Career Counseling: Do the Right Thing

By: Michelle Christian, The Employment Times

You finally got a job. You did everything right; you learned everything you needed to know to get the position you wanted. Now you find you’re asking yourself, “How do I keep it?” “How do I excel at it?” Well, there are several things an employer pays extra attention to: your arrival to work on time, dress codes and cleanliness, job performance, attendance, attitude and how well and how effectively you work with others, including co-workers and the customers. Being on time is very important. Your new employer is counting on you to arrive at work on time so that their business operates well. If you’re not there when expected, your boss loses money. A boss that loses money is not a happy boss and an unhappy boss means an unhappy (or fired) employee. Put yourself in his position and be considerate enough to show up on time. Put extra effort into your new job. If you truly have an emergency (and I mean something that justifies a missed day), then call in as soon as you can so that someone else can cover your absence. Don’t make a habit of being tardy. Just like “the early bird gets the worm,” “the tardy ant misses the picnic.” Bad habits and patterns can follow you around, and the consequences can pop up when you least expect it. A bad work record does not make for good recommendations in the future! Dress codes. All businesses have them. Some require suits. Some require uniforms. Some just require good common sense. You may be lucky enough to work for someone who happens to be lenient in the dress code department. Don’t take advantage of it! Torn jeans and a stained t-shirt are never acceptable! Whatever your position requires for clothing, make sure you show up clean and presentable. Put your best foot forward! Clean under your nails, style your hair...look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed! Not only will your employer appreciate the extra effort, you will find it does wonders for your self-esteem! Last, but not least, don’t forget to iron! Going to work all wrinkly is a huge mistake. Wrinkles only look good on Shar-peis! Job performance speaks for itself. No one will keep an employee if that employee is not doing his/her job well. So, learn as much as you can, listen, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. You’re new at this. It’s better to ask, now, than to pay, later. That extra effort, in the beginning, always pays off, in the long run. Also, remember that if you find you just haven’t any interest in learning, then maybe this job is not for you. Attendance. Be there...period. I don’t care who you are, days off are a huge temptation. One day of “hooky” can lead to two, etc. Wait for your holidays and “official” days off. Don’t take advantage of generous “sick days” to play, or to visit Aunt Martha. You may need those sick days for actually being sick. So, make a habit of showing up. I’m sure you’ll be glad you did. Remember, every day is extra money in your pocket! How you go about your job is important, too. Your attitude plays a major role in keeping your new job. Smiling, efficient employees who gladly do their jobs, succeed ever so much more than the employee who does his job with a sour disposition. Leave your problems in your car as you pull into the parking lot before work. Being cheerful never hurt anyone, and who knows, you just might make Employee of the Month! Be cooperative, helpful and friendly to the public and to your co-workers. It’s a win-win situation! Teamwork. You can’t be a loner in the working world. Everyone works with someone. Everyone has to deal with at least one person at some point in his/her life. Employers love people who work well with others. It’s easier to work effectively with someone who is eager to help out his/her fellow worker, and a team-playing employee helps the business thrive. So, it’s not excruciatingly painful to work hard to make your new job last. We learn from every job experience we have, no matter if it’s temporary or permanent. You will gain valuable experience from your job to carry on to another position, or even a promotion, in your future. So enjoy your new job, and, by the way, “CONGRATULATIONS!” About the author: Michelle Dawn Christian is a 40 year old mother of two, living in Northport, MaineShe has published poems, and is currently working on a mystery novel based in Maine.