Is Reputation all that Important?

Reputation.  My favorite definition is:

Favorable repute; good name.

In the industry, you often hear talk of how contacts are the best way for your ‘in’ to the industry.  A very good way to lose those contacts is to have a bad reputation.  In order to keep a good reputation there are 2 things you must do.

1. Work hard, be respectful, never complain, do what is asked of those above you, and do not make mistakes in your position.

2. Never recommend others who don’t level up to item #1 because it will reflect poorly on you.

As with most instances, I have found out the hard way with item #2.  You recommend someone to do a job with good intentions, and then they fail miserably or bail entirely.  Hopefully, the person you recommended them to doesn’t hold a grudge with you and is understanding.  They’ve probably also been in the same boat.  Another bad outcome is your reputation with recommending others is destroyed.  I note above to not make mistakes in your position, but you’re probably thinking well, I’m only human.  Yes, there will be times that you make mistakes, but hopefully they are forgivable and fairly harmless.  Always take responsibility for your mistakes and never try to blame someone else for them by pointing fingers.  The truth always comes out in the end, and it will look even worse if you are found out to be a liar.

Sometimes it can mean losing friendships over the fact that you simply cannot recommend them for work.  Sometimes it means cutting off friendships because you get tired of them bugging you about work.  Always be mindful of the reason why someone wants to be friends with you.  Is it to get ahead of you?  To use you for contacts?  I feel juggling work and relationships should have been a required college course.

Whenever I am recommended for a job and accept, I make sure to do the best job I can as I know it isn’t just my reputation on the line.  If I failed in my position I might lose a friendship as well as new contacts.  I once was called up by someone who had taken a job after lying in their interview.  Telling their future employer they knew how to do things that they really didn’t know how to do.  How do you think that ended up?  Not well.  Never lie.  If you really want the job, then don’t say you know how to do something but that you would really love to learn how to do it.  Do research on your own and ask others for help.  After all, this industry can be tight knit and there are plenty of individuals who aren’t the cut throat type who will help you out.

I hope this blog has been helpful for you to sort out what to do the next time you’re in one of these situations.  Look inside yourself and evaluate relationships.  Perhaps this post is relevant for you?

Til next time bloggers,

♥ Mir