Take 5 to Be a Pro at Work

In a recent Society for Human Resource Management survey (see this post), employers shared their largest concern: recent graduates’ professional skills were lacking. How can you be a pro at work? Take five and follow these tips to be a pro.

Be kind. Support staff in your office can make or break you. For example, our receptionist controls my calendar. If I’m rude to her, guess who might get the next challenging student on her schedule? Me! Want to know the office scoop? Support staff usually know what is going on better than anyone else in the office. Whenever I need a hand with a project, I turn to our receptionist. Be good to your support staff, and they can help you do your job.  

Be savvy with social media. Should you friend your supervisor on Facebook? Probably not—research the office culture to find out if this is acceptable at your workplace. And, if you are Facebook friends with co-workers in your office, avoid writing negative statuses about work; you don’t want to have “poster’s remorse.” Many of us use Facebook or other social media to do our work. If tweeting and updating statuses aren’t in your job description, avoid posting during work hours. Use LinkedIn to connect to your boss and other colleagues and share relevant updates about your work.

Be good to your boss. Keep your boss up to date on projects and share news that your supervisor should know. Find out what is important to your boss. When I first starting working for my supervisor, she told me she didn’t like surprises. I strive to copy her on emails and keep her in the know so she isn’t caught off guard. My husband always tells me to “be a problem solver, not a problem finder.” If your boss assigns you a project, and you discover it won’t work, research solutions so you can share them along with the bad news. Set up regular meetings with your boss; come prepared for these meetings with updates on your goals, questions you have and pen and paper to take notes.

Be social. As you are invited to work events, reply to invitations if requested; RSVP means that you should let the inviter know yes or no. For invitations with Regrets Only, you only need to let the host know if you are not attending. As you reply, be sure to thank the host for the invitation. As you attend work receptions, remember your goal is to meet people, not eat all the shrimp and drink all the free beer. Fill your plate (use a clean one!) and then move away from food tables. Introduce yourself to the host, and thank the host before you leave an event. Work on your introduction and handshake – get a friend to tell you if you need to improve them. Wear a nametag on your right shoulder so it’s easy to read as you meet people.

Be appreciative. When are the times at work when you need to say two critical words, Thank you? If your boss gives you a present, write a handwritten thank you note. If your supervisor supports your attendance at a training program, write a note of thanks upon your return.  When you receive a raise, convey your thanks to your superior. If someone goes out of their way to help you out at work, send a note of thanks. And, after interviewing for a new position, send your thanks in writing as well. Few people take the time to show their appreciation at work. You will make yourself stand out in the office if you do.

What questions do you have about being a pro at work? Share your questions with us.