What is a job?

Mike Palumbo By Mike Palumbo
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on July 08, 2010 at 4:01 PM

Why do they exist? How are they created? Can we "save" them?

A career, or job, is where you spend much of your time as an adult. It’s the way you support your family, right? You’re making a living! Yes, but what exactly is a job? How are they created? A job is basically a trade of your time, or skill, for something of value and typically that comes in the form of money. You put in a good days work and you expect to be paid, right?

A job exists because a company, or someone, needs something done they cannot do, so they hire your company, or you, to do it. That’s it! They are basically using your knowledge, or skills, to do the work and in return they are paying you for your products or services. If you have your own business, or if you work for a company, these companies do not exist to create jobs! Jobs are created because of the company’s success! The more successful the company the more jobs it creates to support that success.

When I got my first job as a teenager I didn’t understand this fact. I would go to work and I would get paid. That’s it! I really didn’t know, or care, why my job existed. Does this sound like you when you were younger? Maybe this sounds like you now! I hope not. Unions are notorious for this, aren’t they? The Union leadership always wants the companies to provide jobs, regardless of the success of the company! Have you heard of General Motors?

Creating a lot of jobs doesn't make a company successful. A company creates jobs because it is successful! The more successful a company is, the more jobs it creates to support that success.

So, what does this mean to you? Well, you need to have a successful business, if you’re a business owner, or you need to find a successful company or industry. You have to recognize which industries are in-demand and which industries are dying. What do I always say on my radio show and in this space?

Technology, Technology, Technology! Is the new - location, location, location! Technology is not going away!

So, why do jobs exist? A company sells a product or service and the more they sell the more people they will need to hire. Another thing I want you to factor in when deciding on a new career is, which industries will be in-demand in the future. You need to recognize if you’re in an industry that is dying, so you can make plans and find a way out - now! So, yes, jobs are a by-product of a growing successful company. If you do not own a successful company or you’re not working for a successful company, you need to be - quick! I hope this helps.

Good luck to you!

Your Career with Mike Palumbo can be heard Wednesday nights at 8pm on FM Talk 106.5 and on-line at