Monday, 17 June 2013

Work Smart; Dont' Just Work Hard

Last Saturday, I was invited to give an employment workshop at a young people's fellowship. I promised that I would post the notes in my blog. Here are the notes from my workshop called:

         " Don't Just Work Hard; Work Smart and Get Promoted"




Career Goals
If you want to go places or get promoted at work, you must set goals for yourself. Think about what would you like to achieve in different periods of time. Do just let time go by year after year without setting goals and achieving them.
          Short  Term
          Long Term goals
          1 year
          5 year
          10 year
          Plan of actions to achieve them
          Promotional track
          The most  important thing I have to do to get promoted is………
           
Important Qualities
Many people make the mistake of simply working hard at the workplace without thinking of other things.   Please be aware that Hard working alone is not enough. You need to work smart and know what skills and what you need to do before you can be promoted at work.  The following skills are paramount to be successful at work:

          Good communication skills – Extremely important, the number 1 criteria!!!
          Mentors and support network
          Reasonable command of English – good writing and speaking skills without a lot of mistakes
          Life -long learning attitude
          Understanding of western cultures and values

Learn About Your Company
          Research Company
          Know the products
          Know the organization structure
          Knowledge is Power

Be Observant
          Observe how people behave
          Know expectations
          Company cultures & values
          Learn office politics
          Know who you can trust at work
          Do not isolate yourself
          Form alliance with colleagues with other ethnic groups

Be Sensitive
          We live in a Multicultural Cociety
          50% immigrants to Canada land in  Toronto
          Respect other people’s cultures and differences
          E.g. Food – do not complain other people’s food

          Do not speak your own ethnic language:
          In front of other ethnic  groups  such as your  colleagues
          In elevator
          Office
          Body language

Good Manners = Consideration
          Must use  Thank you, please, excuse me
          Holding doors for others especially for women, and other people coming after you
          Do not interrupt other people`s  conversation
          Wait for your turn
          Aware of voice level and way of speaking
          Understand  I want  vs I would like.  Avoid using I want to….
          Can sound abrupt & rude

Good Manner - Eating Etiquette at work
Do’s
         Close  mouth while eating
         Wipe  mouth while / after  finish eating
         Respect other  people’s food
          
         Don’t
         Bring fish or strong smelling food to lunch
         Make noise while you eat/ drink
         Talk while you are eating
         Bring the plate or bowl to your mouth to eat

Appearance
         Dress professionally
         Dress for desired position
         Dress according to season
         Colour , fabric
         Coordinate colour
         No more than 3 colours on your body
         Understand Canadian culture
         Know what’s going on
         Understand the subtleties in daily living
Grooming
         Hair is important!!!
         Hair should be cut professionally
         No home cut style!!
         Spending money on your haircut  is money well spent!
         Avoid bad breath
         Mouth wash or breath mints every morning &  use them before meeting
         Finger nails - cut and clean
         Should use deodorant to avoid body orour
         Women – light make up/lip stick are essential

Wash Hair Every Other day
         Use conditioner esp. in winter
         Proper shampoo - dandruff shampoo

Important Skills
There are two main sets of skills needed at work.

         Technical  Skills
          
         Technical knowledge
         Professional skills
         High Expectations for your work and performance
         Strive for Excellence in everything you do
         Life Long Learning – keep learning and improving yourself
          
         Soft Skills
Many employers nowadays consider these skills more important than the technical skills. Many employers feel than employees lacking technical can be trained to improve their skills. However, if they don’t have good people skills, they will encounter problems with other employees and customers.

         Problem Solving
         People skills
         Getting Along
         Team work
         Cooperation

Networking
A large percentage of jobs are not advertised. Therefore, you must develop your own network so that you can have more opportunities and access to find good unadvertised jobs. Learning to small talk will help you to develop better relationship at work.

         Small talk with:
         Colleagues
         Supervisors
         Colleagues
         Secretary
         Attend seminars, conferences, workshops
         Volunteer on committees
         Get to know counterpart in other companies

Be Assertive
 
         Talk to supervisor regularly, informally
         Make appointment to talk to supervisor
         Tell them about your goals and ambitions
         Ask for advise and opportunities to assume leadership roles at work to gain experience
         Develop career plan and follow through with actions
         Try to have someone at work to be your Mentor – If you can get your supervisor as your mentor. He/she will advocate for you when promotion opportunities arise.
         As your mentor, your supervisor will help you for your promotion

Professional Image & Manner
You must cultivate a professional image, attitude and manner at work.  Remember when you are in a management position, you represent your company. There is a certain image you must project as a professional person. First impression is lasting, therefore try to look and behave as professional as possible at work.  

Be Faithful to God
         Pray & Ask God to:
         Give you wisdom
         Show you the way
         Open doors
         Be faithful in your service
         Put God first
         Be faithful & do your best in small jobs first. When we put our best effort in doing our best in whatever job God gives us, He will entrust us with bigger responsibilities in the future.
         Don’t forget to tithe and honour God with your earning!

Jabez’s Prayer  - 1 Chronicles 4:10
         And Jabez made a prayer to the God of Israel, saying, If only you would truly give me a blessing, and make wider the limits of my land, and let your hand be with me, and keep me from evil, so that it may not grieve me! And God granted him which he requested.

R.T.
Toronto


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