GOOD WORK HABITS— MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR NEW JOB
• Always take pride in the work you do. Remember, not only should you want to do the best job possible, but your performance is also a reflection on your employer. Your First 90 Days on the Job • Do not miss work during your probationary period or your first 90 days on the job. • If you are unsure of directions or what is expected, ask your supervisor or manager questions and listen . Make notes to help you remember what the process or goal is. • Establish mutually agreed upon goals with your supervisor or manager. Determine what is expected of you from the very beginning. This includes developing clear deadlines for your projects. • Learn the corporate culture of your organization and be willing to adapt to it. Organizations expect their employees to fit in and accept the corporate culture. Observe your co-workers’ behaviors and, when in doubt, ask questions. • Regular communication with your manager or supervisor is valuable as you learn your responsibilities and grow within your position. • Be sure to listen carefully so that you fully understand instructions or requests. • Understand that feedback from your manager or supervisor is meant to help you improve your job performance. Do not interpret comments as a personal attack on your skills and abilities, but view them as a learning opportunity. • Get out of your office and network with key people. A friendly attitude can also help you to appear invested in your workplace. Greet everyone with a smile and introduce yourself. Make an effort to learn everyone’s name and job title. • Within your organization’s culture, be aware of
Whether it is your first job as a new graduate or a part-time or internship/co-op position while you are still in school, it is critical to your success to get started in the right direction. Habits That Start a Successful Career The following tips can help you to excel and avoid some of the common errors that some employees make: • Be on time for work . It is suggested you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled start time so you are ready to begin working at the start of your shift. This demonstrates dependability and responsibility. • Plan to work hard and do more than is expected. Avoid “it’s not my job” thinking. • Take initiative and ask for additional assignments once you have completed yours. Demonstrate you are a good team member and offer to assist with other projects. • Keep your supervisor informed of your progress and ask for regular feedback on your performance. If any assignments are unclear, ask for clarification instead of proceeding in the wrong direction. • Develop and utilize strong interpersonal communication skills , including both oral and written communication. Every job, including technical ones, will require some degree of personal interaction. • Another aspect of good communication skills is developing relationships with your co-workers. Get to know your colleagues and be known by others in your work environment; your professional growth depends on it . This does not mean to gossip or overshare personal information. • Interpersonal skills are important in every position. Greet co-workers, smile and make an effort to learn everyone’s name. Treat everyone with respect and courtesy. • With written work, be sure you have proofread it carefully for content and for spelling and grammar errors. This includes emails, reports and
who has the power (both officially and unofficially) to make things happen. As a newcomer, know your place within the
organizational structure and do not overstep authority. Inquire about the usage of common areas, such as the break room, and what is sharable, who is responsible and your expected participation.
presentations as well as any written documentation or correspondence.
56 CCAC Job Search Manual
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