Now that you have been hired for the position you wanted, you will want to be sure that the job will be satisfying and that your employer will be pleased with your job performance.
Good communication and being a reliable, responsible and competent employee are keys to job success. Here are some tools to help you communicate and perform well.
- Start by creating a list of everything you are expected to do: Go over the list with your employer so that you both understand and agree on all of the requirements. Make sure that you know how to do everything on the list. If you are not sure about something, ask your employer to train you until you feel comfortable doing it on your own.
- Make sure you have a list of emergency numbers: Discuss danger signs and how to respond to each one. Make sure you can always reach your employer. Have all this information in writing and easily accessible.
- Set up a meeting with your employer to go over your first week on the job: This will enable you to bring up any concerns or questions you have, and give your employer the same opportunity. Hopefully, if something comes up that either you or your employer are not comfortable with, it can be resolved in this meeting and won’t be an ongoing issue.
- Create a communication schedule: Plan frequent check-ins to make sure you and your employer both feel good about how the situation is evolving. If any unforeseen issues arise, the check-ins will give you an opportunity to discuss them. Don’t hesitate to bring up concerns before they escalate. If you are having problems doing one of your scheduled tasks, discuss the issue and see if your employer has any suggestions.
- Always arrive on time and stay for the agreed-upon hours: Leave extra time for traffic jams to make sure that you’ll arrive when expected.
- Discuss how to handle special requests: If your employer wants to change the job requirements, whether on a one-time or ongoing basis, you will have to be comfortable with this new request, which hadn’t originally been part of the job (although keep in mind that most employers will love it if you can be flexible).
- Establish a policy for cancellations: If you become ill or have a sudden change in schedule, decide beforehand how you will contact each other and what will be done to find someone to cover for you when you are out. Likewise, if your employer asks you not to come on a particular day, will he be expected to pay you anyway? How will vacations be handled?
- Agree beforehand on payment: Discuss how frequently you will be paid, and how you will receive payment.
- Politeness counts: Always be kind, professional, and respectful, and expect the same from your employer.
If you follow these guidelines, you’ll have a good chance of succeeding on the job and making sure the job is one you enjoy and find fulfilling!
