4 Tips For Women To Perform Better at Their Jobs
While many employers do perform quarterly evaluations of their employees, many don't provide this type of insight. If you're unsure of what your employer expects of you, there are still things you can do to improve your performance in a general sense. These tips will help you get an advantage over your co-workers by helping you better meet your employer's expectations.
Unless you've just started a new job, you've probably been around long enough to have a basic understanding of your supervisor's expectations. Even if they haven't specifically stated some expectations, their interactions with your co-workers and yourself will give you a good sense of your supervisor's objectives and preferences. As you learn more about what your boss likes and dislikes, you can adjust how you perform your duties to align with your supervisor's personality. In many cases, how you do your job is just as important to a supervisor as getting those tasks done as efficiently as possible. Your boss will notice that you're taking the initiative to meet their expectations and go beyond them, so this type of strategy will pay off for you.
In interviews for most jobs, the recruiter will often ask candidates if they're team players. This is more than a standard question that everyone asks. Employers recognize that team players improve the efficiency of everyone in the workplace by seeking to benefit the team's objectives over personal goals. When you're willing to switch shifts, work a little overtime, or assist a co-worker, these acts of generosity won't go unnoticed. Your supervisor and your co-workers will recognize that you're willing to be supportive of the team. While earning a good reputation for being a team player is nice and looks good on a resume, it also shows your supervisor that you're leadership material. The next time you're competing with another co-worker for the same promotion, your willingness to step up and assist others on the team may be enough to give you the extra points.
When just one person takes on a negative attitude towards their job, those feelings spread to others and create a toxic work environment. By the same token, taking on a more positive or upbeat attitude will also influence the workplace culture. You can begin promoting positivity at work by resisting the temptation to spread water cooler gossip. Talking about co-workers behind their backs will breed negativity and set a tone for everyone in the workplace. It will also be noticed by your supervisors, and they'll be less likely to promote someone who engages in this type of behavior. Instead, look for exciting and positive things to talk about at work. Discuss your plans for your next vacation, talk about the most recent posts from your favorite women empowerment blog, or tell your co-workers about your favorite hobby. These types of topics can help you make new friends with similar interests while ensuring the discussions you have at work aren't negatively impacting others.
While you're at work, look for ways to do a little more and take a greater initiative. This doesn't always mean working later, although you can volunteer to pitch in when you know your employer needs the extra help. You can also volunteer for special projects. Taking on extra responsibility will improve the impression your boss has of you, but it will also provide you with an opportunity to learn about different aspects of the business. The extra insight this gives you will boost your creative thinking, allowing you to come up with new ideas to solve problems facing the organization. Instead of being an employee who always has something negative to say about every solution, you can be the one to offer those solutions. Your boss and your co-workers will come to think of you as the problem-solver and as someone they can go to whenever they need a solution for a challenging problem.
In addition to the suggestions provided here, you may want insight that's specific to your position within the organization. If that's the case, don't be afraid to ask a supervisor or manager for their direct insight. In many cases, an employer will be happy to guide you when you show any interest in serving the organization better.
Katie earned a BA in English from WWU and loves to write. She also adores hiking in redwood forests and photography. She feels happiest around a campfire surrounded by friends and family.