If you're like me and have never had a job before, then this post will be for you.
Just to point out that babysitting gigs and giving tuition don't count as jobs. Moving on...
Today, at work too many colleagues, and I really mean too many, kept telling me that they are really impressed by me and that they think "I'm super zai" (to borrow the words of one of my colleagues - zai in Singlish apparently means capable). One even told a boss and told her to request for me to come back after I finish with my training. ('_')
One colleague mentioned that instead of her taking care of me, I'm the one taking care of her. Another mentioned that I'm always so calm and so ready. One even said that if she were in my place, she'd be drowning.
I am truly humbled that they recognize my work ethic and my dedication but it got me thinking - what kind of impression do newbies in the workplace make? Is it really that hard to find hardworking newcomers?
The way I see it, the way you approach your work is how you approach your life. I've always been the type to take the problems that surface head on and deal with them. I don't usually complain (and if I do, you know that I've had enough bullcrap) and I don't usually try to wriggle my way out of things (sometimes I do, but usually for boring social commitments). And I rarely stress. I get irritated, I get pissed, I get overwhelmed, but I rarely get stressed.
With me when a problem or situation arises, I freak out for a second (or two haha), look at the problem, decide how to solve the problem and then draw out the game plan in my head (writing things down helps loads too).
I was also born to a workaholic father. So, I mean, really, I wasn't given much of a chance to begin with.
But anyways, I wanted to offer some helpful advice to people out there who got hit with the NEWBIE status.
1. Never complain. Firstly, it's irritating to others. Mostly it shows that you're ungrateful for the job that you have and that you are calculative. No one likes people that calculate EVERYTHING in life.
2. Give, give, give, give. That's all I've been doing. And I've been doing it without expecting to be able to take.
3. Learn everything you can from whoever you can. I learned this one the hard way. There was a point that I was seriously, honest to goodness, CLUELESS. I had no idea what was happening, I had no idea what I was supposed to do. I couldn't stand it anymore and I just decided that I would ask ANYONE. And ask anyone I did. I was pretty thick-skinned about it too. Anyone tried to be patronizing or condescending, I'd ignore and repeat the question. Think it sounds weird? It got me what I wanted so I don't think it's weird at all.
4. It's not a learning curve. It's a linear equation. With an incredibly STEEP AS HECK gradient. (And that, my friends, is all I remember of linear graphs and y = mx + b. I guess Math is kinda helpful in real life.) Day 1, I knew nothing. Two weeks in and I had to do a full functioning job without much training except for a 2-day crash course in a crowded room and tons of observation of a colleague. I learned on the job everyday. Still learning.
5. Make yourself known to your boss(es). This one I did quite late. But the important thing is not when they know you, it's that they do know you and that you've impressed them with something (asking questions, wanting to learn more, etc etc). I impressed a boss the other day by taking the initiative and asking for something. The boss wrote back about how impressed they were with my initiative and my enthusiasm. It's not kissing ass, it's just reminding them that I'm there too.
6. Smile at everyone. Especially the people that piss you off. Purely because when you smile at people that piss you off, you make them think that you like them. And when people think that someone else likes them, they try to pay more attention to you so that you can like them more. Sounds stupid? Well it worked. I managed to get people who pissed me off to praise me. Oh and for the people who don't seem to like you (yea, we all know which ones those are), smile at them anyways. It pisses them off to see the person they dislike smile at them. So you are being polite and irritating at the same time. DOUBLE SCORE.
That's all I seem to be able to think of for now. If I think of more, I'll post it up here :)
Peace lovelies.
Til the next post!
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