A fresher on the job

Published: Wednesday September 10, 2008

The joy of leaving university is one that many students look forward to. The mere thought, for starters, of no more late-night study, or cramming for examinations, is a sense of relief. At last, economic independence beckons, and not having to rely on parents for money also brings a sense of happiness.

Fitting in the environment

However, all the adrenaline rush of going out in the world is quickly overshadowed by getting a job and trying to fit into the new environment. It is a new world out there, the boss, supervisor or that arrogant 'don't-ask-me-anything' colleague.

Bosses have different ways of handling freshers. While some are nice and accommodating, others can be quite harsh, expecting them to be on the top of things from day one.

Many bosses and supervisors have the notion that going to university doesn't make you 'street-smart', you do things by the book, are short on problem solving skills. Most of the times it is true!

Affirm your position

Being a 'newbie' is quite overwhelming, as you are relying on someone to show you how things are done, take you through the office protocols.

The key is to ask questions, even if you don't know what to do and you must ask - go ahead and ask with a tone of enthusiasm. Before that though, it is best to research and figure things out on your own, before you ring the alarm of despair.

It is very important to keep your eyes and ears open, all companies are constantly diversifying and tapping into new markets. See where best you can fit in here.

Sustainability

If getting a job seems to be a difficult task, keeping it may prove more difficult, if you are not willing to be flexible, go that extra mile or abide by the rules.

Difference of opinion always crops up, but if you are going to disagree, do so in a professional and logical way - don't just disagree for doing so sake.

Always justify your reason and make sure they are not frivolous. At the end of the day, you are not just working to pay your bills. You are working to build your reputation and experience. It is very important that one aims to become an asset, not a liability.

Be receptive

You cannot be seen 'aligned' with a particular group or a set of people alone. It will not reflect well on your character. One should try to get along with everyone. Being branded as a loyalist to a particular set of people will get you sidelined by other employees, which usually is not worth it.

Keep socialising at home

There are so many distractions in the modern age, which sometimes become a nuisance at work. One of the major things that get people fired for these days is the misuse of the Internet.

We have wonderful tools to connect and network but it is advisable to keep the access of Facebook, Hi5 and WAYN at home.

You should always be careful of what you or others post on your page. So, all those pictures, showing skin, skin and more skin, should be looked at before you send in your resume. At this point, you may be saying, what you post on your page is your personal life, but the world has changed. Some employers may find it necessary to do background checks on potential employees.

Experience counts

It is important that you don't discount any job as 'small' or 'menial', every experience is worth it. Also, learn from your mistakes. In the end, it will all pay off to your development.

Good luck on your job hunt or if you're already through the door, make yourself an asset.

How to plan your office break

As the summer winds down, many of us are trying to squeeze in a few days off before the cool weather and increased commitments of the fall kick in. After all, you wouldn't want to leave any of your vacation days on the table - and we know that vacation is good for the brain and for personal productivity.

Of course, if you're the uber-organised type, you might also want to create a checklist for leaving the office.

One word of warning: Don't get into vacation mode too early. Your boss might not appreciate your laid-back, sipping-drinks-on-the-beach attitude at a staff meeting, and nothing makes a send-off more sour than slacking off before you take off. Review outstanding business. Review your upcoming calendar and make notes.


Source:
Kawain Fearon
Jamaica Gleaner
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080910/business/business6.html