How to be good at a job

[Lemonnhoney]

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!

Don't gossip. Keep a journal if you need an outlet. Or if you must gossip make it positive.

Be neutral and friendly to everyone until you know who the backstabbers/helpful ones are. Learn who you can trust and who can't keep their gobs shut.

Beware of the early on overly friendly brigade. There'll almost always be at least one.

Check everything.

Take notes

Take every opportunity you can for training and make sure any mandatory training is up to date.

Be clear about objectives, company values, appraisals etc.

Your coworkers are (mostly) not your friends.

Ask a manager and mindtools are great websites.

Beware HR. They're usually not your friends either. Make sure they confirm everything in an email. Keep scans, downloads and paper copies of payslips, contracts and other important documents.

Nod and smile. Pretend you're enthusiastic even if you're not.

Be very, very careful about what you share about yourself, especially in the early days. You never know who might use it against you/get offended.

Under-promise and over-deliver but do what you say you will.

Be prepared for constantly moving goalposts and don't call anyone out in public.

Keep good records. You never know when you'll need them.

Dress appropriately for the setting.

Have an exit strategy just in case - a one year, two year, three year and five year plan.

Join a union.

Too many people focus on pleasing higher ups all the time. While that is important, don't assume any of those people are there for the long haul. Be prepared for your boss/mentor/work bestie to move jobs/organizations in the future.

Be nice to receptionists, cleaners, support staff, people higher up often have no clue just how important and knowledgeable they are. They see EVERYTHING.

If all else fails, think about each day like a work sitcom.

Remember we work to live, not live to work.

Eat sensibly, take breaks and invest in a good flask or insulated cup. Carry an umbrella and/or an appropriate waterproof and always have a snack bar on you in case those very important meetings over run. Be prepared to eat lunch in your car qor other safe place if surrounded by gossips.

Best of luck!

Truly listen to the power of the customer. (They will soon tell you whether the workplace is for you.)

Where possibly look at earlier colleagues' workings or notes, but I thoroughly appreciate this is hard when you cannot access accounts due to security reasons.
It did massively help one time how a small business was wildly confusing me with how to get to a working out of treatment area to the point that only looking over past accounts helped get it square in my mind and earned a pay rise at 3 months, but I appreciate you cannot do that in a marked compliant industry.

A lot of companies today like to think they train, but they don't know the first clue.

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.

Don't do this. They'll see you as a walkover. Be punctual but you do not need to give your time for free. Set and keep good boundaries.

Attention to detail
Be polite
Do not ask the boss something that you can work out for yourself
Finish what you start

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

I manage people and there is no need to do this. I would more assume that the team member is not able to carry out their role in the time they are employed.

As long as people get the work done if they want to leave on the dot I would never think anything less of them.

Nod and smile. Pretend you're enthusiastic even if you're not

Wise words that.

Under promise, over deliver.

My personal experience - always cover your arse. By that I mean have an email trail, note down time and dates of important conversations. If the conversation is important, ask them to follow by email or you do it. Some people are shit and don't mind screwing you over to cover themselves or taking credit for your work.

Do some relevant short courses. Keep learning. Know what's going on in your industry.

Don't use your work email for personal stuff or forward jokes and crap.

Be well groomed and wear appropriate clothing to fit in with the organisation. The effort and care won't go unnoticed and will give the impression you care about delivering a high standard of work.

Take lunch away from your desk/ workplace. Crumbs and a mouthful of food can look sloppy.

Learn to say no. Being totally overworked means you are not likely to do any of the tasks assigned well.

Don't grumble about colleagues, even if fully deserved, until you've sussed out allegiances. Some places are very incestuous.

If there are things you need to ask a lot of questions about, spread the questions around so that you don't bombard the same person a lot. Obviously try to work out the answer yourself first.

Depends what the job is.

Sounds like these are mostly for the nodding dog, greasy pole.