Job ... Smart TipsYou are now ... ... in your career field. Is it time to kick back and relax? Not if you want to stay ... With the days of “fire at will” and upsizing and
Job Retention Smart Tips You are now successfully established in your career field. Is it time to kick back and relax? Not if you want to stay employed. With the days of “fire at will” and upsizing and downsizing, knowing what it takes to stay successfully employed is an essential job survival skill. Listening qWhen you are not sure about something that is said or done, be sure to ask for clarification. qDon’t do all the talking. Strive for 60-70% listening, 30-40% talking while on the job. qDon’t interrupt. Allow adequate time for the person to answer or ask a question. qKeep your emotions in check. An angry person does not listen well. qTake time to tune in, reflect back, and ask questions of the other person. qMaintain good eye contact and an open-mind. qTry being a counselor for a day. Let a friend or co-worker talk out a problem and listen without judgment or giving advice.
Relating qEstablish positive relationships with your boss, know his or her strengths/weaknesses, and preferred communication style (in person or in writing). qFind a mentor to look up to. qValue diversity and learn from others. qAccept constructive criticism and learn from mistakes. qSurround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. qAvoid getting caught up in office gossip and politicking.
Writing qBe brief and to the point in all your business correspondence. qIntroduce one thought per paragraph. qRead books and magazines in your career field to see what is being researched and written about. qUse an active rather than passive voice. qOrganize your thoughts with an outline before you begin writing. qConsider how your message will affect your readers. qKeep your messages concise and avoid sending emotionally-charged messages.
Speaking qSpeak confidently and directly. qIf asked to give a presentation, rehearse your material and use visual aids to support your ideas. qMaintain good eye contact and body language with your audience. qDon’t preach or try to convince people of your beliefs. Simply state them with conviction and confidence. qWhenever possible, ask a lot of questions. qUse paraphrasing (restating what the person has said). qGive speeches, this will show you how to effectively organize and deliver your message.
Working qLearn something new every day. qAsk questions about your job. qLook for ways you “can do” it. qProvide solutions and suggestions, not problems and complaints. qConstantly re-invent yourself. qChoose a goal, then walk like, walk like, look like, think like, act like and be like it.
A word about the use of e-mail. E-mail is a faster medium than conventional pen and paper. It produces an instant message. It also is a disposable communication---people usually delete it after reading it. Therefore, if you have something important to say, and/or want the message to last, then you should write it the old-fashioned way (memo or letter).
Michelle L. Casto, M.Ed is a WHole Life Coach, Speaker, and Author of the Get Smart! LearningBook Series. She can be reached at http://www.getsmartseries.com and http://www.brightlightcoach.com
