Self-Presentation Strategies By Non-Standard Workers To Enhance Their Work Experiences

Abstract

This study explores self-presentation strategies utilised by non-standard workers at a multinational firm in Zimbabwe to improve their work experiences. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were relied upon to collect data from nine research participants who had worked for the multinational firm in Zimbabwe for at least five months. The study found that non-standard workers at the case multinational firm in Zimbabwe use a number of self-presentation strategies to improve their work experiences. The three main self-presentation strategies utilized by most of the research participants include self-promotion, exemplification and ingratiation. Only a few research participants indicated that they utilize supplication to improve their work experiences.  These participants indicated that they flaunt their weakness and give the impression that they are helpless, hoping that their managers will think they need work related favors. Hence, as it is, non-standard workers at the case multinational firm in Zimbabwe use a variety of self-presentation strategies to improve their work experiences. The current study recommends that non-standard workers know when, where and how to use self-presentation strategies in order to reduce self-damage. The study also recommends managers at the case multinational firm in Zimbabwe to be aware of the self-presentation strategies used by non-standard workers and motivate them to use appropriate self-presentation techniques that does not harm the organization.