Congratulations! Now that you have the job … keep it!

“People with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn often make the best
employees, even if they don’t have specific experience for the job. And, in
the restaurant business, you must enjoy making people happy and have a
high energy level.” ~ T.G.I. Fridays

The hard work is not over. Once you have accepted the job, your real work begins. It
wasn’t easy getting the job. Now, you need to figure out how to stay in the job. Doing
the work is only part of it. There are other things that will also influence your success
with the company.

It is important to note that longevity in a job demonstrates commitment, loyalty, and
achievement – all qualities that future employers will value. Whether you’re being
evaluated for a promotion in your current company or for a better position at a new
company, your ability to succeed in your present environment will help you.

Below are some important things to help you keep your job, and grow
within it.

Attendance
Arrive on time, every day. Return from lunch promptly, every day. Show up for
your meetings on time, every time. This type of punctuality demonstrates respect for
others and their time.

Many companies document attendance. In some states, poor attendance and chronic
lateness are grounds for termination. This type of behavior indicates to the employer
that you do not value your position or the job that you do for the company. To
some, it signals that you cannot be trusted. You will not be given the opportunity for
advancement.

Dependability
Follow through. If you’ve been given an assignment, do it. Carry a notebook and
take notes when you’re given instructions. Make sure you ask questions when you’re
confused. It takes less time to do the project right the first time than to do it twice.
If it looks like you can’t meet a specific deadline, tell your supervisor as soon as possible.
Other people may be depending on your work.

In today’s customer service-oriented economy, dependability is key. We must always
respond to our customers and co-workers in a professional way in order to keep our
company efficient. This is an important issue if you care to grow in the company. If
your manager can depend on you to get your work done in a timely manner, he/she
is more likely to help you grow your career.

Knowledge
Find ways to expand your knowledge of the company. Ask to attend training
sessions. On your own time, read company manuals. Network with company
professionals within and outside your department. The more you know about how
the company works, the more you can contribute to its success.

Many companies will offer tuition reimbursement programs. Seek out courses at
your local community college that will help you in your job. If you’re in a bookkeeping
position, ask if the company will reimburse you if you take more complex
accounting classes. This type of development will help your company, and they are
more likely to pay for it.

Demonstrate Commitment
Those who take on new projects, get more responsibility and, ultimately, more
reward. Sometimes, you need to ask your supervisor for more work. He/she may not
realize that you’re capable of doing more. Don’t wait for your supervisor to give you
work. Be proactive and ask for it.

Make sure that you are completing your existing projects successfully. Your
supervisor will not be inclined to give you more work if you’re not getting your
current job done accurately. Look for ways to add value. If you see a way to save
money or time in a specific task, tell your supervisor. This type of behavior will show
your boss your interest in making your company successful.

Problem-solvers
Instead of telling your supervisor about a problem, tell him/her about a solution.
Whenever you uncover a problem or face a difficult solution, figure out the solution
on your own. If it’s a big problem, you may want to discuss the solution first before
acting on it. But, regardless, your supervisor will appreciate the thought you put into
turning a wrong into a right.

Companies want to hire problem-solvers. Everyday a manager is faced with a
complication of some kind with a customer, an employee, or a product. Your ability
to help solve these problems and avoid them in the future will help your company
grow, and will help your career.

Responsibility and Ownership
When you’re given a project, make it your own. You were hired for your unique
experience. Draw on that experience to complete your work. If you’re hired to
handle customer service complaints, use your personal manners to help your
customers feel more at ease. If you’re given a book-keeping project, think of it as
being your own money. You would save as much of your own money as possible.
Your company deserves that respect, too.

Sometimes you need to discuss your plans for completing a project with your
supervisor before carrying it out. Your supervisor will appreciate the thought you
put into the project, and will be more willing to help you if problems arise. Your
work will be valued much more if you demonstrate ownership of it.

When you make a mistake, and you know you will, accept it. Don’t blame others.
Also, try to fix the problem. This goes along with being a problem-solver. Ultimately,
it will be your solution that is remembered, not the mistake that you made.

“As a member of the temporary industrial staffing industry, we realize the
importance of a good attitude as a major component of an employee.
The employee we send to a customer is our best form of advertising and
their attitude will determine our relationship with that customer.”
~ Labor Finders

Mentors
Look for people to give you guidance. In everything that we do, there are always
times we seek advice from others. Generally, people want to help. Look for people
who have been successful in their jobs and ask them for advice when making hard
decisions about your career. If you work on a construction site and your foreman
has been with the company for a while, talk to him about how to get onto other jobsites.
You may ask him if you can help him with his work when your shift is over.
Sometimes, just “shadowing” a boss or supervisor in his/her job can help you learn
more about your own.

Customer Service
In any job, you have several customers. Those that buy the company’s product
are the most obvious. Other people within your organization are customers too
– people that depend on your work. Do your best to make sure that your coworkers
can easily get their jobs done. If you respect the work of others, the job gets done
quicker, the customer is happier, the business grows, and your position improves.

Most jobs in today’s economy are in customer service. Whether you work as a waitress
in a restaurant or in sales for a telecommunications firm, you are working with
customers. Learning how to work with others is key to success in these types of
positions. As an employee, you are a representative of your company. As that company’s
“ambassador,” your behavior is watched carefully by your customers. If you
treat them badly, then they will assume that the company is at fault. As a result, you
will lose their business. Most people will tell at least ten people about an unpleasant
circumstance with a business. Your customer service attitude can make a big difference
in your company’s profitability.

Attitude
Perhaps the most important factor is a positive attitude towards your employer and
your responsibilities. Enthusiasm is contagious. Whenever people are enthusiastic
about their job, they inevitably do it better – or, at least, that’s the perception.
Customers respond to a positive person, will conduct repeat business with people
they like, and will recommend businesses that they like. A simple smile will go a
long way in making an unhappy customer happy again.

Company “fit” is important. As you learn about your job requirements, take the
time to also learn about your company culture. Notice how things get done in your
company. Get to know your co-workers. Your attitude towards your peers is also
very important.

In every job, there are responsibilities and/or coworkers that you won’t like. Your
ability to accept those negatives and still thrive and deliver quality work to your
employer is valued and appreciated. It will be considered above all else when it’s time
for a raise or promotion.

Career Development
For your development and to further your career with any company remain humble
in the face of your success being mindful of changes within any business climate.
It is critical to convey the importance of striving to reach the next level of personal
performance without ever assuming you have arrived. Our strengths remain closely
tied to a desire to grow beyond our current success while embracing a commitment
of continued learning and self improvement. Keeping this as a mindset will do a great
deal to secure your future and separate yourself from the ordinary.

When you’re on the job, remember the following items to help move you to success!

1) Show up every day on time
2) Be dependable
3) Ask questions when you need help
4) Ask for more work when you’ve successfully completed your tasks
5) Look for ways to add value
6) Look for opportunities to learn
7) Be a problem solver
8) Admit responsibility when you make a mistake
9) Look for mentors to help you grow
10) Provide excellent customer service to both your customers and your co-workers
11) Have a good attitude and get along with your co-workers

Good luck in your job search and don’t forget to pick up your weekly copy of The
Employment Guide®. You can also check our website for jobs and job-search information,
www.EmploymentGuide.com