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You’re about to graduate with a degree and are probably eager to share your vast knowledge with your future employer. That’s great! Find a way to keep that enthusiasm while you learn the ropes of your field and job. Take time to learn not only the industry you’ll work in, but the office politics, the major players in the field and in your office and where you are the most talented.
Take a step back and observe before you jump in head first. You’re probably well-versed in the latest and greatest methods and systems, but your office might not be there yet. Be patient. Learn the ways and processes in your office and then make suggestions. Don’t try to change things too quickly, but at the same time stay eager, excited and current. You might hear the phrase, but this is how we’ve always done it. Instead of hearing that as, we’re never going to change, hear it as change will be gradual. If you pay attention to your coworkers you might see someone roll their eyes at this comment. Befriend that person. Talk to your supervisor about implementing minor changes slowly.
There’s a fine line between being smart and being a smart aleck. Always err on the side of caution. Don’t be afraid to show you know math, statistics and basic (or advanced!) science and don’t be afraid to share your knowledge of colors, design and marketing principles. But at the same time don’t show off just to show someone else up. You’ll never regret being kind, but you will likely regret being a jerk.
Don’t check out too early. The skills you learn as an entry-level employee go far beyond changing paper in the copier and the right way to respond to email. You’ll learn how to interact with a wide range of personalities. You’ll learn what your limits are and when to extend them. You’ll learn how to be a professional and that’s priceless.
Today’s Vocus webinar didn’t disappoint. With HARO founder, Peter Shankman, as the presenter the webinar was lively interactive and full of great tips whether you’re a big company with lots of money at your disposal or a small non-profit.
My notes and takeaways from the webinar:
- Have a good sense of humor. It accentuates the good and lets the negative roll off.
- Make yourself and company feel like a friend. Not a cold unfeeling entity.
- Add to the conversation, don’t detract from it. This is especially true during tragedies. Be human first and a marketer second. Silence can be best. As Peter Shankman said, “Shut up once in awhile.”
- No person or brand gets bashed for being respectful.
- I’d rather be known as nice than cool. Nice is good.
- Take 30 seconds a day and spread a little happiness. Make people happy they chose YOU and your company/organization.
- If you ask yourself for a second if this will offend someone DON’T POST IT.
- Making people smile will drive repeat business. Even a little smile. Shouldn’t that be what it’s all about?
- Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Don’t do it to make money, the money will come later.
- empower your employees to do nice things. Don’t make it hard!
- Regular people are the bread and butter for your brand. Celebrities are like jam. Good in moderation. Don’t chase the jam only to lose the bread and butter. The celebrities might have louder megaphones, but making more regular people happy will have the same impact.
While Peter Shankman shared the grandiose gestures brands have done for him (Morton’s, toothpaste, etc.) brands don’t have to make big or expensive statements to be friendly. Your customers, clients and members have choices, make them want to choose you. Scripts are great for consistency, but by moving away from consistency and into individual experiences you can create a better business atmosphere. If you make someone happy, they’ll at least tell someone if not broadcast it on social media.
You can see the entire Twitter conversation from the hashtag: #VocusWebinar.
What do you think?
Image from: 1.bp.blogspot.com
The phrase you should never, ever utter, even under your breath, in the workplace is, “that’s not my job.” Regardless if you’re the newest or oldest employee, boss or intern, this is a phrase you only say when you no longer want to be employed with your present organization.
Now, granted if your employer is asking you to do something illegal or immoral, you have bigger issues and should consider perhaps finding a quicker exit. But this post isn’t about those kinds of situations. This post is about those every day requests that might not be officially in your job description.
While filling the copier, fetching the mail and answering the phones while the administrative assistant is at lunch isn’t likely outlined in your job description, the phrase, “other duties as assigned,” probably is. And that’s the catch.
To be a team player, the other duties as assigned portion might mean getting coffee, refilling toner and running a few errands.
As this February 2013 article from Forbes indicates, saying that’s not my job to a coworker asking for help makes you seem uncaring and like your job is better, they are beneath you and lots of other inferences you might not have meant.
“Therefore, as a contributing member of the team, a top priority is to care about the success of others (or at least act as though you do),” Darlene Price, author of Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results says in the article. ”An unconcerned, detached and self-serving attitude quickly limits career advancement.”
Don’t limit yourself. Instead of saying that’s not my job, follow Price’s advice and instead say,”I’ll be glad to help. Given my current tasks of A, B, and C, which one of these shall I place on hold while I work on this new assignment?”
This phrase or something similar, communicates teamwork and helpfulness and reminds your boss of your current work load and the need to set realistic expectations, Price says in the article.
What are some other career killing (or moral killing) phrases?
The Office Food Trap
December 19, 2012 in Co-Worker, Workplace Relationships | Tags: a corporate office, a non-profit, already made lunch plans, asking what's in the dish, ate a huge breakfast, be discrete, Be flattered, be kind., bring something to share, bring-a-plate, co-workers might be on a diet, commenting on your food choices, coworkers, dish-to-pass, feel obligated, food, food choices, forgot about the carry in, How do you navigate the Office Food trap?, landmines, lunch plans, Macaroni and Cheese, navigating office food politics, navigating office politics, newsroom, Office food, office food issues, Office Food Trap, office politics, pitch-in, school, show their love with food, sugar substitutes, The Office Food Trap | Leave a comment
from someecards.com
It doesn’t matter if you work in a newsroom, a corporate office, a non-profit or school there will always be the carry in. Some people call it a potluck. Others call it a pitch-in, bring-a-plate, dish-to-pass or any multitude of other words that all mean you bring something and have a feast.
Seems easy enough, right? You bring a dish and so do your co-workers. But that’s where it gets tricky. Some co-workers might be on a diet or are diabetic. Or can’t eat sugar substitutes. Or show their love with food or by commenting on your food choices. These landmines don’t have to be difficult.
Do what you can for your dish, the one you bring. If you love macaroni and cheese and have a fantastic recipe, make it! Don’t modify it unless you have to for yourself. That way you’ll know what goes in it and can tell your coworkers when they ask. Plus, you’ll know you can at least eat what you brought.
A note on co-workers asking what’s in the dish, it might be because they have an allergy or an intolerance or because they think the dish is so fantastic they must have the recipe. Be flattered and be kind.
You might feel obligated to take something because your boss made it, even if you already know you loathe the dish. That’s ok. Find a way to make it at least look like you tasted it. If that means cutting it up into teensy, eensy bites or hiding it under something else, fine, just be discrete.
As for an out on the whole thing all together you can always claim you forgot about the carry in, already made lunch plans or ate a huge breakfast and are stuffed. Regardless of whether or not you choose to participate, just be polite. Accept others food comments and occasional criticisms as a reflection of them, not you. Some people just show love with food.
How do you navigate the Office Food trap?
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