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After long years of study as a pupil, whether one hops out of school at age 16 or whether one wades through tertiary education, college or university, moving into the workplace is no mean feat. The transition is a substantial one to deal with. It is something one looks forward to with enthusiasm - it promises the earning of a salary and thus greater independence and autonomy. There can also possibly be a few qualms at the onset, because it is a new feat and involves not only that of being a 'grown-up' feat but also of being one with a good dose of responsibility attached to it. Not many people well and truly know what to really expect at this phase that bridges the long step from school to work. Making the transition smooth takes some preparation. Several employers complain that new and especially young job seekers and employees tend to expect to be paid for next to nothing or expect to be paid for the least possible exertion and effort possible. Some employers think that: Young would-be employees tend to be infected with the get-rich-quick syndrome and only see the final and most important outcome of any job responsibility as being the sound of jingling money in the pay-packet come that much-awaited pay-day at the end of the month. Other employers complain how discipline and namely punctuality is difficult to keep and how true professionalism is hard to find. But what do employers really expect and are would-be employees trained to deliver? First things first - remember that when you are employed, you are being promised a wage packet in exchange of a service you have to deliver, whether this is a people service or a product service. If you are being paid to serve clients, then you are expected to do so with courtesy and efficiency, the kind that will make the clients return time and again, or at least the kind that will make them recommend the company you are working for, to others. That means that even answering a simple phone call discreetly can make all the difference to somebody's opinion of that service and hence, company. On the other hand if you are being paid to produce products, then your productive work should meet specifications in order to allow the company you work for to carry on with its production, or maintain its level of professionalism. Remember also that your employer is entrusting you with responsibility, the run of the place, possibly money and possessions, as well as valuable stock. The employer is relying on you and your work to be able to further his or her business/service/enterprise and this in order to be able to keep you and others in employment, and eventually pay you at the end of the month. The employer is not doing you a favour by employing you - what you share is just a business arrangement. Contrary to your teachers at school who taught you and trained you, your employer is only obliged to train you enough to help you acclimatize yourself to your new position and carry out your tasks safely and properly. He/she will expect you to draw on your own experience or previous training in order to carry out the job independently. He/she cannot ignore you if you misbehave as your teacher might have done in class; cannot resort to reporting you to the head of school and pass on the buck; nor be patient with you if you decide not to turn up to work on the whim of the moment. When you are a student, misbehaviour, laziness or conceit will only bounce back on yourself and you will be the only one suffering the consequences. When you are an employee, your employer and the rest of the company and staff members are the ones to bear the brunt. Having said that, your employer must have the rights of his/her employees at heart and there are a number of civil, legal, health and safety rights you must be constantly aware of. You should arm yourself with the basic knowledge of what these are and what they should include. Make your research well before taking on a new job, or signing contracts, so you know what to expect and what to demand. If need be, ask advice to third parties who would be able to guide you through legal contractual jargon before taking the leap. If in doubt, don't do anything binding, play for time and get advice that will clarify your future position within the company. Back to what you can do to make things simpler for yourself. Start by: 1. Being punctual. Train yourself to be on time even before you start off on the new job. Punctuality is imperative and will eventually reflect well on yourself should you stand any chance of promotion or be considered eligible for an increase in the pay packet. 2. Collaboration is tantamount and so, good communication between employer and employee is necessary. Ask questions - you are not expected to know everything all at once. And you are not expected to plunge in at the deep end if you cannot keep afloat. If something is unclear, if machinery is difficult for you to handle, if you haven't really got the hang of a task - speak up and ask to be shown again, or at least allowed to try carefully before doing the actual task at hand single-handed. You risk less damage to yourself, your work and your reputation that way. 3. Check who is the best person to ask advice or guidance and always make sure this is your superior and directly responsible for your work. 4. Avoid creating unpleasant friction between colleagues by speaking to the right people. Be cautious about taking initiatives until you know the ropes well - if you have any doubts, play for time and ask advice from your superior. 5. Be prepared for some back-stabbing and watch out not to get caught in nasty workplace games. 6. Do not try to sidle up to people you don't know well and take time to draw up conclusions about people. People behave differently in different circumstances - choose your new buddies carefully. Ultimately you will discover, as your life at work develops, that wherever you take up a job, whichever company you work for and whoever you have to deal with, you will find good and pleasant people, just as likely as finding bad and difficult people. It is ultimately up to you to treat people fairly and honestly and that, ultimately is the name of the game. Be prepared to work hard and with dedication, be enthusiastic about things and courteous to people. The rest will take care of itself. Since 1987, CSB Group has been servicing the local and international business community with its range of employment/recruitment related services. It has helped thousands of employees improve their job conditions and careers, and employers obtain the ideal staff for their organisations.
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