Job Seekers: 10 Ways Not to Suck At Work

I hear it from both sides. On one hand, employers are desperate for "good employees"...heck, any employees. On the other hand, I run into people who say they cannot find a job. They look, apply, and interview, but they cannot seem to land it. I find that we can't categorize everyone into the same bucket. We have different problems in different groups.

Let's just focus on one group today - YOUNGER, INEXPERIENCED EMPLOYEES.

I'm not picking on you. I'm just sharing feedback from dozens of employers I have spoken with over the past 3 weeks. I am working on a project where I contact several employers and asking what they look for in their employees. While I ask about technical skills, the FIRST things that come to mind are the items below.

If I can share points of feedback, perhaps you can benefit from them. For whatever reason, these are becoming more common and problematic. You can't fix what you don't know...so I'm going to share them with you. Again, these are common points of feedback from almost 100 employers from just over the past few weeks (and it coincides with my observations over the past years). Here's the shortlist:

• Show up. They can't get employees to show up to work. (They often have people not show up to the interview.) Employees call in sick, burn vacation quickly, and find any excuse to not come to work. This is the fastest way to get fired.
• Be on time. Being late is tied with showing up at all as the top issue shared by employers as a problem. Here's the rule: Early is on time. On-time is late. And late is never acceptable. Why not be late? Most jobs have rules about being tardy...after enough of them, you'll be fired. Period. On the other hand, employees who consistently show up, show up on time and do their jobs well get raises, bonuses, and promotions.
• Dress appropriately. It is not a contest to see who looks like they just rolled out of bed. Even if the work environment says "business casual" it does not mean wear dirty jeans and a wrinkled t-shirt. You represent the company (even if the customer doesn't see you). When you dress nicer, you act differently. That affects your performance and behavior, and your boss notices too.
• Take a shower. Personal hygiene has become a problem. (And not just for the guys.) Even though you cannot smell yourself, others can. Please keep the world beautiful.
• Communicate. Basic communication skills - interpersonal skills, the ability to have a verbal conversation, conflict management, diplomacy - are lacking. If you come in with a basic skill set in communication, you'll go far.
• Problem solve. The ability to take a situation, use the information around you, and solve problems without being told what to do and how to do it is in short supply. Learning how to critically think, use essential math skills, and incorporate linear thinking to go from "Point A" to "Point B" will get you far in your job. If you need help, ask someone to assist. People can help you improve your abilities.
• Willingness to learn. One of the greatest challenges is new employees coming into a job and thinking they know everything. We're used to YouTube - just load a video and in 5-minutes we become an expert. Expertise comes with experience in the workplace. An MBA and no experience does not give you the right to talk down to the tradesman with 30-years of experience...he knows a LOT more than you do (about work, life, and much more). Take the opportunity to learn from others rather than trying to show how smart you are.
• Attitude. As most employers share with me, "If they have a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a basic set of competencies, I'll hire them and teach them the skills." We can train skills. We cannot train personality or attitude.
• Work. Another one to make the top of the list is work ethic (or the lack thereof). A common observation is avoidance of work, the desire to do as little as possible, the inability to work long hours without complaining, and cutting out early from or skipping work. When combined with a positive attitude and some of the other traits described above, a strong work ethic will propel you through the ranks of promotion in your career.
• Quality. Topping the list is a lack of understanding of the need for quality. Whether in production or service delivery, managers observe new employees wanting to do things so fast that they don't take the time to make sure it is done right. In a "throwaway" world, quality is often not valued. Employees who can demonstrate quality work will also reserve a place on the shelf of high performers in their workplace.

While not an exhaustive list, this is meant to share several thoughts of employers they wish applicants knew. I'm not sure it will help anyone out there...perhaps someone can share with high schoolers or college students ready to enter the workforce. The key is to ensure they know that it takes more than just a degree or a resume to get, keep, and succeed at a good job.

Here's to your success!

Dr. Wade Larson - Optimal Talent Dynamics

www.OptimalTalentDynamics.com / [email protected]

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