Last updated : Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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7 Career Lessons to Learn from "Up in the Air"

"Up in the Air", the latest from Jason Reitman, has been a top-earner at the box office this season, collecting six Golden Globe nods. Yet perhaps the reason why the film has been so widely appreciated is because it's diversely relatable. It follows Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), a "career transition consultant", who spends 300 days a year on his own traveling the country firing employees his own company has been outsourced to handle. But when a young, new employee challenges conventional practices, we see Ryan question his lifestyle through new relationships. It's a film for the business traveler, the career-changer, the ambitious college grad, as well as the recently fired, the newly hired and of course the broken-hearted. In this economy, it certainly speaks to a huge slice of the "American Pie", and no matter where you fall in the work force, there are certain essential nuggets of career wisdom you can take from this movie, which in turn may just get your own career soaring in no time. 

And don't worry, for those of you who haven't seen the movie yet, there are no spoilers here.

1. If you travel for work, be efficient about it.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- The purchasing of proper luggage. Let's get rid of the 1989 L.L. Bean Duffel. Ryan suggests a suitcase with 360-degree rotating wheels. This one is nice.
- Packing lightly. You're on a business trip, and unless your business involves clubbing and/or black-tie state dinners, lose the chiffon.
- Saving luggage space by using hotel shampoo.
- Wearing slip-on shoes. A lot can happen (and be forgotten on the security conveyor belt) in the time it takes to tie laces.

2. No matter how often you travel, it's nice to have an actual home to come back to.
Your habitual environment can have a big impact on your mood and productivity. And yes, while I've never been in a frequent-flyer airport lounge, and I'm sure the plush leather seating is lovely, it certainly cannot compare to the fabulously worn barker-lounger you can plant yourself in to watch your local team win a game or two. Coming home for a couple of days between travel stints will help you to relax and regain focus. Furthermore, taking pride in your home might inspire you to become more involved in your community, even if that means the mere act of offering a cup of sugar to neighbors you've never met.

Find out how to create a comfortable home. 

3. You can never have enough non-iron button-down shirts.
This doesn't really need an explanation, and applies to both travelers and non-travelers who a) don't like to iron, b) don't own an iron or c) wake up way too late every morning to steam their shirts.

Click here for more work wardrobe options.

4. Don't take a job for a boy.
Or a girl. I'm no expert, but I would say there are few instances when it's appropriate to move to a random city and take a job you're not wild about for someone you are. Take a job for the challenges it will present and the opportunities it will provide. As Americans, we spend the better part of our lives at work, and because of this, our work can have a big impact on who we become. So until you're really sure of who you are and what you want to do, make sure your decisions are based on the discovery of just that. Of course married people don't apply, as do those who are about to be married. For everyone else, take advantage of the fruits of the twenty-first century and sign up for Skype.

Click here for more love & relationship advice.

5. "Don’t spend a nickel of per diem unless it profits your mileage account".
I don't really know what this means, but it's a direct quote from the movie. I'm assuming this means you shouldn't spend your travel allowance on J. Crew sweaters or over-priced steaks unless you're getting some kind of long-term benefit in the form of dollars. Pocket the per-diem and use your credit card with points.

6. Be nice to your coworkers and be true to yourself. You never know who will end up writing you a great recommendation.
Just because you're not BFF with every one of your coworkers doesn't mean they can't respect you as a professional. As long as you can bring innovative ideas to the table without acting like a complete know-it-all, your colleagues will appreciate you for your point of view. It's important to cultivate relationships with others in your office. Even if you think you'll be off to bigger and better things within a year, it's the people you work with now who could be pivotal in whether or not you get your next dream job.

7. Don’t think you have it all figured out, because you don't.
This applies to everyone. The second you think you know everything is the moment somebody else is coming up with the next great idea. We develop routines as a means of both productivity and comfort, but the two are counter-intuitive. Really, how productive can we be when we're totally comfortable with everything we do? Without driving yourself crazy, question your thought processes and practices every once in a while and decide whether or not you're doing yourself any favors. And let the people around you teach you a thing or two.

For more advice, go to the Career section.

 

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