Module 7 - Professionalism and Job Retention: Review …



Module 7 - Professionalism and Job Retention: Review QuestionsLearning Your New Job – The First Few Days on the Job Your first few days at a new job are a lot like your first days in a new school: You look forward to a new beginning filled with exciting possibilities, but you're a bundle of nerves. What if they don't like you? What if you say the wrong thing? What if the job isn't what you thought it would be? It's not surprising that starting a new job is frequently listed as one of the top ten most stressful events in a person's life. INSTRUCTIONS: Circle the ONE thing that will NOT help you adapt to your new job.Adjust to your new schedule. Get to bed earlier than usual, and set an extra alarm. Don't make a poor first impression because you're late or exhausted.Be ready for anything. Some new employees aren't even given any introductions, a desk, the proper keys, or even enough work to do on the first day. Others are thrown into a whirlwind of activity and expected to catch on.Write it down. Bring a pad of paper wherever you go, and write down important information. Learn names quickly. You will make a strong first impression and will fit in more quickly. Don't be afraid of sounding uninformed—you are uninformed! The quickest way to find out what's going on - is to ask.Listen. Some new employees are so eager to demonstrate their new skills that they appear to be arrogant know-it-alls. Be a good listener.Be enthusiastic. Show eagerness to do the job. Show that you're excited to be in this new position. Offer your opinions; make suggestions for changing things you don’t like or don’t understand. If you don’t like the way the company does things – speak up and complain. Be optimistic. Don't get discouraged if you feel overwhelmed. Everyone experiences a learning curve when starting a new job. Be open to receiving help from coworkers - Quickly learn as much as you can about the company and about your individual work responsibilities and duties. Your First Few Weeks on the JobThe first few weeks on the job are sure to be challenging. If you're like most people, you'll feel a bit unsure of yourself for a while. But don't let your fears take over; it won't take long until you feel comfortable and even confident in your role. INSTRUCTIONS: Circle the ONE thing you should NOT do to learn your new job.Learn your company's policies and procedures. Some companies have a formal orientation program for new employees, whereas others expect you to learn as you work.Become aware of the corporate culture. Become aware of how many hours people work. Some companies are strictly 9 to 5, whereas others expect workers to put in longer days or take short lunch hours. (Be advised that most companies don't pay salaried workers for overtime.) Be aware of written and unwritten rules.Dress appropriately. Observe the dress code—whether written or implied—and be sure your clothes are appropriate. Wear clothes and jewelry that demonstrate your professionalism. Dress at or above the conservative median within the company. Until you are sure what is acceptable, remove or hide tattoos and piercings. Practice good personal hygiene and grooming. Be sure you are clear on what "business casual" means at your workplace and when it's acceptable. Be sure to dress professionally for all business events and client interactions.Ask your coworkers what they get paid. It's important to know that you are making the same salary or getting paid equal to your coworkers for performing the same work.Clarify job expectations. Talk to your boss to learn what he or she expects from you.Identify the winners. Figure out who the superstars are at your company. That's usually easy to do because they're people who are well known and respected. Observe the company's movers and shakers, and learn their secrets to success. Do they have a good attitude? Do they work harder than others? Are they more reliable? Are they committed to quality? When you determine what helps them stand out, you'll be able to emulate their good qualities.Your First Year on the JobYour first year of employment will have both ups and downs and successes and failures. Here are some tips you can use that will help you succeed at your job.INSTRUCTIONS: Circle the ONE thing that will NOT help you succeed at your job.Learn your job and accept all responsibilities willingly. Be open to new ideas. Become proficient in the tasks and responsibilities that you were hired to handle. You may be asked to do entry-level tasks that do not fully use your education and skills. Complete those tasks with a good attitude. Be willing to learn new skills and new ways of doing specific tasks without complaining.Accept that you will make mistakes. What's important is how you learn from those mistakes.Focus on performance and results. Excuses, even the best ones, are not what managers and supervisors remember at review time. Meet deadlines. At work, you're often responsible for setting your own deadlines or at least for recognizing when tasks need to be completed to meet final deadlines. Take initiative and go the extra mile. Don't be afraid to assume responsibility. Ask questions if you're unclear about an issue or task. Request assistance if you need it. Take on projects that others don't want. Always do more than what's expected of you, never less. Do it without being asked or expecting recognition for your efforts – with a willing and positive attitude.Use common sense. Try to figure things out on your own before asking for help. Work on developing your own instincts. Be a good listener, and you'll accelerate the learning process.Pay attention to detail. Detail-oriented people get the job done right, leaving nothing to fall through the cracks.Dress appropriately. Wear clothes and jewelry that demonstrate your professionalism. Dress at or above the conservative median within the company. Until you are sure what is acceptable, remove or hide tattoos and piercings. Practice good personal hygiene and grooming. Be sure you are clear on what "business casual" means at your workplace and when it's acceptable. Be sure to dress professionally for all business events and client interactions.Earn the respect of your coworkers and superiors. Make a good impression. The tendency is for everyone to watch the new employee. The impression you make will set the course for your career.Practice proper phone and e-mail etiquette. Answer your phone with a professional greeting; a simple "hello" is not considered professional in a workplace. Only send e-mail to the people involved, and remember that the quality of your writing helps establish your professional reputation.Use technology professionally. Use your phone and computer for company business only.Watch your language and your behavior. Profanity and slang are unprofessional. Any type of racial or ethnic slur or a comment that could be perceived as sexual harassment is unacceptable. Prove that you can work well without supervision and that you are dependable, responsible and professional at all times.Keep your workspace businesslike, neat and organized. A few personal touches are ok. Avoid offensive posters and calendars or posted slogans that reflect a negative attitude. Clean your desk each day. Stay informed. Keep up-to-date with what’s going on with your company and industry.Keep your personal life personal. Involving coworkers in personal problems is unprofessional. Post negative things about your job or your coworkers on social networking sites. It won’t hurt your career.Develop a reputation for honesty and integrity. Integrity means doing what is right, even if it is difficult or unpopular. Don't lie, cheat, or steal, even when you're unlikely to be caught. Share credit with others. When you are personally complimented for something that was a team effort, be sure to share the glory with everyone who contributed.Accept criticism. Try not to become defensive when criticized. Instead, learn from your mistakes.Working with Your ManagerThere are likable people and unlikable people, and managers can fall into either category. If you have a good manager, you'll have the opportunity to learn from someone with experience and to develop a long-term professional relationship. If you find that getting along with your manager is a challenge, swallow your pride, and consider this an educational experience. INSTRUCTIONS: Circle the ONE thing that will NOT help your relationship with your manager.Understand your manager's position. He or she most likely answers to another boss, who is interested only in performance and results. Communicate with your manager – your job successes, but don’t tell your manager about the mistakes you make and the failures at your job. Your manager is way too busy and only wants to hear about your successes at your job.Take the ball, and run with it. Find ways to help your manager get the job done. Instead of asking for guidance on every aspect of a task, take the initiative to gather information and make decisions.Accept criticism without becoming defensive. Work on improving deficiencies, and learn from your mistakes.Show respect for your boss in everything you do. Don’t be a complainer. Don't join in when others are boss bashing, even if you're tempted. It's unprofessional, and it may come back to harm you in the future. When others begin to complain, don’t join in.Leave the job if you don’t get along with your manager. At some point in your career, you're likely to encounter a manager with whom your personality clashes (you and your manager do not get along). If you see no hope for developing a good working relationship with your manager, begin quietly looking for another job (either outside the company or in a different department inside the company). Continue to act professionally and responsibly—even if the situation or the relationship is difficult. Managing Relationships on the JobIt would be a mistake to think that success in a job depends wholly on your level of expertise and performance. Good interpersonal skills can be just as important—if not more so. If your personal attributes and the culture of the hiring company don't match, you may be in the wrong place. A situation of "bad chemistry" has serious results. If you can't adjust to the corporate culture, you could be out of a job again.Managing RelationshipsThe term right chemistry refers to the match of an employee's behavioral style and the required style of an employer and of a particular job—in addition to having the required job skills. Interpersonal characteristics and cultural fit are highly important elements of professional success. Good social skills, a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and a sense of humor are vital. Below is a list of tips to help you establish successful relationships with your coworkers, and help you become a team player.INSTRUCTIONS: Circle the ONE thing that will NOT help you become a team player.Develop a "team mentality!' Exhibit a good attitude.Participate in group activities during company time and after hours. Such group sports as softball and bowling can provide great bonding experiences. Social gatherings can help make work settings more comfortable, but remember that your off-hours conduct should never be inappropriate.Volunteer only for those teams that you know the people. Never take a risk and join teams or projects where you don’t know the other team members.Show your team spirit; take pride in the team. Support your coworkers. Contribute to team success. Share credit for accomplishments, and congratulate others on their successes. ................
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