You’ve worked hard to develop the skills you need to excel in your dream job, but getting hired in a new, foreign environment can make you feel a bit out of place. Plus, there are a lot of different personalities constantly at play and how well you get along with others can really make or break how happy you are at work, or even your chances for a promotion.
In general, if you are respectful, empathetic, and professional in the workplace, then people are going to be more likely to want to work with you and it will be a much more pleasurable and productive environment. However, building confidence and convincing yourself that you belong can be challenging in the beginning. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to build confidence, form allies, and perform your job to the extent that it not only boosts your reputation, but it helps the whole company.
KNOWLEDGE EQUALS CONFIDENCE
The saying “knowledge is power” is something that’s been floating around for ages, and power has also been equated to confidence. Therefore, it helps to continuously think of ways to improve yourself and hone in your skills so that you can be a better person and co-worker. Expanding your knowledge can inadvertently give you more confidence and people will start to trust and listen to what you have to say.
Likewise, if you maintain a relaxed disposition and take the time to listen and ask questions if you need clarification, you’ll also be seen in a more favorable light in the workplace.
PAY ATTENTION TO HOW YOU COME ACROSS TO PEOPLE
How you look, act, and behave in the workplace also has a lot to do with your coworkers’ respect in you. First impressions mean a lot and set the tone for the time you’ll spend in a particular position and has everything to do with your continued success. Make sure that you are always dressing appropriately for the job and be attentive of your personal hygiene/grooming. If you are cognizant of how you appear to others, then it can greatly affect how they treat you which affects your confidence. Also, it helps your confidence to allow enough time to get to places, like continually being prepared and on-time to work and to meetings shows that you’re someone who your coworkers can count on.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SETTING YOURSELF APART FROM OTHERS
There are some other things you can do to also earn the trust and respect from your coworkers. For instance, show up to work early a few days a week and stay late if you need to, which can show you are committed to your role, as well as try your best to keep your personal life and your work life separate. No one likes gossip or to get caught up in someone else’s personal drama, so put your cell phone on silent and focus your time at work on the tasks at hand. Also, be professional on the phone and in your email communications. Whether or not you think it makes a difference, people really do notice and will treat you accordingly.
WHAT FLORIDA CAREER COLLEGE CAN DO FOR YOU
While you may feel like a fish out of water in the beginning, it takes time to warm up to your coworkers and get into a groove that works for the business. However, if you recognize and celebrate your successes, don’t sweat the small stuff, let go of the negative and focus on the positive, and remember to have fun, then you can forge workplace relationships that last a lifetime.
