Are you ready to walk into your first job and make an excellent start?
Give attention to the following skills, and you will sail through with flying colours.
Before your job interview, you would have familiarised yourself with skills of interpersonal communication, some computer applications, organised work methods and prioritisation. Additionally, be adaptable, maintain a positive attitude and treat the undermentioned skills as paramount.
[1] Your Professional Behaviour. The first step is to avoid incorrect behaviours. Avoid being arrogant, manipulative, or negatively critical. Instead, practice, politeness, speak about others as if they are present, and take care of confidential information. Also, be careful about office parties. They may be social functions, but realise you are at work and you are being observed.
During work, when someone speaks, first try to understand what the person is saying. If not clear to you, do not hesitate to seek clarification. Mirror and match. That is, adjust your communication style to the other person’s. He will understand you better and feel more comfortable with you. Never expect the other person to read your mind. Unless you verbally say what you mean, he cannot correctly guess what you want. A vague conversation can lose opportunities.
Be brief but clear. If you speak too much, you could drown your main point because of the time spent on trivial matters. Speak positively and state your main point first.
[2] Communication Skills are verbal or written. The advantage of verbal communication is that you have the opportunity to judge the other person's tone of voice and body language. It is easier to understand the other person's reaction.
Verbal communications are advantageous [a] If the topic is complex and would take too much time to write. [b] When Negotiations are to be conducted, or you need to solve a problem as a team. Written communications are better when the other person needs time to think, or you need to convey the same message to several people.
[3] What is Good Teamwork? Firstly, keep the focus on "we", not “I”. Never take any disagreement personally; treat it professionally. Just as you have an opinion, so do your colleagues. Focus on what is best for your organisation and support each other. Good teamwork does not go unnoticed.
[4] Your Relationship with Your Line Manager. He is the most important person for your job satisfaction and career opportunities.
Make your relationship with him work successfully. Remain polite and supportive, even if your manager has a completely different personality from yours.
Your relationship with your manager is like a partnership. Your and his main objective is the same. Your firm’s success. His authority comes from his rank and experience; your power comes from your skills and the track record you build.
Be punctual, communicate clearly, and maintain a good working relationship with your line manager and colleagues. Bring solutions, not only problems. As you build up experience, your authority will increase. Then you should contribute constructive ideas.
Regular communications with your manager and colleagues breed trust. So do not be tempted to build up an image, which people fondly describe as: “He who quietly performs his job”. This image works only if you are noticeably exceeding your targets and achieving significant objectives. Otherwise, it is better to consult your manager at regular intervals. But do not unnecessarily disturb him.
Basically, your approach should be:
· Consult your line manager regularly to ensure you are delivering your work. If you are not delivering the expected results, you must discuss the matter with him. Without any discussion, it will be difficult to win your manager's confidence.
· For example, if you are not achieving your targets, do not be late in discussing them with your line manager. When I was a branch manager of a Bank, a situation arose. The branch was behind the agreed targets. From the marketing work completed by the branch, I was confident the branch would not only catch up but also exceed the targets within the next two months. So, I visited the Regional Manager to seek patience. He gave me a warm smile and asked me, “Have I said anything to you?” I said, no Sir, but I felt I should explain the matter. He replied, “ I am aware of the position of your branch, but I know you are a focused person and I know you and your colleagues will catch up”. Then he rose from his seat, and in response, I promptly got up from mine. He shook his hands with me with a warm smile and said: “Do not worry, have a nice day”.
This was a big relief for me, and it also doubled my enthusiasm! That is the power of consultations.
Good luck.
