When in the workplace, even if you are told you are all team members, you are still essentially on your own. Sometimes, things happen that you don’t like, and even things get said that may hurt your feelings a bit. You just have to learn how to deal with these things, move on, and get your job done to the best of your abilities. You also need to take initiative to show that you are more than capable of getting the job done, not only for your employer, but for your own benefit.
Here are a few great tips to help millennials succeed in the workplace, which is going to help you succeed in your life in general.
#1. Look for a Mentor
Anyone can use guidance, and this is something that most millennials are used to receiving, from teachers, parents, etc. If they are unable to receive mentorship through their employment, millennials may move on to other jobs where they can be mentored. Ask your employer if there is anyone within your company who can mentor you and help you grow in your career. If they know you are interested in advancing with the company, they will be more likely to help you find the mentor you need.
#2. Be an Innovator
If you want to see changes in your job, the workplace, etc., don’t wait for them to happen. Be the one to make those changes. Look ways to be an innovator in your job, and be ahead of the game. Take initiative to find ways to improve things, and put those ideas to work. Don’t wait for change. Make change. You don’t need to be experienced. In fact, you will gain a lot of valuable work experience by being an innovator.
#3. Stop Dilly Dallying
If you are supposed to arrive to work at a certain time, arrive at that time, and not a minute later. In fact, strive to get there early. When you get to work, don’t spend 20 minutes or more fiddling with things, drinking coffee, eating snacks, etc. Just get right to work and do what needs to be done. You can do these things during your scheduled break periods. Also, don’t leave a few minutes early. Stay until the end of your scheduled shift.
4. Focus on Skills
Everyone wants to be recognized at work through promotions, but what is really in a title? A title is nothing. It is the skills you need to achieve the title that actually count. The more skills you can learn, the easier it is going to be to get those promotions, and then you can have the better titles. Look at your career as a set of building blocks. Each block is a certain skillset, such as communication skills. Work on each skillset, one at a time, and build your career based on skills.
#5. Take on Responsibility
Don’t be the person who says they don’t know how to do something when asked. Instead, if there is something that you don’t know how to do, learn how to do it. Don’t be afraid to take on added responsibility, and be that person that your employer comes to when they need something done. This is going to show you in a great light to employers, and you will be at the head of the line when it is time for promotions and raises.
#6. Work Smarter, Not Harder
When given a task at work, don’t automatically jump on it and start working. Instead, stand back and look at the job, and what is expected as an end result. Then, think about ways to get the job done that are faster and easier than the traditional alternatives. You will be seen as being innovative, and you will not only get your work completed faster, but it will also be better quality.
#7. Answer Emails
These days, more and more millennials are relying on texting, selfies, and other ways to communicate, but they are ignoring email. You need to make sure that you take advantage of your email. Answer all of your emails, because you never know when one is going to be extremely important. Any customer and client emails are important, so you need to be checking your inbox regularly to stay on top of all of your emails.
#8. Collaborate with Others
Employers need to encourage millennials, and all employees, to collaborate with one another. Everyone should feel like they are contributing something to conversations, meetings, and decisions. Keep meetings open, so they are more like collaborative brainstorming sessions, and encourage everyone to share any ideas they may have on how to improve projects, workplace health and safety, etc.
#9. Look at Alternative Scheduling
Not everyone works a 9-5 job as was once the norm. Today, employers are looking at alternative scheduling, which allows young employees to have more time off to reenergize, but still do their jobs properly. For instance, you may want to talk to your employer about a schedule that involves working for longer shifts (10 hours), and then having three days off, instead of the traditional Monday through Friday with weekends off.
#10. Get Involved
If your company is not already involved in the community, look for ways it can be, and present your findings to your employer. Most millennials say that they want to work with companies that are social minded. If your company isn’t social minded, this doesn’t mean it is time to quit. Again, be an innovator, and talk to your employer about ways that the company can make a positive impact in the community.
#11. Don’t Expect Handouts
Many of today’s employees think that they are entitled to a lot of benefits from their employers. You are entitled to a pay check, and any benefits that were agreed upon when you were hired, and that is it. Your employer is not responsible to make sure that there is a games room, tasty snacks in the lunchroom, etc. Bring your own snacks, and while on breaks, make your own entertainment.
