Staying Ahead in the Office and Making Your Boss Proud

Dozens of applications have been sent in. Your mouth has gone dry from preparing for interview after interview. You’ve endured sleepless nights and subway rides for interviews that only elicited the diplomatic yet oh-so-heatwrenghing emails, “while we reviewed your application and although you have some interesting experience, we will not be moving forward with your application at this time.” Finally, you get an offer; the job is yours. While your life may not revolve around finding a job anymore, what are you supposed to do once you start? How do you make a good impression on your boss, hand in the high-quality work and get a full time offer or promotion down the line? Here are some tips on how to be the best version of yourself when creating your “business” persona in the office.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Walking into a new office can be intimidating. Even small things like finding the closest water cooler or vending machine can be enough to make your heart do a somersault, let alone figuring out the harder questions related to your job. Most people come into a job not knowing every detail about it and require assistance to get through the day. The most important advice you need to know is not to be afraid of asking questions. People expect you to inquire about the work and the workspace as soon as you step foot in the office, and if you don’t do it now, it gets more and more awkward down the line — just imagine asking your boss where the bathroom is after a month of working there! Power through that fear and watch yourself work your way to the top.

2. Collab!
When you start a job at a large company, it's easy to get funneled into one very specific position that may teach you how to do one thing well, but it’s all you can do. This makes it harder to learn new skills that help you advance in your career and allow you to become a more valuable asset to the company. One way to overcome this is to invite people from other departments to collaborate on projects. Working on tasks with other people gives both of you the chance to acquire new talents and spin an assignment in a way that gives it multiple perspectives. Top positions require people to have a vast array of industry expertise and this is a great way to get yourself ahead.

3. Focus.
The 9-5 grind can be tiring, and an overwhelming workload can make it hard to focus on just one project. Many people rely on background noise, music or podcasts to get things done.  There are many great apps to choose from, like Apple’s own podcast app or Spotify’s robust selection. Additionally, meditation could be an alternative way to help you settle down and pound through some work. Apps like Headspace (free trial available), Happify and Mindfulness Daily help you stay calm in stressful situations. Lastly, it might be helpful to take a quick breather. Give yourself five minutes to take a walk outside, do some yoga or watch a quick Youtube video. Taking your mind off work for a little can make your time spent working more productive. 

4. Balance
Most of us have spent the majority of our lives going to school with the hopes of getting a good job after we graduate. The prospect of a nice paycheck has fueled years of hard work and long nights of studying. With that said, at the end of the day, the work you do is just a means to an end. While hard work and acquiring a livelihood is important, living life is of the utmost importance. So while working hard and pulling those extra hours to impress your boss, be sure to schedule a vacation and make time for family and friends. 

Landing a job is a fantastic accomplishment. The chance to prove yourself in a company can be exciting, nerve-wracking or a bit of both. By following these tips, you give yourself the best chance to grow and succeed in this new environment.

Photo Caption: Staying ahead in the workplace is as easy as following these simple steps.
Photo Credit: Pixabay