Keeping the Job

Getting a job and keeping a job are two different things and your employer expects certain behaviours.

Here are some job keeping tips:

Be punctual:

• Missing too many workdays is a sign to your employer that you either don’t like the job, that you’re not responsible or that you’re not capable of handling the job
• If you can’t come in to work, phone first thing in the morning to let your employer know

Do the job you are being paid to do:

• Don’t let your social life creep into your work hours. Make your personal phone calls at lunch or during your breaks

Dress correctly:

• Working in a fashion store means you’ll likely dress much differently than you would if you were working in a factory or an office
• Take a tip from your co-workers. See how they dress.

Accept responsibility:

• Understand what your employer wants from you
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions when you don’t understand or aren’t sure about what you are doing

Show your interest:

• Look for ways to improve the work you’re doing by talking with your boss and your co-workers

Learn to take criticism:

• When your employer or co-workers comment to you that you could do a job better or faster, recognize such suggestions as a way to improve your performance

Keep in mind:

• Make the most of your job. Each job teaches you something – if you let it.
• Even the job you really don’t like offers you something. It lets you know on your next job search, which jobs you won’t want to do

Make time for the people as well as the task:

• Doing a good job and developing good relationships with others at work are both important

Be sensitive to your place within the hierarchy:

• Although you may often see an easier or better way to do something, your employer will become frustrated if you appear more concerned with changing things than with learning how and why things are as they are. Focus on improving things after you fully understand them.

Be sensitive to processes:

• What may seem slow or inefficient might serve a valuable purpose that is not initially apparent
• The ideas you have may not be as important as the way you present them
• Learn proper timing through observing others who are effective in the workplace
• Keep the right attitude and perspective
• Being the newest, youngest, and least experienced will probably mean you will be asked to do projects and take responsibilities that may be below your abilities, or may not correspond to your interest
• Try to treat each assignment as a learning experience and keep your ego out of the job