Getting your player ready...
A common mistake made by employees at a
new job is to let too much time elapse before
getting involved in the center of a department’s
activities.
to want to sit and
observe before attempting
to make an impact. New
workers must realize that
the company did not hire
you to sit on the sidelines. Most often, new recruits are
hired based on past experience
and because a recruit’s
specific strong points fit in
with the way things operate
at a particular company. The company did not hire a
blank slate with the hope of
filling it. The demands of this economy have
employers bringing in employees who will
make an immediate contribution. With this in mind, new employees should
take extra steps not only to make an outstanding
impression on superiors, but to show that
a high level of confidence exists in their own
abilities to succeed. This increases the onthe-
job recognition factor, and shows a desire
to make an immediate impact – something
that sharp managers will sense, increasing the
chance that the new employee will receive
high-level and highly visible responsibilities
right out of the starting gate. The following are points and techniques to
consider for making a noticeable impact at a
new position. First In, Last Out. Resign yourself to arriving
early and staying late. No employer likes a
clock watcher. There may be times when you
have to find things to do toward the end of
the day. Realize that your mere presence past
quitting time, although there really is no such
thing as “quitting time” in this New Economy,
goes a long way in the visibility department.
There will come a situation where a manager
needs help in, say, solving a customer problem
shortly after most employees have left for the
evening. Any help that you can offer in solving
the problem will be remembered more than if
that same situation came up during the course
of the normal business day. Maintain Your “Likability Standard.”
Being disliked by someone in authority is
the single most important reason employees
become buried in particular departments or
discharged, not because of lack of skills and
abilities. You were liked when hired, and that
standard must be maintained. However, it will
not continue automatically; it takes constant
work. In the workplace, people fall out of favor
if they become careless or too overconfident
about themselves. It is so important to mentally
review what the employer liked about you
when you were hired, and then strive to maintain
or even improve upon those qualities.
The idea that an employee needs to be liked
by his employer is echoed far and wide by
career counselors and executive advisors.
Abilities. No employer likes a rogue employee.
It is never appropriate to demonstrate your
uniqueness and creative talents by divorcing
yourself from the team atmosphere that most
employers try to create. Instead, go out of
your way to assist peers to show that you can
be depended upon. Do extra leg work for the
team, even if it means working extra hours. Volunteer Yourself. Volunteering to do
extra assignments is an excellent way to show
superiors that you are ready to be an impactemployee.
However this can be a delicate situation.
On one hand, to volunteer for extra work
or become involved in the company’s community
activities is an excellent way to be noticed,
but on the other hand you must not appear
that you are taking on the extra responsibilities
simply to get promoted. Do Not Be Afraid To Do A Little
“Calculated Bragging.” Calculated bragging
means to pick your spot and be subtle when
showing superiors specifically how you are
doing. No one likes to listen to someone talk
about him or herself constantly. However,
there are ways to let superiors know that you
are doing an excellent job without giving the
appearance of braggadocio. Make it a point to
tell your supervisor what you have done, and
see the supervisor with substantive new ideas
to be talked about face-to-face as opposed to
writing a memo that cannot possibly have the
impact of a one on one meeting.
