Got The Job - Now What?

Got the job! Now what?

Re-entering the workforce or starting work for the first time can be very daunting and often you are unsure of the most appropriate way to act. Every workplace is different, as every role is different, but here are some guidelines to set you off on the right foot:

General Tips:

1. Always act with honesty and dignity
2. Always treat your co-workers, cleaners, maintenance people and customers with respect and courtesy.
3. NEVER arrive at work drunk, smelling of alcohol on under the influence of drugs
4. Be on time for your job. Better still, be early
5. Be respectful to your employer
6. It's ill-mannered to wear iPod buds in your ears at work
7. Respect the business goals and help to achieve them
8. Respect the firm's confidentiality of information
9. Respect the firm's clients' confidentiality of information
10. Provide your boss with information as required
11. Keep your boss well informed in a timely fashion

Attire & Hygeine:

1. Wear appropriate office attire, for example ensure you have protective footwear in a warehouse environment or dressed in a corporate suit for an office environment
2. Never display your midriff or tattoos/body piercing etc
3. Be neat, clean and conservative at all times.
4. Noone likes a smelly person so be sure to shower regularly and use a suitable deodrant
5. Don't cough or sneeze in anyones direction. Use a tissue and excuse yourself.

Communication:

1. Keep your interruptions of others to a minimum and always apologise if your intrusion is an interruption of a discussion, someone's concentration or other activity
2. Show respect for each others workspace. Knock before entering
3. Show appreciation for the slightest courtesies extended to you
4. Be helpful and co-operative with each other
5. Speak clearly without shouting. Loud people are a vexation
6. Say, "Please; Thank you; You're welcome", as part of your everyday courtesy
7. Be discreet and compassionate in your criticism of a co-worker
8. Don't gossip about any co-worker's private life
9. Do not try to sell things to your colleagues
10. Don't hover around while waiting for a co-worker to get off the phone. Leave a note for them to call you or return later
11. It's not a good idea to take your iPod to your office. It hinders communication
12. Avoid sexist comments about a co-worker's dress or appearance
13. Surveys show that the office know-it-all proved to be the biggest gripe amongst co-workers. Don't be a know-all
14. Take responsibility for your mistakes, apologise and go about correcting the mistakes
15. Apologise if you are clearly in the wrong. If in doubt, apologise anyway. It's no big deal
16. Never blame someone else if it is your mistake
17. If your boss criticises your work, enquire about what precisely is wrong with it. Consider the comments, discuss them amiably if you disagree with the comments but defer to the bosses opinion if he/she is adamant
18. The boss always gets the benefit of the doubt. Don't argue with the boss.
19. Make new employees feel welcome and comfortable around you. Don't be a busy-body
20. Office etiquette means being thoughtful when interacting with your peers
21. Keep your work area tidy. Try not to be messy
22. Show consideration for other people's feelings
23. If there is conflict, do not get personal in your remarks

Meetings:

1. It is extremely rude to arrive late for a meeting
2. It is ruder still to not attend at all. Having a good excuse does not exonerate you
3. Do not dominate the meeting. All communication must take place through the chairperson
4. Do not interrupt another speaker
5. Pay attention to the proceedings quietly. Don't shuffle your papers
6. Do not leave the meeting until it is closed by the chairperson