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JOB HABITS TO KEEP YOU EMPLOYED

Working for someone else implies a contract between you and your employer. You provide skills and abilities and your employer provides pay. This is called a labor exchange. Remember that you got this job by promoting yourself as a productive worker. You have agreed to use your skills, your ability to learn, and your willingness to help your current employer succeed. You will be evaluated as an employee while you are working. The following information can help you stay gainfully employed.

• Be prepared for work
  You were hired because the employer felt you had the skills and abilities needed to get the job done. You will now need to prove to your employer that he or she made the right choice in hiring you. It is important to start a new job with a good attitude and thorough preparation. One way to prepare for a new job is to list any issues or problems you have that may affect your employment. Then, list a solution to the issue or problem. Use the Problem Identification form for listing this information. Review the form and follow the steps you listed in order to be best prepared for your new job.
  
  
• Develop good work habits
  The first things that employers will look at are your job habits. Before they can assess your actual job skills, they will see how you fit into the organization. Here are some key habits to keep in mind:
  
  
• Be on time
  The first thing that an employer sees about you is when you arrive at work. It is important to arrive at work when the employer has scheduled you to begin the workday. Your coworkers also rely on you to show up to work on time, whenever you are scheduled.
  
  
• Keep your employer informed
  If you will be late or miss work, call your employer. Every workplace has people just like you. Employers will understand if you are sick or need to arrange emergency care for any child or adult in your care. They will not be as understanding if you fail to let them know why you did not show up for work or if you do not tell the truth about your absence.
  
  
• Work diligently
  Make sure you provide a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. Conduct your personal business on your breaks and outside of work. Do not use work phones or computers for personal reasons.
  
  
• Wear the proper clothing
  Find out what kinds of clothes are acceptable at your work. Most employers want your clothing to be appropriate for the job and to be clean. What you wear should not impair your ability to carry out your job or interfere with your safety. Some workplaces require formal office wear (e.g., suits, ties, dresses). Some employers will provide uniforms. Some employers will be more informal. Before you wear jeans and t-shirts to work, observe what people wear during your first week of work. (This could be a good question to ask potential employers at your interview.)
  
  
• Work safely
  Keep safety in mind when you are working. Develop habits on the job that will avoid accidents for you and for fellow workers.
  
  
• Schedule time off
  Arrange time off with your employer if it will be necessary to be away from work for appointments or vacation days. Employers appreciate advanced knowledge, because they can schedule someone else to cover your duties. Employers will not be happy to find out that you knew before your absence that you had to be away from work. Find out what your employer's policies are about time away from work.
  
  
• Don't abuse your breaks
  Your employer offers break and lunch times for you and your coworkers. Find out how many breaks are offered, how long they are, and when you should be back at your work area.
  
  
• Ask questions
  If you do not understand something, ask for a better explanation. Employers expect new employees to ask for instructions and demonstrations. Employers would rather spend a little more time to train you than to spend a lot of time to correct errors.
  
  
• Find out about workplace rules
  Many employers have formal employment rules. These rules are often presented in employee handbooks, written policies, and procedural manuals. Get copies when you first start working and learn the rules.
  
  
• Leave weapons at home
  Most employers assume weapons at work will be used offensively against coworkers. Some employers may fire people for carrying weapons. Just the fact that you carry weapons can be used against you.
  
  
• Do not use drugs and alcohol at work
  You can focus on your job duties and do them well. Your health will be better. You will not have to worry about getting caught and having a criminal record. A criminal record can eliminate you for consideration in many jobs. In addition, your employer's good name will be protected and your employer will not be legally liable for your disregard of the law.
  
  
• Stay away from problem employees
  Some people tend to be negative about their jobs. Others may do things against the rules, waste time, or in other ways are not good workers. Spending time with these people will affect your performance. Your coworkers and supervisors may begin to see you as a problem. Be friendly, but do not socialize with people like this more than is necessary.
  
  
• Manage children and other family members
  Although children or other family members may be the most important part of your life, they are not the concern of an employer. Make sure that childcare arrangements are in place prior to accepting a job. If your children are in school, arrange childcare so that you do not miss work when they are ill.
  
  
• Be yourself
  Be natural, friendly, and show respect to your coworkers and supervisors. Show confidence in the way you present yourself, and don't forget to smile.
  
  
• Be willing to take on additional responsibilities
  Try your best to do something extra when you are asked. Volunteer for tasks that allow you to learn something new.
  
  
• Dealing with your supervisor
  All employers want their employees to succeed. Your boss or supervisor is one of the most important people at your work site. This person will help you learn your job duties and evaluate how well you do them. In general, supervisors want you to do well. Keep a positive attitude towards your supervisor. Think of your supervisor as the direct link to your employer and as your coach. This person is a resource for you. Treat them well and they should treat you well.
  
  
• Dealing with your coworkers
  Very few people work entirely alone. No matter what kind of work you do, you generally have to interact with other people, whether they are coworkers or customers. Remember to treat these people with the respect and good attitudes you would like people to show to you. Cooperation and courtesy are very good ways to get your job done well.
  
  
• Improving yourself
  Your output at work depends on your skills and abilities. Like many things in life, your job will depend on what you put into it. Generally, your satisfaction (and that of your supervisor!) depends on the quality of the work you do. Keep your job interesting by improving your current skills and by learning new skills. Keep your career goals in mind. Find out the skills needed for other jobs at your place of business. You may have those skills and can apply for those jobs. If you do not currently hold those skills, pursue any opportunities that can help you develop them. This includes training provided either at school or at work.

 

ATTITUDE AND RESPECT

Just like you, customers, coworkers, and supervisors all like to be treated well and with respect. Part of how you are treated depends on how you treat others.

Attitude
The way you approach your work and your coworkers can affect how you feel about your work and yourself. A positive attitude can make your work more enjoyable. Pleasant people generally make other people feel good. Think about a good experience you had at the bank, the movies, or the Post Office. If the server approached you with a positive attitude, you felt that you would receive good service. The server listened to you and you had a successful transaction. When you walked away, you felt satisfied. Now think about a bad experience you had. If the customer representative was rude or ignored you, you felt defensive and angry. The server could feel your hostility and got angrier himself or herself. If you had any kind of problem to resolve, the server probably exhibited hostility towards you, even though he or she "started" it. When you walked away, even if you got the result you desired, you probably were still angry.

Just as you feel anger and hostility from other people, they can feel it from you. If you feel that someone is approaching you with anger or hostility, you feel defensive. Your relations with your customers, coworkers, and supervisors will be easier if you approach them positively. You do not have to paste on a false smile to get your job done. Just be satisfied with yourself and with your job performance and that attitude will be what people feel and reflect back to you.

Respect
Treat other people just like you want them to treat you. This respect for others and their feelings will reflect back to you. Remember that you have to earn respect from others. It is not automatically given. When you are working, make sure that good ideas are credited to the people who created them. If you make a mistake, admit it. Use that mistake as a learning experience and your job skills will improve. When you are at work, you should use language that would be accepted by your mother, by your clergy, and by your favorite teacher. Make sure you observe other people's personal space and ask before you use any of their things. Unless issued as a tool to carry out your job duties, weapons are never welcomed at legitimate workplaces.

 

Tips for working with others

Here are some ideas for getting along with your fellow employees and making your work a bit easier.

• Do a good job
  You will feel positive. Others will respect you.
  
  
• Make a good first impression
  First impressions last for a long time in people's minds. If you make a good impression, people will think positively about you and want to work with you.
  
  
• Respect others
  People will respond by respecting you. You will feel good about yourself.
  
  
• Keep a positive attitude
  Time will pass more pleasantly. People will be more positive towards you.
  
  
• Admit your mistakes
  You will learn more and be better at your job. Others will respect you.
  
  
• Let people know whose idea it was
  If you give credit where it is due, others will do the same for you and your good ideas.
  
  
• Use appropriate language
  People will use appropriate language around you. You will feel better about yourself and your coworkers.

 

WORKING SMART

There are many ways to keep your job performance at a high level. Think about the whole task. Break that task into separate activities. Decide which activity needs to be done first, which needs to be done second, and so on. Keep the ultimate goal of completing the whole task in mind when you are doing each individual activity.

Pay attention
Listen to what your supervisor asks of you. If you do not understand what is requested, ask for clearer instructions. While your supervisor may be managing the job as a whole, you are responsible for your own performance. Make sure you know what is required of you before you leap into action.

Use resources wisely
Think about all the tasks that you have to get done and assign priorities based on the resources and abilities of your employer, your supervisor, your coworkers, and yourself. Resources include other workers, time, equipment, supplies, and energy. Sometimes working with other people can help you get your task done faster and with less effort. Sometimes you can finish the task more quickly by yourself. Learn to know the difference and be able to ask for help when it is needed.

Know yourself
Assess your strengths and weaknesses. What can you do easily and correctly? What takes more time? Determine if training can help. Training can be formal, offered by a school or the employer's training department; or it can be informal, when you learn from your supervisor or fellow worker. Let your supervisor know if a task requires activities that you need more time to learn. This way, the time schedule can be adjusted or training can be arranged.