to other people
Same here.
I'm not willing to do lots of extra directed work in my own time as my opinion the more teachers allow school work to fill home life, the more it becomes expected, but I enjoy reading TES, listening to interviews about education, and reading books about education as part of my wider interest in my career.

If you enjoy it and are fine whether or not it brings you any personal reward (from the way you express it, the meaning for you is in power and money, not the relationships for their own sake, which may be rather transparent), then keep going.

For a lot of us though, some bits of life are not for sale. If they aren't, then don't put them in the window.

In my field it’s the expected norm and the regulatory body requires evidence of far more of it than can ever be achieved in paid time.

What do you actually mean by networking on SM? Sorry to sound thick! Can you give me and example? I

I don’t think there’s anything wrong at all with what you do!

I do a good job, do my hours, and keep my head down.
I have very little ambition though for success or wealth.

I do this too. I read related articles, have taken extra qualifications in my own time, make sure I’m up to date on using IT packages etc and sit on relevant external committees. It’s definitely helped me progress and is good for my internal PR. It’s my choice though.

Those things definitely do help your career - your colleagues are naive if they think they’ll be able to progress as quickly/have the same profile and opportunities without putting in the extra yards.

I’ve made a conscious decision to draw back from that sort of thing in the last few years - I’m well established and get good opportunities, but I’m very aware that without investment of time/effort the opportunities won’t be the same. So I get fewer speaking opportunities and the like, and I’m not top of people’s minds. I’m fine with that right now because as I said, it was a conscious decision to draw back that was particularly about being more present for my family but also for my interests and hobbies outside of work and my career. I’ll keep the threads alive enough to be current and pick them up again in a few years, but in the meantime I’m enjoying the listening to history podcasts, sewing, writing my own stuff. My career will stagnate for a bit and it’s certainly a gamble but I think I’ve done the hard work you’ve described for long enough to risk taking a break from it.

All to say that YANBU.

I would never say this unprompted but as you asked, I would consider you to be a suckered. Employers find you appealing because they see that they can get more out of you than they are paying for. The perfect doormat. That's not what I want for my life and I'm not interested in an employer that does so I'm okay not to be promoted by thoes types. The right company will (and regularly has) promote me for doing the job they pay me for.

I don't invest any personal time really, but I'm successful and well paid - most of it is just luck to be honest

Not fully work/related, but I used to do a lot of volunteering pre-children and there were a few friends and acquaintances who were astounded that I (or anyone) would do something unpaid out of enjoyment, altruism or wanting to progress skills and knowledge. Some people just don’t have that drive.

In a work context, I’m a bit less driven and I know it holds me back, I am envious of people who have time and energy for personal development, but try to maintain good relations for when they inevitably become my senior! It’s also something I’m determined to progress more when I’m not toddler parenting.