CAD SUPERVISOR!!! After twelve long years of working as a CAD operator with different companies with different disciplines of engineering, I finally made it! Thanks for the trust that my current employer, Philkoei International Inc. have given me. Trust is very important to me and I don’t want to break this trust. Being a CAD supervisor is new to me and this is a big challenge for me. I have to read a lot of articles (which I don’t usually do) on how to become a good leader. I’ve encounter one good article from Bentley Publications on How to keep your job as a CAD Manager by Mark W. Kiker. I think this article could be applied also for Cad supervisors and I want to share this with you.
1. Don’t be average. Don’t expect to stay off the short list if you are doing a lackluster job. The biggest thing you can do to solidify your position is to do a fantastic job in your role with the company. Doing the best you can do at all times is the first step toward financial security. No one is going to work hard at keeping an average worker. You need to do the best you can do.
2. Do more than expected. You need to be doing more than what is expected of you. You need to go beyond the job description. If you fulfill the job description and do not expand beyond it very often then you are only doing what is expected of you when you hired on. Moving to higher and higher levels of job security requires you to take on more responsibility and duties. If you are going beyond the basics then you are poised to stay with the firm.
3. Build your brand. Let others know what you have been doing all year. Now is not the time to be invisible. You need to take heed that invisible CAD Managers soon get thought of as being unneeded. You need to become visible and stay visible. Keep track of accomplishments and share them year round. Don’t brag, just inform.
4. Go above and beyond. Come in early. Stay late. Take on more responsibilities. Let your accomplishments speak for you.
5. Don’t play politics too heavily. Offices are full of political struggles. Some are just like High School. They have cliques and social groupings. You need to remain fairly neutral in all of this. Don’t buddy up to close to one group at the expense of another. If you select the wrong person or group and they end up out the door, you could be next.
6. Be positive. Even if there is a negative tone in your firm or your industry. Stay positive about the future. No one likes to be around a negative person. Don’t complain or get grumpy. Stay away from problem employees. Now is not the time to be part of the cranky gang. According to a 2005 Harvard Business Review article, people actually will select “likable” persons over competent ones when they need to get something done.
7. Contribute to the bottom line. Even if you are not directly working on projects you can reduce spending somewhere. You can also contribute by making people more productive. Now is the time to help others get more out of the software. Focus on the business needs.
8. Be Approachable. Now is not the time to be stuck to your chair. Get out and talk to people. Let them come and talk to you. Say “Hi” to everyone in the morning and go out to lunch with the crew every once in a while.
9. Be Appreciative. Thank those who have helped you out. Make sure that people above you and below you understand that you are thankful for their assistance, input and advice.
I’ve learn a lot from this article. I hope you learn also!
Filed under: Autodesk Products
