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The Tactics of Job Performance
By Ellen Corsi
This newsletter has covered topics that include interviewing skills and resume writing tips; however, we have not covered the topic of job performance, until now.
Landing the job you want can be a feat in itself. Keeping the job and hopefully being promoted to the next level or two is a totally different animal. Great job performance tactics take into account what is needed to exceed your employer's expectations and to work as a team player.
Your employer's expectations include more than completing certain tasks that are assigned to you. There are many nuances that come together to create the complete package of succeeding on the job. For example, coming to work a little early to get a jump on the work day is always a plus. Above average organizational skills are extremely important to maintaining a well kept office that is up-to-date with all of the tasks at hand that can be discussed at a moment's notice. Each task that has been completed should reflect a little more than what was asked for, which will show your employer that you have initiative and are interested in the work you are providing. Additional comments and suggestions to discuss with your employer at the right time, of course, will help to strengthen this reflection of your effort.
Prioritizing work is important as well. It showcases your ability to decipher multiple tasks and meet upcoming project deadlines with ease. Try to learn as much as you can about your job. It will make your work schedule easier and show that you are interested in expanding your knowledge about the company. Create your own list of goals that you would like to accomplish in your job, such as automating a process that could save hours of time to complete. Any process or idea that you create to make the company run more efficiently shows your employer that you are there for the long haul and want to make improvements that will be beneficial to everyone involved. As an added bonus, it also adds another aspect to your worth toward the company. Make a list of goals that you would like to accomplish and work to meet them. A goal that should be included is additional job training and management training that can prepare you for the next level.
Having a positive attitude is a tremendous asset. Being friendly on the job not only to your employer but toward your co-workers and customers will help you to get what you need from them to create a smooth work flow. Come into work with a smile and make eye contact with your co-workers. Take an interest in them and they will take an interest in you. However, avoid being pulled into office gossip. This is considered a distracting factor and demonstrates to those around you that you are not focused on the work at hand.
Ask your employer for more work. This shows that you have initiative and that you are a team player and will help others complete their tasks when needed. You are there to get the job done and to progress in your understanding of how the company works. The more you understand different aspects of the company, the more valuable you will be to them. When you offer to complete additional tasks you will stand out from your other co-workers and this will be a major factor in considering you for added responsibilities or promotion. If your employer happens to ask you to perform a task that is not considered to be aligned with your level of work, complete it with ease and efficiency. No task that you are asked to perform should be considered too unimportant for your ability level. The fact that you do it with a smile shows that you are a team player which helps the company succeed. Some of the best executives in business routinely perform tasks that are considered "beneath them" which demonstrates to the rest of the company that what is important is that the work gets done, whatever the task may be.
It is important as well to look the part by being dressed professionally and well-groomed. This will impress upon your employer and co-workers that you are serious about your job. Behaving in a professional manner at all times is critical to job performance and the possibility of promotion. This can be a pitfall for many people. It is easy to be pulled into office gossip and political situations that can be damaging to your company worth. Keep personal calls to an absolute minimum. This not only distracts you but is noticed by those around you. Avoid internet surfing and unnecessary e-mailing for the same reason. This type of behavior will not further your career and can create resentment among your co-workers.
These key tactics will help you to become a valuable member of your organization; one that has the ability to reach higher levels in your career. By keeping these basic ideas in mind, your work life will be more fulfilling and satisfying as you reach for your ultimate goals.
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