9. I Do More than My Job Description …
If things are getting tense around the workplace, I try to branch my work out into things that aren’t normally my responsibility. This is just another way of making yourself less likely to be fired. If my bosses see that I’m capable of doing more, they’ll be more likely to keep me. Read more on this matter at MoneyCNN.com.
10. I Meet Deadlines …
Sometimes, it happens … a deadline just creeps up on me, and I don’t have my project completed. Or, I forget to turn something in on time. However, when jobs are as hard to come by as they are right now, there’s no room for errors. I really keep an updated calendar, and I check it every day to make sure I’m 100% prepared. Read these 14 Essential Tips for Meeting Deadlines for more info.
11. I Have No Excuses …
On occasion, it’s okay to have a good excuse for not getting something done, for having to miss a meeting, or for not making everything you do pure perfection. Right now, I don’t think it is that time. So, I’m not having any excuses. I’m not leaving early for doctor’s appointments, taking long lunches, or presenting anything that isn’t top-notch.
12. I’m Punctual …
When times get tough, bosses can look for any reason to let someone go, and my goal is not to give them a reason at all. I’m completely on time now to everything. Even if I have to come with no eye makeup on or with my shoes barely tied, I’m at work on time. I’m in my seat when the meeting starts, and I’m on the phone several minutes early whenever there’s a schedule conference call. Do you think you might need to work on your time management? Check out these great Tips on How To Be Punctual for very useful tactics.
13. I Dress Nicer …
Speaking of shoes and makeup, I dress up a little bit when things get tight around the office. I think it pays to dress to impress, and I also believe in dressing for the job you want. So, since I want this job I’ve got, I dress like I enjoy coming to work and view it as a professional place. This extra effort always impresses the bosses and makes me seem more like a go-getter. Check out 10 Things Every Stylish Woman Should Have… for more ideas on how to style up your look.
14. I Get Detail-Oriented …
Sometimes being a big-picture person is awesome, but I’ve found in these tough times that bosses just want a girl who can get the job done. So, I’m focusing on the details of my assignments… checking all my numbers, making sure all assignments look great, keeping things totally professional. I want to give an air of complete competence.
15. I Limit Personal Time …
Now’s the time when I start cutting back on personal phone calls, text messages, or quick Facebook status updates. I don’t want to take any chances on a boss coming up and thinking I’m not taking work seriously. Right now, I want to look like the consummate professional at work, and that means focusing on work only.
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Those are the little precautions I take in times like these to help my position at work be more secure. I hope you can apply some of these ideas to improve your standing in your workplace! Do you have any other great tips? Post them below, because we could all use them in times like these!
Im trying to be more available at my job…like when others call out or have off on a day that is my usual day off! It’s tough out there today…and I would like to keep my job. Great post!
Dear Katie,
My colleague in work is bossing me and making me nervous each day that I’ve reached my limits, my boss is usually out of town and I am trying to tell him but still haven’t had the chance, I feel it’s the last hope for me but I don’t want to look childish telling him about it, please let me know what to do?
Thanks, Maram
I would add that you should continue to learn, both on the job and off. Companies want employees who continue to evolve. We want to hire and retain employees who are able to take a simple project and turn around a result that exceeds expectations. I am the Chief of Staff at Zayo Group and I write a blog that gives business tips, tricks and training. The really good employees read the blog and excel at their jobs. They even guest blog to share their tips, tricks and humor.
Hi Maram,
I think you’ve got to stand up to your colleague and let him or her know that you won’t take being bossed around. If it were a superior, it would be different, but if this person is your colleague and an equal in the workplace, he/she has no position to be telling you what to do. I would frame it in a very professional manner in a formal conversation, and I would have a trusted, reliable coworker along as a witness in case things get nasty.
Good luck!