After you graduate from college, the only thing you want to
do is get your first job immediately. You will do whatever it takes to get
hired, and the last thing you want to do is screw up. Unfortunately, so many
new grads end up making this mistake early on in their careers.
Surprisingly, the problem most new graduates face in the
workplace does not come from the fact that they have poor technical skills or
they lack knowledge. What usually costs them their first job is their “persona”
in the workplace.
Without any experience and expertise, how are you supposed
to earn the respect of your boss and your colleagues in your first job? Below
are some important things to remember and practice:
1. There are many things you don’t know yet, so don’t
pretend that you do.
It doesn’t matter if you graduated with honors because the
truth is that you don’t have any experience to boast yet. You are a newbie in
the business world, so you should avoid assuming you know how things should be
done around you. You can’t afford to have your older and more experienced
colleagues thinking of you as arrogant.
2. Be appreciative and offer a sincere ‘Thank You”
Everyone around you is a human being who loves being appreciated.
Thus, one way of gaining positive attention is by being a warm member of the
team who knows how to appreciate the good things other people do.
3. Volunteer and be an angel to your coworkers.
You may be surprised to know that most of the people in the
organization are clock-watchers. These workers are not always willing to put in
extra work or spend even an extra minute in their cubicle. As a newcomer in the
workplace, it is good practice to offer to take on some extra assignments or
tasks. This will make your boss and coworkers think of you as someone they can
rely on any time.
4. Be a good listener.
Surprisingly, many newbies in the business world are not
being good listeners because they are often too eager to prove what they know.
As a result, they are often thought of as arrogant and someone who is not
willing to learn from those who know better than them. It is very important
that you know how to listen and not just hear what you are being told. Besides,
there is a lot you can learn by paying attention to what is being said by those
who have more experience and knowledge than you.
Earning respect in the workplace is no joke, especially if
you are too young to have something to show off. By talking to a personal coach, you will learn how to
be significant in the workplace while at the same time gaining the respect of
your colleagues.
