With raging competition in Pakistan and the influx of promising fresh graduates every year, it’s daunting but essential to make a good impression on your first day at work. It can be difficult to strike a balance between standing out and being a team player. As compiled from worketiquette.co.uk, here are six ways that we know will help you ease into your new job.
Do be keen and courteous
Showing interest in your career development and growth is encouraged by bosses. Your superiors will appreciate your hard work, dedication and eagerness and provide you with additional job training if they see you fit for a promotion in the future. This is especially important if you have an entry-level position. Besides the usual “Please” and “Thank you,” observe basic manners, such as maintaining eye contact when someone is speaking to you.
Don’t act like a know-it-all
Although most workplaces welcome suggestions, be careful not to act superior to your co-workers and boss and needlessly criticise rules and procedures. Give it time and you might understand why things are done differently than what you’re used to.
Do be careful with your humour
You may be the funniest among your friends but keep in mind, what you and your friends find funny may not be for others. Stay away from dry humour and comments that could be taken offensively. Once you get to know your co-workers better, you’ll have a better idea of what is and isn’t okay to poke fun at.
Don’t engage in work politics
Try to avoid gossip and negative impressions of colleagues based solely on the chatty co-worker who is more unprofessional than proficient. Refrain from joining the rumour-monger crew before you become a victim yourself.
Do keep a polished look
Now that the interview is done and you’ve been hired, don’t let your standards drop. Being comfortable at work is one thing but being sloppy is another. The amount of time you put into your ‘office look’ indirectly says a lot about how you feel about your job. If your hair is a mess and your clothes are wrinkled, your new co-workers will take notice and so will your boss.
Don’t hold your silence
As the new person at a workplace, you get more chances when it comes to making silly mistakes or asking questions. So, go ahead and ask your colleagues even the most basic of questions, such as how to use the photocopy machine or what font to use when preparing a report. Making assumptions about how things work is always a risk, even if you already know how certain things work.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2014.
Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.