Your impressive credentials may not be enough.
Or your top education.
Or your hard-earned skills.
Or your amazing talent.
If you don’t fit the company culture or represent the company well, they may move in a different direction.
Whether you’re brand-new or experienced, there is always an opportunity to improve. These five steps show you how to improve your work environment, your communication skills and your perspective.
Here are five effective techniques to help you do just that:
1) Show you can organize
If you’re organized, your bosses will notice.
Every day, unorganized workers waste company hours. If you prove that you’re efficiently organized, it will show in your results.
More organization leads to better productivity. (And you may even get to leave early).
Next, think about your work area.
Is it too cluttered?
Too many papers?
Are your emails disorganized?
What about the folders on your computer?
Improving your organization will help you quickly respond to tasks.
2) Show you can use technology
Keep up with the latest apps and software to help you stay on the latest trends. This will also help you find ways for your company to improve its processes.
Maybe it’s learning some new skills to the software programs that you use all the time–like in Excel or Powerpoint. Maybe it’s as simple as figuring out some new shortcuts on your computer. Or maybe it’s finding new ways for your team to communicate and share tasks, such as with new project management software.
3) Show you can execute
Someone who can get things done with a strong work ethic is highly valued.
Know your limits when accepting work and know your bandwidth when asked to take on another responsibility or project. If your boss asks you to take on a project, ask if it takes priority over Project A, B, or C.
You’ll learn how the new work compares to the work you are already doing.
By showing your experience and expertise, leaders will view you more highly than someone stuck in the theoretical.
4) Show you can adapt
The technology field is rapidly growing and evolving every day, so it’s paramount that you quickly adjust to the modern workplace.
Adaptability is a crucial trait and you can show it in several ways.
New boss? Be open to their managerial style or be open to the way they communicate.
New coworker? Be open to learning new things from them.
New program at work? Volunteer for it. Show that you are eager to work if it may not be in your wheelhouse.
5) Show you can work together
Do you always have to be the loudest voice?
Can you handle criticism well?
Are you open to new ideas?
Developing those qualities will help you work more collaboratively, instead of dominating. One strategy to show you can work on a team is taking a backseat to the team lead. If you are usually the leader but know there is someone better suited to lead a project, hand it to them. As you and the team complete the project, be sure to learn from that person. You will become a more rounded team player.
Incorporate and remember these key techniques in your job, and you’ll be more professional at work.
