Careerbits Content

Every manager expects their employees to work hard and do their jobs, but with just a little nudge you can stand out. Those who stand out are the first ones to be considered when jobs open and it’s time for annual pay increases. Here are 5 great tips to get you started.

• Communication: more is more

Whether you’re new to your role or you’ve been doing this job for years, the more you communicate the better off you will be. Questions help you know exactly what is expected of you and make sure you don’t have to rework anything. At the same time, it will help your boss see that you are engaged with your work and help clarify anything for the rest of your team. Try it in your next meeting, just ask one more (important) question before you walk out the door.

• Anticipate needs

Communication is key, but the longer you are in your role, the more you should be able to understand what a good outcome will look like and what work needs to be done. Pick a small project, if you’re fairly certain you know what is expected, go ahead and make the jump and just do it. You’ll learn very quickly if that is appreciated or if your boss would prefer that you always wait for direction.

• Together you are better

As you are asking questions and anticipating your manager’s needs, they will begin to rely on you as a resource. As new ideas come up, try to give some feedback from your perspective, even if they were on the job recently, your boss will value additional feedback. This will help you to shape the work you do. Next time the boss has an idea, add some constructive input and see how they take it. Start slow, just add something that is possibly just an extension of their thought, if they seem to like it, start to work more in.

• Customers are key

Whether your customers are internal employees or clients, they are who you really work for. If your customers are happy, your boss will be too. Tell your boss about recent conversations with customers and ways you think your company could improve service. It will help keep them in the loop and make your life better. It’s a lot more fun talking to happy customers!

• Be Engaged

A recent study showed that only 29% of employees are engaged at their job. Even if you don’t love what you’re doing today, the best way to get the job you want is to do the best you can at the one you have.

What does engagement mean? It doesn’t mean you need to be a suck up or “drink the Kool-aid.” You can even do a little complaining with your co-workers. If you just follow the 4 points above, you are probably already there. By being enthusiastic and taking an interest in improving your company, you will be far ahead of your peers.

If you’re ready to take your career to a new level, there are a few things that you should start doing to become a better employee now. Here are some suggestions:

• Increase Productivity Through Focused Action
  Instead of being “busy” all the time, make sure that you’re filling your time with tasks that will be beneficial for the company. For example, you can stay busy by checking your email every 15 minutes, but this type of task isn’t an actionable item that will boost revenue for the company. Put together an effective to-do list by writing down tasks that will help you move forward in your goals and make measurable progress on your current projects. Make these to-do list items a priority in your work day, because taking action on your list will naturally decrease the low-priority tasks.
• Change Your Evening and Morning Routine
  If you’re the employee who is constantly dragging into the office late every morning, then you’re creating a situation where everyone else is always waiting on you. Getting up in the morning starts with your efforts the night before. Set a good bedtime routine to ensure that you are getting enough sleep at night, and have healthy morning habits that start your day right. Your mornings should be productive before you walk out the door because your morning routine will set the tone for the rest of your day. Basic hygiene tasks are important, and you should also focus on activities that will boost you mentally and emotionally as well. Morning exercise is a great option to get your blood flowing and help you feel ready to conquer the day.
• Overcome Procrastination
  It’s easy to procrastinate, especially when you have tasks that you’re dreading. However, overcoming procrastination is one of the best ways to improve your productivity and increase your value to the company. One of the best things that you can do to overcome procrastination is by tackling the most uncomfortable task first thing in the morning. By getting it out of the way the rest of the day will feel much more pleasant and you will build momentum that propels you through the rest of the day.
• Take Small Breaks Throughout the Day
  It might seem counter-intuitive to take more breaks if you are trying to be a better employee. But it is possible to boost productivity by taking small breaks to split up the workday. Step away from your desk for a few minutes to stretch your legs, get a drink of water, and socialize, and it will help to get your creative juices flowing. Many people find that powering through the workday without any breaks causes them to feel tired and unmotivated. If you’re starting to “hit a wall,” then step away from the project for a little while. You will come back from the break feeling refreshed and your efforts will be more productive.

By implementing these suggestions, you can be a better employee this year and potentially get the promotion or raise that you’re aiming for. These suggestions will increase your productivity and you will experience better levels of success in your career.