Reputation COUNTS

When ever I start a new job, I almost immediately start second-guessing the decision to leave my last job. Did I make a mistake? What is the culture REALLY like at the new place? Did they tell me the “real” story during the interview and selection process?

Workplace culture is rarely discussed in detail and people perceive the job environment in different ways.   Even if it is mentioned in an interview, it is being presented through the eyes of the interviewer, which may or may not be the actual case.

Since you are now in the new position, you can relieve your anxiety by concentrating on building relationships within this company. Make it a point to meet as many colleagues as you can.  Do a lot of listening and observe to whom people go for advice.  Watch “how they do things around the office.”  Practice workplace etiquette such as being appreciative, positive, being a team player and doing what you say you will do.

You can learn a lot from watching.  Observe how conflicts are handled and see how they are resolved.  Find out if you feel comfortable with that.  What about the sense of cooperation?  Do co-workers help each other or is everyone out for themselves?  These are things you learn once you’ve been on the job a while.  You can also request a meeting with your boss to ask for a mentor to help you feel comfortable more quickly.

It may be that this new job won’t be for you.  But consider why you left your last job too.  Before changing jobs again, make a list of things that are important to you, which could be conflict resolution, training opportunities, or how competitive the environment is and make sure you ask those types of questions during the interview.  Make sure you understand the vision of the company to determine if it is compatible with your beliefs.

Tags: Workplace culture by Marcia Hall
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Recently I spoke with Leonard Raley, who is the President & CEO of the University System of Maryland Foundation, Inc.  We were talking about the type of employees he wants.  I loved what he told me:

“When thinking about the type of employees I want, I start with attitude, aptitude and altitude. In other words, I want people who convey positive energy, demonstrate an intellectual curiosity and dare to dream big.  I look for colleagues who are flexible, problem solvers and innovators.  It’s important that people show up when they say they will, are respectful of others and their opinions, and most importantly have a passion for delivering high quality customer service.”

How are your attitude, aptitude and altitude? 

Tags: Soft skills by Marcia Hall
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Did you know that certain behaviors and attitudes you display might be interpreted by coworkers or your boss as arrogance? 

Take this short quiz and see if any apply to you.  Answer Yes, No, or Sometimes:

1. You don’t listen well and interrupt others to tell them your good idea.
2. You don’t look at other people when you speak to them.
3. You don’t acknowledge other people coming into the room.
4. You rarely smile.
5. You don’t interact with coworkers in a positive way.
6. You don’t return coworker phone calls or emails promptly.
7. You show annoyance when you are asked to do “grunt” work.
8. You feel entitled to your job or a project.
9. You don’t like to share credit with others.
10. You keep other people waiting.

 If you answered “Yes” even once, you may be seen in a negative way.  Since being perceived as arrogant can hurt your career, it is important to correct these behaviors as soon as you are aware of them.  Ask friends and family for their feedback and support as you make these adjustments.  It may take some time to improve the perception other people hold of you, but your career will suffer if you choose not to change the behaviors.

Tags: Attitude by Marcia Hall
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Yesterday in the editorial section of the Washington Post, April 1, 2009, was an article about “sexting.”  This is the practice by teens who send messages that contain nude or semi-nude photos of themselves. 

The focus of part of the article, written by Ruth Marcus, was about the child pornography implications and cases that have gone to court.  The author asserted that, “Teenagers need to be protected from their own stupidity, not prosecuted for it.”

I would add that teenagers need to understand what can happen if future employers see these pictures. They can ruin reputations.  Nothing that can be perceived as inappropriate should be posted anywhere because as one employer said, “It’s going to come back to bite you.”

Many teenagers and adults just don’t get that.

Tags: reputation by Marcia Hall
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