CHAPTER 2
MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION
Your career opportunities will increase if you make a
positive impression on the people for whom and with whom you work. Employers
often lament their employees’ lack of soft skills, such as displaying positive
personal characteristics and having a work ethic essential to ensuring business
success. By exhibiting dynamite personal traits and a solid work ethic, you
will project a career-strengthening professional image.
In this chapter you will find a dozen personal
characteristics sought by employers. Incorporating these traits into your daily
life at work will help you develop and maintain the right attitude and attain
career success.
9: Show Enthusiasm
Have you ever seen the expression of a hockey player who was
fighting for and then scored the game winning goal? Now that is enthusiasm. Too
bad we all cannot be as enthusiastic about our jobs. Or can we? What happens to
the excited new hire who shows up to work the first day ready to tackle the
workplace with gusto? Where does that eagerness go after a few months or years?
How does she get it back? Let the boss declare an impromptu vacation day for
everyone, and you will see the enthusiasm level skyrocket for that new hire and
every other employee. It is important to realize that enthusiasm is something
over which we have some personal control. We can decide to be enthusiastic
simply by making up our minds and doing it.
We have all been helped by the waitress or bellhop or
grocery bagger or salesclerk who provided service with a smile, a helpful
attitude, and a zip in his step. And we have also seen those with an “I’d
rather hide than help you” attitude and a lackluster personality. Why do some
people in the same positions in the same or similar companies approach their
jobs and lives so differently? Enthusiasm plays a big role. Enthusiastic people
are more pleasant, energetic, motivated, and accomplish more in less time.
Think about it. Who wants to spend time with a dull, dreary
coworker or a stone-faced supervisor? Not many of us. Listless, uninteresting
people have a way of dragging everyone else in their workplace down. Learn from
them what not to do.
Show a zest for life and a love for your job through your
actions and personality. Be a coworker others want to work with and bosses want
to promote.
A note of caution: Be sure your enthusiasm is not just in
your own mind but is being projected to others. For example, some job
applicants interview for positions they would love to have and believe they
made a positive impression during the interview process. However, they were
subsequently rejected by interviewers who felt the applicants lacked
enthusiasm. How is it that these interviewees believed they conveyed their
interest in the job, but the interviewers detected a lack of interest? It
happens more often than you might think.
It is a good idea to practice making a presentation or
interviewing with a trusted friend who will give you an honest assessment of
the level of enthusiasm you project during these activities. A friend could
even advise you of the overall impression your attitude creates on a daily
basis. During performance reviews with your boss, ask for an attitude
evaluation. You might also consider finding a coach or mentor to give you
necessary feedback and help you discover ways to bolster your enthusiasm.
Consider people you know or have read about who are
passionate about what they do— successful businessmen and women, athletes,
parents raising their children. What are these people doing that sets them
apart? How do they project enthusiasm? What makes it apparent that they enjoy
what they do?
Truly enthusiastic people radiate a certain passion in
everything they do and say. They embrace their work and lives with open minds,
hearts, and arms, and encourage others to be excited about what they do and how
they do it. Enthusiastic people do not let their passion and energy fade. They
rejuvenate themselves and actively look for ways to make their work and
personal lives more interesting.
While genuine enthusiasm can make a huge positive difference
in one’s behavior, unfortunately, so can apathy. Oftentimes waning enthusiasm
stems from boredom or depression. Use your creativity to turn a tedious,
routine task into a challenge that interests and engages you. Do not let
complacency steal your enthusiasm.
Develop your own passion and demonstrate it through a
winning smile and facial expressions that mirror your excitement. Use
enthusiastic voice inflections when speaking, and choose words that demonstrate
a positive outlook.
Enthusiasm increases energy, which in turn boosts
productivity. It inspires people and creates optimism. Enthusiastic people do
not keep their enthusiasm to themselves; they share it with others. When
something good happens to someone else, enthusiastic people cheer them on and
celebrate with them.
Here are some good
ways to develop your enthusiasm:
- · Monitor your internal dialog and keep it positive.
- · Add passion to your life.
- · Find a job you love or a way to love your job.
- · Spend some time having fun.
- · Ask friends and coworkers if your passion is evident. If it is not, ask them for guidance.
- · Wear your enthusiasm in your smile.
- · Be enthusiastic about other people’s successes.
Let your enthusiasm
show; be positive.
10: Be Dependable
Let your boss down once, and it is a strike against you.
Repeatedly let her down, and your career will suffer.
Don’t leave a string of unfinished tasks, broken promises,
and unacceptable work. Build a reputation as someone who is unfailingly
dependable— someone who can be counted on to keep his word and do the job
right.
If you say you will do a task, do it. Follow through to
completion when you take on a project or challenge. If you have a deadline to
meet, meet it. If you make promises, keep them.
When you are not sure you can deliver on a task or a
promise, do not commit to it. Always make sure you understand what is expected
of you so that you know whether you can deliver the expected results on time.
If you discover that you can’t succeed on your own, ask someone for help or
guidance so that you can deliver as promised.
Be someone supervisors can approach with an important,
demanding task by efficiently completing your basic duties every day. Put your
best effort into each and every job you do.
When you finish a job, follow up to ensure it was completed
satisfactorily. If it wasn’t, determine what you need to do to address the
problems and then fix them. You may not always feel like finishing a project or
following up on it, but doing so will show you are dependable and committed to
success.
Answer the following questions to discover how dependable
you are. Of course, the most dependable people will answer each question with
always (and the least dependable will answer with never).
Always Sometimes Never
Do you fully commit when you say you will do something?
_____ _____ _____
Do you make the necessary time to work on your commitments?
_____ _____ _____
Do you start right in on projects with little or no
procrastination? _____ _____ _____
Do you finish what you start? _____ _____ _____
Do you follow through and follow up after you have made a
commitment? _____ _____ _____
Do your friends consider you to be dependable? _____ _____
_____
Do you keep your word when you give it? _____ _____ _____
Show up every day.
11: Take the
Initiative
When you arrive at work, don’t wait to get started on the
day’s tasks. If you know what is required of you, begin without being told.
Self-starters require far less supervision, and supervisors appreciate
employees who complete tasks accurately with little or no supervision (and they
remember them when it is time for salary reviews and promotions).
Accomplish more than just the minimum that is expected of
you. Putting forth that “little extra” effort takes you from being a mediocre
employee to a valuable one, and consistently doing more than required— and
doing it well— raises your visibility with management.
Seek out opportunities to prove your worth to the company.
Do not be afraid to ask for additional responsibilities. Many people would
rather sit back and let someone else do the work, especially when it comes to
unpleasant assignments. Break out of that habit if it applies to you.
Fear often prevents people from trying something new because
they do not want to look foolish or do a poor job. Overcome that fear by
focusing on how to do the job well, and truly believe in yourself and your
skills.
If necessary, work on building your self-esteem, skills, and
knowledge so that you have the ability and mindset to do the work. Be willing
to learn new things and accept the responsibility that goes with that
knowledge. Develop a sense of purpose in your mind and build a connection
between it and your job.
Look for ways to improve existing procedures and practices,
but be aware of any boundaries that exist. Do not overstep your authority, and
make sure that you always share your ideas with your boss first before you
implement any changes. Ask yourself: Can I do it? Will I do it? Should I do it?
Be a self-starter;
take the initiative.
12: Show Up and Be
Punctual
When employees fail to report to work or are consistently
late, business suffers, coworkers are over burdened, work doesn’t get
completed, and the company suffers financially. If someone has terrific skills
and a wealth of knowledge but neglects to show up to use them, that person will
be of little value to the employer (and will likely be looking for a new job
soon).
Go to work every day and always arrive on time. In fact,
report early if you want to make a favorable impression on management. Use the
extra time to get organized, review your to-do list, and get a jump on the
day’s work. Do not worry about coworkers who put in less time— concentrate on
building your own career. If you want to get ahead, you must show it.
Companies that have set business hours— whether they are a
typical 8– 5 work day or three shifts of people working 24 hours a day— expect
all employees to follow the rules and work those hours. Some businesses have
flex-time, which allows employees to set their own schedules, but they still
expect the job to be completed. Make sure you know what your workplace hours
are and adhere to your assigned schedule.
Arriving late to work and taking extended breaks day in and
day out add up to hours, and eventually days, of missed work. Five minutes here
and there may not seem like much until you sit down and do the math. Being five
minutes late six times converts to a half-hour of missed work. In less than
three weeks, you will have missed nearly an hour.
In addition to being on time, work until the end of your
scheduled work day, not a few minutes beforehand. And if you want to make a
good impression on management, show a willingness to stay a few extra minutes in
order to complete a task or project.
Follow these tips every day:
- · Show up every day and do your job.
- · Get to work on time and begin your tasks immediately.
- · Take the allotted time for lunch and breaks, and make sure you get back to work on time.
- Do not be a clock watcher while you are working.
- Work until quitting time, don’t check out mentally a few minutes early. Sometimes it is necessary to schedule time off work for doctors’ appointments, court hearings, jury duty, surgery, etc.
If you need to take time off, even if you
plan to use a personal day, give as much advanced notice as possible to lessen
the inconvenience of your absence. Don’t wait until the day before to tell your
boss you will be off.
If possible, consult with him before making the
appointment to see when the most convenient time would be to schedule an
absence that you have some control over. If you work closely with someone whose
work hours will be affected by covering for you, let her know as soon as
possible that you will be taking time off work.
If you do need to take a day
off work for sickness or an emergency, follow your company’s
attendance
procedures. Always inform your supervisor right away when you will not be
coming in to work for the day. If you are too ill to call, have someone else
make the call for you.
Be on time and return
from breaks and lunches as scheduled.
If needed, make sure to present the necessary documentation
for missing work (i.e., doctor’s excuse, hospital report, court papers, and so
on).
13: Be Friendly and
Sincere Smile.
It is an outward gesture of happy inner feelings. People
will almost always respond well to a smile and will get the impression that you
are friendly and helpful, which creates a positive working environment. A smile
might even influence a negative situation in a positive way. However, avoid pasting
a fake grin on your face, which leads people to believe you are insincere or
glossing over their problems. Greet people with a cheerful “hello” and ask how
you may be of service (and mean it!). By sincerely being friendly and helpful,
you encourage friendliness in return, minimize conflicts, and develop an “I
care” reputation.
Although it may seem you cannot be too friendly to customers,
clients, and coworkers, be aware that engaging in long-winded conversations and
personal monologues will keep you from completing your duties (and prevent them
from completing theirs). Therefore, pay attention to the length of you
conversations, and disengage quickly from chat sessions that aren’t related to
work issues.
Show a genuine interest in people. When you are sincere and
make an effort to be friendly, you project an “I care” attitude that makes
others more receptive and open. Everyone remembers how they are treated, good
or bad, and will often react in kind.
Be friendly, sincere
and honest.
14: Be Honest
Being dishonest is one of the surest ways to sabotage your
career and work relationships. Once you are branded as a liar or someone who
cannot be trusted, your reputation is truly damaged. It is difficult to restore
trust once it is lost because of lies and deceit. Never deceive others.
Although telling the truth is the core concept of honesty,
encompasses far more. For instance, exaggerating or overstating information,
making excuses, cheating, spreading rumors, and falsely blaming others are all forms
of dishonesty. Withholding essential facts or not conveying necessary information
are also forms of dishonesty.
If it seems as if dishonest people get away with their
deceit, know that eventually their actions will catch up with them and turn
others against them.
Make sure you communicate honestly with everyone you work
with. Take care to provide accurate information to customers, clients, and
coworkers. Accurately report facts, costs, delivery dates, and the like.
If you
do not finish a project on time or if you make a mistake, own up to it and tell
the truth.
Be honest with yourself, too, about your own feelings and
values. Make a point of being committed to the truth in all of your dealings.
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