Hi friends! Happy hump day! I’m taking a quick break from Wedding Wednesday, but don’t worry it’ll be back next week. 🙂
So I’ve been working in an office for over three years now. It’s not a huge amount of time by any means, but it is enough time to learn the ropes and pick up what traits make or break an employee.
When I first started working, everything felt like a big deal. Where do I get a new pen? Where’s the engineering paper? How do I get this document to print to the 11×17 printer? What do I say when my phone rings? Can I really take an hour long lunch break???
A lot has changed since then. Thank God.
I’ve learned that there are three types of workers in an office: Those who barely meet expectations (the “fat” that gets trimmed when budgets get tight), those who meet expectations (they get their work done on time, and are happy with that), and those who exceed expectations (the workers that push the boundaries, don’t think about work in terms of “40 hours,” and are ultimately indispensable).
Want to rise to the top? Here’s a few guidelines that are necessary to exceed expectations and become ultimately indispensable.
Show up on time.
Or even a little early. Every boss is different, but put yourself in their shoes. If you had an employee who was always 5-15 minutes late, would you think they were responsible? Also. My workplace has a “flexible work hours” policy, so it’s not a big deal if I do have to stay late to make up time. That being said, most days I work way more efficiently when I’m in my chair by 8AM with my coffee.. consistency is key, right? It’s all about being in the right headspace.
Invest in your coworkers.
Everybody wants to go to work where they are heard and cared about. Take the time to ask your desk mates about their weekends or even just what they brought for lunch. You never know what a simple question can do for a person! Plus, you’re spending 40 hours a week with these people, so you may as well try to get to know them on a personal level. Ryan makes a point of asking a couple coworkers out to lunch at least once a week. Wouldn’t that be an awesome way to get to know your associates a little better?! On another note, networking will never go out of style. You can never have too many points of contact in an industry.
Don’t forget to look at each project / situation from a bird’s eye view.
I’ve gotten wayyyy too wrapped up in minute details and wasted hours on small things that either: a) weren’t important in the main scheme of things or b) not crucial issues to solve at the time. When you find yourself unable to complete a task in a reasonable amount of time, pull off and make a note to come back to it later with fresh eyes.
Ask questions. Efficiently.
Don’t be afraid of sounding stupid. If you come to a fork in a project where you could proceed one of two ways, ask your boss what he wants you to do (you could save HOURS by asking, and I’m sure they’d appreciate you checking in before diving into the next phase of the project.) If you have a smaller question that doesn’t affect your workflow in a major way, save it. Make a list of small questions and schedule a meeting with your PM to discuss. That way, you’re not asking them to switch gears every time a question pops up.
Take notes when you learn something new.
If I had a dollar for every question I had to ask twice….
Solution: Get a three ring binder and some dividers. Label your dividers in a way that’s logical for your profession. Ex. As a structural engineer I’ve labeled my dividers for: loads, each material we design (wood, steel, concrete, etc.), drafting quick keys and tips for different programs. You get the picture.
Every time I come across a useful document or learn something new, I’ll print it, three hole punch it, and add it to the notebook. I’ve gotten so much use out of that notebook! It’s saved both my time and others’ because I no longer have to research a question or bother someone else for info. I swear by this notebook!
outfit details: top // cami // jeans // slides // purse // lipstick // watch
About the outfit: I wear these jeans way too often to work! They look professional yet they’re really comfortable. I sized up to a 27 and they fit perfect! The top is super long if worn untucked (check it out in a more casual outfit here) and it runs TTS!
Thanks for reading!
Before you leave, let me know: Do y’all agree these strategies are necessary to be an all-star at work? What do you think makes an irreplaceable employee?
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