It is hard starting out in the workplace. Whether it is a random job or assuming a position in the chosen profession that you have studied long and hard to get credentials in. The most difficult aspect is the difference between what you deem as ideal as opposed to what is real.
The key point is the absence of ‘fair.’ You might be very good at what you do but never receive the due reward. Get overlooked for higher positions. As well as deserved acclaim. Have a boss that just has it in for you for no reason at all. Or work in a workplace that is full of toxic people that always have you on edge. Work like a Trojan but always are taken advantage of. While others are seemingly always lollygagging and ducking off for impromptu smokes breaks. All who are on better terms and conditions than you.
Welcome to the workforce!
Not all, some are actually quite good, and often brilliant.
I work as a senior teacher in charge of integrating new teachers into the profession by mentoring in many regards. This represents both professional and emotional support.
Here are a few pointers I offer;
1. Know your place
Many young people starting out go gung-ho into a profession full of ideas about how to reinvent the wheel. This is admirable on many levels for every profession needs to evolve. A point achieved by younger people with more pragmatic and new age mindsets being able to compliment the more traditional views.
The rub is a lot of professions have people who have been involved in them for a long time. Who have traditional approaches to the job and are respected for their professionalism and ability to do their job very well. They are welcoming and supportive of newcomers.
This can be skewed and fractured if you come in challenging their beliefs by assuming you know better than they do.
2. Respect is earnt, never given
You might be dux in your university course and combined with the best references to your character and intelligence.
This mean zero, in fact, less than zero
You start anew, and words spoken in your favour or black and white print on a page are irrelevant.
In fact, they often go against you due to some seeing you as a potential threat to their position. This can lead to some being obstructionist.
Do you best to have your head down and bum up by working hard. Always pay homage to all the finer details and never take anything for granted.
These actions will eventually lead to respect.
3. Always follow through
In most workplaces, you rely on others to do their job adequately. This often does not happen.
Never accept when you have someone say that they have done something you are relying on to get done. Make sure it is not only completed, but done so in a manner you deem as adhering to and hopefully exceeding acceptable standards.
If you assume it is done and it isn’t. It might represent a domino chain that comes crashing down on you. You have no right of reply during the fall out for your boss will hold you accountable. If you try to point the finger at others it will do you no favours. In fact, reflect on you very badly.
4. Leave your personal feelings at the door.
You can be having a shitful time in life where you are ripped up inside. Once you enter the workplace you cannot show this.
If you think you are not up to work due to your emotional state. Take the emotional leave on offer to you.
Few will care if you let emotions compromise your ability to do your job. And some might have it as a black mark against your name.
5. Never involve yourself in ‘Monday gossip sessions’
In every workplace, gossip is vibrant and often rampant. Who is with whom or who wants to be with whom? Who is an ass at their job? Who is doing something dodgy? Who is actually a closet axe-murderer?
I have heard it all and more.
The aside if you involve yourself is how it takes the form of ‘Chinese Whispers’ which culminates in you being viewed as the workplace gossip. Who is spreading rumours about your boss supposedly making unwanted advances towards the Special Education teacher et al........
OUCH!
6. Separate home life from work life
Always be polite to all along with friendly. In doing this keep a distinct line between your home and work life. If someone asks you questions as long as it is not too personal answer it. The bottom line is being very private and never sprout about this and that in your personal life.
Only do so, if you have a workmate that has proven to you that they are worthy of trust from you over the long run.
7. Avoid gestures and compliments
This is particularly pertinent for males in the workplace. I remember when I was first starting in teaching I was friendly to all, in retrospect too friendly. I remember paying a compliment to a female teacher about how her new hairstyle really suited her. It was completely innocent for I was happily married at the time with a young daughter and one on the way.
It still came back to bite me for the lady complained about it. My mentor backed me to the hilt and the innocent nature of the gesture. In doing so, she looked me dead in the eye and told me very clearly how ill-advised even the most innocent of gestures are.
That was the early 1990’s. It is an absolute minefield now for both women and men.
8. Avoid flings and romances
Finding Mr or Mrs Right is very hard which often leads many to entertaining thoughts of finding them in the workplace. This can have a Disney type ending. The greater reality is it can mess you up big time. When your advances are rejected leading to tension or gossip about you. The other aspect is if you have a fling or relationship and it ends on bad terms. You still have to see the person and work with them each day. This is never ideal.
9. If you mess up, always own up to your mistake and accept responsibility.
When you are starting out you will make mistakes often some absolute howlers.
This is accepted and understood by bosses. The key is how you learn from them and do not revisit the same gaffs. If you do it will go against you.
The other side of the coin is if you mess up and then try to cover up. This never ends well and in extreme cases can cost you your job.
10. Your boss always has something up their sleeve.
You might be due for an evaluation. Or be applying for a higher position within the profession.
Always be prepared for an unexpected curve ball during either process. One that your boss has been holding back for the ideal moment to either make you really prove your credentials. Or to knock you down a few pegs and put you in your place.
You might think you are the ever cunning fox, but your boss is often the fox’s tail.
11. The importance of debriefing
Your job could be the quintessential definition of a ‘head fuck’
Once you leave it for the day. Do not take your frustrations home and let it affect your personal life. Find a way to vent the frustrations.
I used to leave work when I was still married and go boxing. Punch the holy hell out of the heavy bag.
Then go home and enjoy my personal life.
What Girls & Guys Said
Opinion
1Opinion
Well written, easy to follow.
Things/ideas I don't agree with:
-".. While others are seemingly always lollygagging and ducking off for impromptu smokes breaks. All who are on better terms and conditions than you.."
If "everybody" else was slacking and you were the only one to do some work, there would be little to no progress.
"Know your place"
Has a negative connotation to it. More accurately, know your rights and responsibilities as an employee.
"Do you best to have your head down and bum up by working hard. Always pay homage to all the finer details and never take anything for granted. "
Do your best to fill the requirements in your contract. No more, no less.
"Never accept when you have someone say that they have done something you are relying on to get done. Make sure it is not only completed, but done so in a manner you deem as adhering to and hopefully exceeding acceptable standards. "
If it's relevant to you, sure. If not part of your responsibilities, you won't have to worry.
"It is an absolute minefield now for both women and men."
According to your example, one might think it's tough only for the men.
"Your boss always has something up their sleeve."
Yes, and what's your point? Live in fear? Your boss is a worker like everyone else. You're speaking as if it's some kind of teenager's struggle between colleagues. I can't agree with that.
Things I do agree with:
"Leave your personal feelings at the door."
Of course, but it doesn't apply only to you.
"The other side of the coin is if you mess up and then try to cover up. This never ends well and in extreme cases can cost you your job."
It's some kind of fear nowadays among people of not being Perfect. It's ridiculous. Mistakes are most easily corrected when one tells about it immediately to someone who's more experienced. Personal feelings are left at the door, remember?
I get the feeling we have had very different experiences at work. Must be a different culture space.
Thank you for the reply.
I think key in our differences is our age difference. You are 28 meaning your work life started at the start of this decade. Mine started in the 90's. In terms of workplace relations and terms and conditions, this is like night to day.
Our attitudes are formed due to this.
A fair observation.
Also, wanted to elaborate on "Never accept when you have someone say that they have done something you are relying on to get done." Checking up on them is fine, telling them to get on with it, good too, but don't get too involved and (accidentally) start doing their work.
Example: I write analysis based on customer data. It is the task of the data quality inspection to ensure that I receive "useful" data. I won't go over to their department to tell them how they need to do their job.
It goes like this. In writing what i did I see through the eyes of a teacher. Where 30 kids are my direct responsibility. As well as many others that I am inadvertently responsible for. if for example;
There is a problem child that relies on medication. A role entrusted on another and this is not done. How does this possibly impact on not only my day but also the other children?
In answering this, would you ensure this is done?
Another point, you claim my point about bosses having something up their sleeve as 'fear'. i see it as seeing the big picture. In regard to when you have evaluations or go for advanced roles you always need to cover every possibility. One consistent in this is a question (s) that put you on the spot
Great take.
thank you