by Paul Roberts

Created on: March 13, 2009   Last Updated: March 19, 2009

Dealing with the experience gap can be unnerving to say the least, for some, others there is a different reason. The actual experience gap! How do you handle the fact that you have more experience then the person who's actually in charge of you? You're also older, hopefully more mature and you may have one or two credentials he doesn't have. Tactfully. Thats right , tactfully. Use your experience to help foster team work, nurture growth and stimulate learning. Be a team! I have seen, unfortunately in my time, where a company will hire an individual that does not posses this trait. It often leads to disgruntlement and ultimately , dismissal.

I would like to present these three words to the next person who is looking at going back to work: Be, Know, Do. I'll explain.

BE: Be professional at all times,not just to get your foot in the door. Be aware that things have changed. Be open to learning, understanding that learning is actually a behavioral change in its self. Be confident but not overbearing. Be ready to join a team and be a team player.

Know: Know your job! Before we can boast about our credentials we should really see how much we really know. In line with that , know your own strength and weaknesses . Suppress those feelings that you got to out do everyone to show your worth, that's just a train heading for a wreck. If you can learn everything about your job, I mean everything even where it ties in with the company's objective, then you have attained position power, a valuable asset to the team and in turn the company. Know your teams strength and weaknesses, remember you are only as strong as the weakest link.

Do: Lead from the front! You say you're only a line assembler, then be the best at it! Do accept ownership, of your work, your teams work and yes even the company's work. Why? If you only took the job to get paid, your in the wrong area and also on the wrong information sheet. I'll give a small example here; we trust our vehicle to the mechanic thats doing a simple oil change, right? If he doesn't feel the need to Be,Know and Do , a simple oil change can spell disaster down the road. For example a loose drain plug.

So let's go out there and get that job! In closing I would like to say , I entered my chosen profession when I was 17, at age 18 I was a small group leader. At 21 a mid level supervisor and at 30 I was in charge of a company size organization. I trained foreign personal on economical and agricultural issues as well as briefed high ranking officials. I traveled all over the world and have on many occasions either worked for or side by side individuals that either where younger or older ,held higher or lower managerial positions then me., yet managed to accomplish the organization goals! Then like most I retired , at 37 ! That's right I was in the military. I am currently employed as Chief of Maintenance , a long way away from the managerial position I had, but Be, Know and Do, I have job security.

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