Become
a valuable employee
Want to become the employee your boss would like to have
around? Here’s help
HAVE you wondered why some of your colleagues are always
sought after by your common boss? For a moment forget about
bosses’ bias, let’s talk about an ideal boss who
does not cloud his personal likes come in the way of work.
Even such bosses look out for that particular person who
can get his work done. Know why? It has nothing to do with
prejudice. It is just that this person is reliable and the
boss knows that he can get the work done by this person.
Feeling envy? Don’t worry, you can also become that
person and become a valuable person at your company. There
are certain things you can do and shouldn’t do to become
that valuable person at work. Here’s some help for
you.
Show
up on time
This
is so simple to do and almost no one does it. You’ll
note, however, that the successful people are almost always
early. This is part of what contributes to their success.
You know ‘early bird gets the worm?’
Keep
busy
Don’t
stop working, if you run out of projects to do, try to go
above and beyond and help out others, ask to be trained
on other parts of your job (if applicable). Don’t slow
down, remember, a busy employee creates a higher profit
than a lazy employee.
Stand
out
Let
your boss know who you are. Take an interest in what your
boss has to say. May be offer suggestions that might improve
things at work. Discuss your home life (to an extent, example:
favourite hobbies, movies etc).
Don’t bring up anything too personal, there’s
some things that should be left out, but just try and be
friendly.
Be exceptionally productive
This
doesn’t necessarily mean working longer hours. It’s
more important to find a task or role you can handle that
goes beyond your job description. Here again, skills are
important because they are the key to productivity.
Be pleasant
Back-stabbing
may seem like a way to get ahead, but it can hurt you in
the long run. Abrasiveness may make you stand out, but for
the wrong reasons. If you really can’t get along with
some people in your work group, try to get transferred to
one where you’ll fit in better.
Be character-driven
Character
is the virtue of knowing right from wrong, turning from
the wrong and doing what is right, even in the face of pressures
and temptations. It is being honest and upright in everything
you do. Sadly, good character is rapidly disappearing. Even
the most cursory look at society makes this plain.
Put yourself in the place of an employer. As an employee,
you represent a company. How you conduct and present yourself,
interact with customers and fellow employees, and the quality
of your work reflects directly on it.
If you had to choose between an employee who was upstanding,
trustworthy, honest and truthful in his dealings with others,
one who goes above and beyond, and does excellent work –
and one who lacks these qualities – which would you
keep on the payroll? The answer is obvious.
Be multi-skilled
There
was an instructor who used to advice his students to ‘always
increase the value of the real estate’. He was not
talking about land, property homes or buildings, but about
the value of each individual as an employee.
As with a house when it is remodelled, its value and worth
increases. So, too, will your value to an employer as you
improve and upgrade yourself. This can be done in a variety
of ways.
Be positive
at work to get easily promoted
From Page 1
ENHANCE
and improve the skills you already have. Strive to be the
very best at what you do. Broaden the areas of different
tasks you can perform. Have more than one skill set.
For example, the automotive technician who can repair anything
on a car from bumper to bumper has more value than one who
can do only routine maintenance tasks. Likewise, the carpenter
who cannot only do rough framing, but also siding and roofing;
and instal windows and doors, stands a better chance of
holding on to his job when others with only one specialisation
are laid off.
The more you can do, the greater value you have to an employer;
and the more job opportunities that will be open to you.
Be reliable
Nothing
aggravates an employer more than a worker who does not carry
out instructions. As a result, a company misses crucial
deadlines, makes mistakes and produces faulty products,
which result in unhappy customers. All of this, because
the worker either did not pay attention to instructions
or did not care enough to carry them out.
Rare is the person who waits and listens, then carries out
directives. But you can eliminate mistakes and prevent accidents
by listening to instructions. It also shows respect
for your superior, which will not go unnoticed. Your
manager will see that you patiently listen without
interrupting, which will assure him that you take your duties
seriously and can handle further responsibility.
Be positive
On the
job, individuals with positive attitudes are usually well-liked
by their co-workers, who find them easy to get along with.
Why? No one wants to be around someone who is unhappy. Pessimism
and negativity breed more of the same. Cheerful attitudes
are ‘contagious’.
They have a positive effect on the workplace. Similar to
everyday life, things can go wrong at work. Problems need
solutions. Employers want workers who are able to identify
problems and devise and implement solutions.
Be responsible
In the
past, craftsmen used to take great pride in their work,
pouring hours into everything they did. Now, many employees
barely do enough to earn a paycheque, which is reflected
in the lack of quality in the goods and services produced
today.
If you want to become a more valuable employee, understand
your particular job responsibilities and attempt to go above
and beyond what is required. When things go wrong, most
people blame others. Yet a responsible employee is not afraid
to admit his mistakes. An employer appreciates such honesty.
Be proactive
There
are two types of employees – those who wait to be told
what to do and those who take initiative in finding innovative
ways to be productive for the benefit of their employer.
Managers notice a self-motivated worker and will seek him
out for advancement. There is an old saying: ‘If you
want it done, give it to a busy person’.
Those who productively use their time are more likely to
be given increased responsibility, even a promotion.
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