Most people don’t lose jobs because they can’t do the work, they lose them because of how they show up.
Given the labour market shortage, some might think this post is irrelevant, given that many employers are desperate to hire people.
The main message of this post is that keeping a job is about focusing on your personal goals and growth. It aims to support people, especially those just entering the workforce, in learning how to make a positive difference at work and stand out for the right reasons.
If you are just starting out, changing jobs, re-entering the workforce, or know someone who is, please share this post with them. None of the points that follow are difficult, none of them will cost you anything more than just a little time, and all of them work.
Successfully keeping a job is the result of applying skills, attitudes, and behaviors that everyone can learn. The result is that you stand out for all of the right reasons.
Everything you do is a test. Appreciating this truth makes everything easier. For high school, college, or university students, the work ethic you demonstrate is all about helping or hurting yourself. Assignments, projects, and exams all help build your skills and your reputation or hurt them. This becomes even clearer once you start working. There are many factors outside your control; however, your determination to succeed and your reputation are things you control.
In my career as a leader, manager, and supervisor, I have seen this play out so many times. Two people start the same job at different times. The first person hired does the minimum expected, watches the clock, and never puts in any extra effort. The second person joins the organization later, but is always early, asks questions, volunteers, and treats every task, whether large or small, with the same enthusiasm and effort. Within a few months, the second one is trusted, given more responsibility, and is advancing in ways the first person doesn’t understand. The difference between people and their success is rarely talent. It’s how they show up.
Fortunately, through preparation, working when you are supposed to be working, diligence, and planning, you can succeed on these tests. Know that you will have doubts and setbacks. Everyone has anxiety in the beginning, everyone makes mistakes, and everyone learns to stand out. This is normal regardless of your age and experience. When you have doubts, give yourself a break and allow yourself to be new and less than perfect at something. Try hard, ask lots of questions, do your best, learn from everyone, and appreciate that failing is okay if you learn and improve.
How You Build Your Reputation
Always be building your reputation. Start on your first day and with even the simplest tasks. It is never too early or too late to begin. For students, participate in class, do your homework, review things you don’t understand, and ask for help. Regardless of the task, always dedicate yourself to doing the very best you can.
Everything you do is a test. As well, when working at any job, always appreciate how much those people around you depend on the organization to pay their bills; for you, it might be a temporary job – just one of many steps on your career path; for them, this is how they live.
Realize, appreciate, and understand that you are being watched. Always work as if your supervisor were standing behind you. All of you will remember times in school when your instructor left the room, and some students kept working, and others stopped. The amount of money that people typically earn in their careers is inversely proportional to the amount of supervision they require. People who can work with less supervision will be more successful than those who can’t be trusted.
How You Work With Others
Let people help you. Listen, accept, and thank them. When a co-worker offers to help, even if you might already know what they are going to say, be grateful and take the time to say thank you. Build mentoring relationships so that people will share important knowledge and life lessons. Too many people roll their eyes and don’t appreciate the help, so subsequently, no more help is offered. Remember, most people will try to help you when you are new, as it makes them feel good.
Learn about your coworkers and your organization. Be interested and ask questions about the people around you. Learn about what your organization does well and find opportunities to become integrated into the culture.
Practice humility. Beware of the dangers of arrogance, pride, and complacency. Avoid “win/lose” situations whenever possible and build relationships by appreciating the needs and perspectives of the people you are working with.
Try to be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. A person, even a quiet person, who can bring energy into a work environment, will go further than the person who constantly needs “to have their tires pumped up.”
Avoid pessimistic people. Stay away from people who gossip or are always complaining. When someone is complaining, the right solution is to talk to someone who can do something, whatever the issue is; unfortunately, many would just complain.
Use “Active” listening. Never be afraid to ask questions, listen to the answers, and reframe responses to ensure comprehension. Be conscious of your body language and your facial expressions. When someone is talking, stop what you are doing to focus on the speaker.
How You Show Up Daily
Be reliable. Reliability is one of the most important traits organizations look for in new people. When someone is late or doesn’t show up, everyone else is stressed, and they all must shoulder more of the load. Also, reliability includes arriving ten to fifteen minutes before the start time. Every successful person I have ever met is early; they are less stressed and more prepared.
Everything you do is a test. When you are at work, WORK. Everyone knows those people who constantly watch the clock. They’re the ones constantly checking social media when they are supposed to be working. Many of these same people in 10 years will complain that everyone who has been promoted ahead of them was just lucky, usually blind to why they weren’t promoted. Daily, ensure that you are always delivering value to your organization.
Never think any job is beneath you. Remember that everything is a test. When you are new, your supervisors and co-workers don’t know you or your reputation. Do each job well and then ask for more. Develop a reputation as a person who can handle everything and anything quickly and efficiently. Stand out in positive ways. Try to avoid phrases such as “I don’t get paid enough for …” or “that’s not my job” or “why should I do that, no one else is” or “no one appreciates the extra work I do.” Verbalizing these expressions does not help your reputation and will make you stand out for the wrong reasons.
Do the little things well. Always walk with purpose, avoid walking with your hands in your pockets, look interested, look and be productive, show initiative, and watch your body language.
Only use your cell phone during breaks. Everyone knows how useful cell phones are; however, when working, try to keep them off to eliminate distractions and as a measure of respect to your organization. This is particularly important for online meetings.
Emails are dangerous. Emails are a great way to share information; however, they only give the illusion of a two-way conversation. The danger is that emails never convey the tone, and their messages can easily be misinterpreted. Important conversations should happen in person or on camera if online. If you do use email, always proofread and be aware of “reply all” and the “email chain.”
Volunteer. Learning to stand out is a skill. Being noticed for the tasks and work you do is important. Volunteer to go first, whether in school or in a work situation; be the first person to put up their hand.
How You Think and Decide
Start each day the night before. Have a plan, make your lunch, prepare what you are going to wear, get a good night’s sleep, and make a list of what you want to accomplish.
Get up early, shower, and eat breakfast. People who are prepared are usually more relaxed and are better able to adapt and adjust to the realities of daily work. The importance of eating a good breakfast cannot be understated, as well. If food is an issue, like it is for 1 in 7 Canadians, know there is help available. Call or visit 211 online and ask about community meal programs and/or food banks. 211 is a free service available 24/7 that provides answers to almost any kind of question.
Learn from everyone. Listen, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to ask the same question more than once; keep asking until you understand. Participate in “company” and “community” events even when not expected. As a new person, these events are a great opportunity to network and stand out. Keep your eyes open, listen, and learn what people do well, what things to do, and what things not to do.
When faced with a decision, ask yourself, what are the facts? What are the alternatives? And then make the best decision you can in the time available. This process might take 30 minutes, or it might take 30 seconds; use the time you have to make the best decisions you can. Remember, you will make mistakes. The best thing is to make the right choice; the second best is the wrong choice. Being afraid or not making a decision is the worst choice because then you abdicate and let someone else choose for you.
Afterward, review and self-correct, no one expects you to be perfect, and you are going to make mistakes! After a decision, ask: What did I do right? What did I do wrong? What would I do differently next time?
Mistakes are expected. As mentioned, as a new person, you will make mistakes, and you might even fail. Everyone does, it’s part of learning. When you fail, remember the lesson and move forward. Few adults do things right the first time, expect that and learn from it. Watch a small child trying to learn to walk; they never give up. Too many adults forget that lesson. If they can’t do something well the first time, many simply give up because they have been conditioned by their life experiences not to be embarrassed or to look vulnerable. Unlearn that conditioning, keep trying until you get it!
Personal Standards That Set You Apart
Look sharper than everyone else. Always ensure your clothes are clean and always shower. Whether it is fair or not, people judge you within 5 seconds of meeting you.
Say “Thank you” a minimum of 25 times each day. As a sign of gratitude and respect, the power of consistently saying “Thank you” cannot be underestimated.
Make 3 people feel better about themselves each day. Become genuinely interested in people. Doing this exercise helps you to notice and be situationally aware of the people around you.
Upgrade your skills. This can be done simply by reading books, watching YouTube videos, or listening to podcasts or audiobooks. This is a great way to stand out because, according to motivational speaker Brian Tracy, fewer than 10% of adults upgrade their skills.
Final Thoughts
It is up to you. This is how it works. You are going to make mistakes. When you do, the world will not be over, even if you must start over. If you make a mistake, admit it, never try to hide it, and don’t be so worried about one mistake that you end up making more mistakes.
Help is available. One in four people this year will have a mental health experience. Stress, anxiety, and depression are real health issues. Use 211 to access the Kids’ Helpline. The helpline is available 24/7 and helps youth up to the age of 30. When you are struggling, you are not alone.
Plan. Decide what you would like for yourself at this point in your life. Your plan will change. Some people will help you, and some won’t. There are really no good and bad obstacles; they are all just opportunities. Make a plan, modify your plan as things change, and always try to stand out.
One more thing. No job is a life sentence. When it comes time to quit, try to have another job to go to if possible. Avoid “burning bridges,” if possible. Try to leave on good terms if you can. Don’t worry that you will be letting your employer down. This is a very common feeling, especially for new people in the workforce. Your employer will understand, especially if you have been a good associate. You will be nervous, but it is simply a part of doing business. Always try to give at least 2 weeks’ notice.
Everything you do is a test. If you approach your work this way, consistently and over time, you won’t just keep a job, you will become someone people trust, depend on, and want to keep.
I have been helped by some tremendous people throughout my career. To be able to pay back those people who took a chance on me, who mentored me, and who saw something in me worth saving and developing is the primary reason I started the blog, “Tools Everyone Can Use.” These lessons work if you apply them. If you have more examples or lessons to share, please add them to the comments.
Paul.