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How to be good at a job

37 replies

Lemonnhoney · 05/09/2023 20:34

What's everyone's best advice to be really good at a job.

I know there's obviously job specific things! But what are the things which you've done or seen people do that makes you think, they know what they're doing!

I'm lacking confidence after not working for 4 years and only really working part time hospitality while young. I've just got a new job and I want to please people but don't really feel confident in my skills or have much initiative!

OP posts:
CyberCritical · 05/09/2023 20:37

Listen to the people who know what they're talking about, learn from them.

Question things, remember your Who, What, Where, When, Why and How's and make sure you take the time to understand why you are doing something rather than just taking things at face value or blindly following the steps given.

BettyBoomer · 05/09/2023 20:37

Care! if you can show that you care, that is most important. Go that extra mile.

mynameiscalypso · 05/09/2023 20:40

Write notes! Write notes in meetings (by hand preferably), when you have a conversation with your boss when they ask you to do something, when you need to write a to do list. I am constantly amazed by the number of people who turn up to meetings without anything to take notes with and I judge them for it.

ReadRum · 05/09/2023 20:42

Be punctual always
Listen
Ask questions
Have a very small ego
Do things cheerfully
Recognise other’s’ contributions
Don’t get involved in gossip until you figure out the dynamics and relationships
Say nice things about people behind their backs

WinterFireJanuaryEmbers · 05/09/2023 20:43

Agree with notes

Write notes about every meeting you go to. There will be things you learn that you will want to remember for the future.

Especially important to keep good notes on actions you have been tasked with.

booksandbeans · 05/09/2023 20:44

Do things well- e.g. if you are hanging a picture on the wall it will be straight & at the right height. Sloppy work gets noticed as it often has to be redone.

AzureBlue99 · 05/09/2023 20:45

Don't gossip. Don't mistake colleagues for friends. I know you asked how to be good at a job, my advice is how to be good at work.

MarvellousTimeRuiningEverything · 05/09/2023 20:45

AzureBlue99 · 05/09/2023 20:45

Don't gossip. Don't mistake colleagues for friends. I know you asked how to be good at a job, my advice is how to be good at work.

THIS!!!!!!

MarvellousTimeRuiningEverything · 05/09/2023 20:48

Manage upwards. Always try to have a response or feedback or an update on a project before your boss has to chase you. Join the dots - try and learn why X has an impact on X. Don't gossip, don't reveal so much about yourself that you can't walk back from it. If having an online meeting, look engaged!

BitOutOfPractice · 05/09/2023 20:51

Communicate. Do things when you say you will. Be polite and respectful to everyone, no matter how junior.

UniversalTruth · 05/09/2023 20:52

Be nice to people less well paid than you.

If you need a reason other than civility, they might not hold the key to your next career move but they might hold the key to the stationery cupboard.

RosaKim · 05/09/2023 20:54

My number one tip - follow instructions

trulyunruly01 · 05/09/2023 20:54

Don't over share in the early days. Remember these are colleagues. Develop your contacts slowly and surely.

Always dress as if you might be asked to step up a grade in an emergency.

Take training seriously. Get your online training done and dusted. Do your own research. Don't be afraid to invest in yourself and quietly do some training off your own back. The biggest promotion I ever had was achieved because I'd self funded a course that put me on a par with my manager without telling anyone.

If someone says 'we need help in x department' and you have the time then go and learn what happens in x department.

melmos · 05/09/2023 20:55

Congratulations! I'm by no where near perfect but a couple of house keeping bits if you are new to a work place and an office environment

Arrive early and leave late making sure you are and underestimate your breaks. So nine to five, arrive for 8.30 coffee loo starting working 8.50, 12.35 - 13.25 for lunch and then leave at 17.10. Making sure you have written tomorrow's to do list. This means if you are looking to do Flexi time or need to leave early once you've passed your probation they'll see it as a genuine request not trying to skive.

What makes you nervous? Typing emails, meeting and greeting, excel, small talk? Practice online or with your family. General chit chat, how was the weather did you have a good evening? Goes a long way and remember if asked be positive but not too detailed. I role played meetings!

Make sure you have prepared the night before and washed and cleaned in appropriate clothing and not too much make up. Eat breakfast if your tummy grumbles. I always brought spare tights powder mints tooth picks and perfume. This helped my confidence.

Make sure to ask someone if you don't know. Be positive when asked to do something, then go away and properly scope out the task and then go to your line manager with a list of questions.

Always have questions for meetings.

Be helpful but don't offer to do stuff that stereotype you (minute taking is a helpful skill, organising birthday cards isn't).

Don't apologise, thank people for their advice.

Take notes as pp say

I am by no means a 300k mnetter but I went from a unsociable grad, to office admin assistant and I am now well (ish!) respected as a manager and sme in technical area.

Good luck and you can do this xxxx

GCSister · 05/09/2023 20:57

mynameiscalypso · 05/09/2023 20:40

Write notes! Write notes in meetings (by hand preferably), when you have a conversation with your boss when they ask you to do something, when you need to write a to do list. I am constantly amazed by the number of people who turn up to meetings without anything to take notes with and I judge them for it.

This!
My boss told me that what gives him the confidence that I will get things done is the fact I write everything down!

He knows if it's in my little book it will get done!

My biggest tip is to never underestimate the power of relationships and being personable and nice.

GCSister · 05/09/2023 21:01

Join the dots - try and learn why X has an impact on X.

Absolutely, understanding the bigger picture mean you understand where you fit in and the importance of other peoples roles.

I've known too many people dismiss other people's jobs just because they don't know how they fit in or why it's important.

BettyBoomer · 05/09/2023 21:01

CyberCritical · 05/09/2023 20:37

Listen to the people who know what they're talking about, learn from them.

Question things, remember your Who, What, Where, When, Why and How's and make sure you take the time to understand why you are doing something rather than just taking things at face value or blindly following the steps given.

Yy to the “not blindly following instructions”. So think critically. Ask yourself “does this make senses.”. “What is the outcome required”.

SomethingFun · 05/09/2023 21:04

Write things down.
Do the things you say you will do.
Be friendly and helpful.
Give other people positive feedback - if there’s some work system use it! People love positive feedback but hardly anyone gives it.
Ask for help. People like to show they know stuff and help people. Be mindful you are not asking for the same help over and over as they won’t be so keen to help you then. Writing things down will help you with this.
Relax and enjoy selling your labour 😁 Good luck op

devildeepbluesea · 05/09/2023 21:04

@ReadRum totally agree with recognising other’s contributions.

I head up a couple of teams in the civil service and regularly get praised for others’ work in meetings. I always make sure I let people know who’s really responsible. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.

BettyBoomer · 05/09/2023 21:05

Also, communicate. If X cant get done because someone asked you to do Y, then tell the person who delegated X to you that it is taking longer than expected because you’ve been asked to do Y. Or, ask boss of X and boss of Y which should take priority. Just communicate. Don’t let things build up so that you look incompetent when actually you aren’t.

Be friendly and polite at all times.

And if unsure on what you have to do, repeat back the task asked and ask if you have understood correctly,

ask for deadlines if none are given so you can prioritise work.

HermioneWeasley · 05/09/2023 21:06

Do what you say you will

user1471453601 · 05/09/2023 21:09

As a manager (now retired) I always said I could show most people how to do something, but I could never show them how to be enthusiastic about doing it. And enthusiasm took people who worked for me along way.

Lemonnhoney · 05/09/2023 21:13

'Relax and enjoy selling your labour'

This made me smile and actually take a relaxed moment whilst I've been caught up in nerves 😆

OP posts:
Toseland · 05/09/2023 21:13

Listen very carefully.
If you have capacity deliver slightly more than asked for.
Uplift your team.
Always have something to contribute.
Be a decent person.

Lemonnhoney · 05/09/2023 21:15

Some amazing advice on here!

I'll take note of it all and do my best 😁

Thanks everyone!

OP posts: