FOR PROFESSIONAL JOBS
Working your first job after college, or starting a paid internship while earning your degree? Congratulations! Your position will probably have more steps to follow than that part-time summer and weekend job you had in high school.
1. Sign up for all the benefits your new position offers, like health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits. If it’s your first time, talk to HR, which often has online resources like videos or may offer workshops for new employees.
2. Ask your parents for help, too. They’re probably familiar with new hire paperwork, onboarding processes, and tax forms.
3. Ask your parents for help, too. They’re probably familiar with new hire paperwork, onboarding processes, and tax forms.
WHEN IT’S TIME TO GO
Unless your job has a set ending (think: camp counselor or amusement park ride operator), always give two weeks’ notice when leaving a position. Give enough notice so your employer knows you respect their time. They’ll be more likely to serve as a reference for your next job — or your college application! Vincent said, “A letter from your employer is a big deal because fewer high school kids work. Adding an employer reference letter to your college admissions packet can be a big deal.”
The moral of this story? Try to avoid burning bridges. You never know when you might want or need to reconnect with a former employer.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE A GOOD EMPLOYEE
Organizations can’t function without their employees, and that’s why they look to hire people with qualities that make them good workers. So what can you do? Apply the skills you’ve developed as a student to this new environment and situation!
1. Follow company guidelines. All companies have an employee handbook. Take time to read it. Ask questions if you find something you don’t understand.
2. Work toward the company goals. If you’re a server, the goal may be to have happy diners who return. If you’re a sales associate, the goal is to increase the number (or amount) of sales. No matter your position or function, understand how the organization makes money.
3. Be respectful. Always treat everyone respectfully — your colleagues and managers, clients or customers, people who come into the building or call on the phone, vendors, and anyone else.
Autonomy: Before asking for help, try to find solutions on your own through researching online, brainstorming, and critical thinking. Manage your time more effectively to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines without constant supervision, using tools like calendars, to-do lists, or time-tracking apps.
Request or volunteer for projects or tasks that allow you to work independently and become an expert in your task. Set goals for yourself and track your progress. And if you see something that needs to be done, do it — don’t wait to be asked or told.
Why it matters: Developing autonomy is a great way to build self-reliance and independence. It’s also a highly valued skill in most workplaces.
Collaboration: This skill is the cornerstone of success in workplaces (and school). You can foster your collaboration abilities by actively listening to what your coworkers and managers say and asking clarifying questions to ensure you understand. Volunteer to help coworkers with tasks, even if they’re not your responsibility. Share credit for team successes and take responsibility for team failures. Be willing to compromise and find solutions that work for everyone.
Respect diverse perspectives — it’s important to recognize and value your coworkers’ different backgrounds, experiences, and opinions. Be open to learning from others and adapting your own approach. Learn what everyone’s roles are and how your role interacts with theirs, as knowing the team structure empowers you to collaborate more effectively.
Why it matters: Teams that collaborate effectively are more productive and efficient, can generate more creative and effective solutions, and have great value to their employers.
Communication: Active listening provides the foundation of good communication. Practice speaking clearly and articulating your thoughts effectively, avoiding jargon or slang that others might not understand. Also, practice writing clear, professional emails, memos, and other workplace communications, proofreading to prevent errors (keeping your audience in mind and tweaking your writing accordingly).
Pro tip: If texting is an acceptable way to communicate with your manager or fellow employees, keep it professional and appropriate. Avoid abbreviations or slang that not everyone might know.
Pay attention to nonverbal communication, like body language, eye contact, and facial expressions. Practice maintaining a positive, approachable demeanor. Be mindful of cultural differences in nonverbal communication, too. Learn to adapt your communication style to different audiences and situations. Finally, be proactive — don’t wait to be asked for information. Give updates about project or task status, and mention concerns you may have before they become problems.
Familiarize yourself with your company’s policies and procedures and follow them. Be scrupulous when handling money and other resources. Respect the confidentiality of sensitive information, and be mindful of what you say about your job on social media.
Why it matters: By consistently demonstrating honesty and integrity, you build a strong foundation for success in current and future endeavors.
Leadership: Leadership isn’t just about being “the boss,” but about demonstrating initiative and positively influencing those around you. Identify areas where you can contribute or improve processes, for example. Offer to help train and mentor new employees, especially if you’ve worked there for a while. Communicate clearly and effectively with everyone, and learn to give and receive constructive feedback.
When problems arise, don’t just complain. Look for (or suggest) solutions. Brainstorm ideas and present them to your manager. Lead by example, with a strong work ethic, punctuality, and positive attitude. Learn to manage your time effectively and prioritize tasks.
Why it matters: Employers in all industries value leadership skills because effective leaders create positive and productive team environments. Taking on leadership roles can build your confidence and self-esteem.
Organization: A part-time job is the perfect training ground for cultivating good organizational skills. Create a system that works for you to manage tasks, deadlines, and information. Learn to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, and if you’re unsure, ask! Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and create a timeline or schedule for completing each.
Establish daily, weekly, and monthly routines to create structure and consistency. Periodically review your systems to confirm they’re still working for you, tweaking as needed. Remember: organizational skills aren’t static — they require maintenance. If you’re working on a team, communicate your methods so everyone’s on the same page.
Keep accurate records of work-related information, whether on paper or virtually. Organize files and documents in a logical, accessible way, using consistent naming conventions for files and folders. Your manager may have specific requirements, so check with them first.
Why it matters: Organized people are more efficient and productive. Having a system also reduces stress and anxiety because you can manage your time more effectively and pay attention to the little details. Of all the skills on this list, organization might be one of the most valuable and transferable to have in your bag of tricks.
Proactive: We’ve talked about being proactive when describing some of the other qualities, but what does it really mean? In the working world, it refers to anticipating needs, taking initiative, and contributing beyond your assigned tasks. Pay attention to the workflow at your job, and identify potential bottlenecks or areas where you can offer assistance. If you see something that needs doing, don’t wait to be asked — just do it.
Seek opportunities to contribute and offer suggestions to make things easier, better, or more efficient. Learn new skills and seek out opportunities to get better at your job. Go the extra mile instead of doing the bare minimum. Communicate effectively, keeping your manager updated on projects or tasks, and always come to work prepared for your shift.
Why it matters: Employers see proactive employees as self-motivated and driven, and they trust employees who anticipate needs and take the initiative. Since many people tend to “phone it in,” being proactive sets you apart from the crowd.
Reliability: This skill is a cornerstone of all successful employees. Arrive on time and ready for every shift, consistently. Learn company policy about absences or requested time off, and tell your manager as far in advance as possible if you anticipate missing work or need some vacation time.
Complete tasks and projects by the agreed-upon deadlines, and if you anticipate a delay, tell your manager promptly. Follow through on commitments — do what you say you will do. If you make a promise, ensure you keep it, and avoid making commitments you can’t fulfill. Maintain a consistent level of performance and try to avoid fluctuating between periods of high and low productivity. Strive for consistency.
Why it matters: Employers trust reliable employees. Cultivating a reputation for reliability may increase job security, too. Showing up on time, doing your job, and doing it well are signs of professionalism.
Team player: Even if your job is primarily independent, teamwork remains important. Practice active listening, paying attention to what your teammates and managers say. Ask clarifying questions to confirm you understand their perspectives. Always communicate clearly and respectfully, and be open to receiving and giving constructive feedback. Do your part — and do it on time.
Volunteer to help teammates with tasks, even if they’re not your direct responsibility. Share credit for team successes and take responsibility for team failures. Be willing to compromise and find solutions that benefit the entire team. Recognize and value your teammates’ different backgrounds, experiences, and opinions. Avoid making assumptions or judgments based on stereotypes.
When faced with challenges, work with the whole team to brainstorm solutions. Encourage open discussion and value everyone’s input. Focus on finding solutions that benefit the entire team. Support and encourage your teammates, celebrating their successes and offering to help during difficult times. Contribute to creating a positive, supportive team and work environment.
Why it matters: Teams that collaborate effectively are more productive and efficient, generate more creative and effective solutions, and generally have higher job satisfaction.
Self-awareness: This quality refers to understanding your inner self, recognizing your emotions and their causes, evaluating your thought patterns, and honestly assessing your strengths and weaknesses. It involved identifying your core values and how they impact your choices, understanding how your behaviors affect others, and pinpointing your triggers to manage reactions.
Self-awareness is also a powerful tool for academic and work life. You can develop it by taking time to reflect on your daily interactions and performance, considering how others might perceive your words and actions. Ask yourself what you did well and what you could improve. Seek feedback from your manager and colleagues, be open to constructive criticism, and view it as an opportunity for growth.
Pay attention to how you communicate with others. Be aware of your tone, body language, and word choice. Adjust your communication style to be more effective and align with workplace expectations. Like to write? Keep a journal to record your experiences and reflections, which can help you be more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
Why it matters: Self-awareness helps you communicate more effectively, and understanding your own behavior leads to healthier relationships with coworkers and managers and with setting boundaries. It’s also a key component of emotional intelligence (the ability to understand and manage your emotions and recognize others’ emotions). Finally, self-awareness leads to continuous personal and professional growth, and knowing your strengths and weaknesses can help you choose a career that’s a good fit.