How to Stand Out at Work

Posted on Thursday, April 13th, 2017

When you start at a new placement or job, it can be overwhelming at first. In an unfamiliar environment, it can take a couple weeks to get acquainted with the people and culture that you now work in.

But slowly, you will start to become comfortable with the work. And when that starts to happen, it’s time to look at ways that you can stand out and succeed at your job. Below, we look at some tactics for success in any industry and any job.

1. Listen

No matter what your job is, no matter what organization you work for, listening is your number one most important skill. Listen to your boss, coworkers, stakeholders, people in other departments, people from other companies, everything.

Listening will not only show you what kind of corporate culture your organization has, but what people are saying about the organization. You’ll learn much quicker by making sure you’re absorbing what you’re being shown.

You’ll also begin to identify problems and opportunities by listening to those around you. You’ll come to understand the challenges that the organization is facing, and the goals they want to meet. This information will help you as you spend more time with the company.

2. Know Your Strengths

It is very helpful to sit down and figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are in your given field. Are you an awesome writer? A confident designer? Great at project planning? The first few things that come to mind are likely your strongest features, so write them down. Knowing what your strengths are gives you the ability to identify the types of projects and work you’ll excel at.

Once you have your strengths identified, it’s time to think about how you can use them at work. In what ways can you flex those muscles, gain experience, and show your abilities?

3. Take Initiative

Once you’ve identified your strengths, it’s time to start thinking about how you can use them to help benefit your work, your boss, and your organization.

In your time spent at work, you may have begun to identify some problems or opportunities for the organization. You may also find, through listening to the company culture and by knowing what your skills are, that you have a solution for that problem.

Having the initiative to identify problems and create solutions is a valuable skill in any industry. It shows that you understand how the organization works and that you want to help improve it.

There are plenty of opportunities to show initiative at your job. Your boss or a co-worker may have brought up a new project in a meeting or in a conversation at your desk. If it’s something you can do, do it! That desire to take on work reflects really well on you.

4. Take It Slow

Remember: real change and progress happens in incremental steps. The best way of getting ahead at work is to show up every day and give it your best effort. It can sometimes feel like nothing is changing, but that effort—plus your listening skills, your strengths, and your initiative—will eventually come to benefit you.

Doing your best work will always reflect well on you. With these tips, you can succeed at any job you do.

Are you interested in taking a co-op course at Algonquin College? Are you an employer looking to hire an Algonquin co-op student? Get in touch with us! Visit our website at https://www.algonquincollege.com/coop/, connect with us at coop@algonquincollege.com or call us at 613-727-4723 Ext.7623.


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