As the country begins to reopen and many seek new employment after three months of closures, it’s apparent many things will never be the same. In many instances, job seekers are realizing they want a different and better career, and they are choosing to be more particular about the company they might work for.
As organizations assess how they will create the most safe and responsible workplaces for its employees, job seekers must be ready to dive in to a new normal that is being shaped by the day. Businesses want and need to hire adaptable workers who are eager to try their very best and learn and grow along the way.
If you’re looking for a new job and prepping for interviews, or if you recently landed a new position and want to prove how valuable you are for the long run, here are a few characteristics to keep in mind and work to strengthen if you prefer to stand out from the rest.
Be #ReadyToWork
It’s imperative to demonstrate you are ready to work hard each day, no matter the challenges you might encounter. In many parts of the country, employees are being asked to wear face masks, use hand sanitizer often and socially distance as best as possible throughout their shift. If you are able to express that these requirements are not a big deal and you are ready to follow all necessary guidelines for safe work during these unique times, then employers will know you respect rules and procedures and care about your workplace and others.
Enthusiasm & Flexibility
The past three months have shown us we don’t always know what might happen in the future. It is critical for new hires to be eager about their work and always show up with a positive attitude, even when things could change suddenly. The way a company operates could shift overnight or an employer might need its workers to add a new skillset or adapt to a new client request. Remaining flexible each day and maintaining an upbeat perspective proves your dependability no matter the variables you might encounter.
Show Integrity
It might sound simple enough but being an honest person who always take the high road can sometimes prove difficult in challenging situations. Think through certain past circumstances in which you know you showed reliability and truthfulness and think about how good you felt in those instances. If you have a job interview, share examples of the times you demonstrated strong virtue in the workplace or in your personal life. And if you just started a new position, remaining honest from the very beginning will always lead to more opportunities for advancement in the future. Your coworkers and managers will see it and appreciate it, and so will the clients you serve.
Dedication to Learning
Always be willing to listen and learn from others, as well as from yourself! The job you might interview for today, or receive tomorrow, could very well change slightly or even greatly over the next few months. Keeping a learning mindset means you are always open to new knowledge, skills or ways of doing things. Learning new skills on the job from others, whether a team member or a leader, is another great way to show your dedication to a company and move into new and higher positions down the road.
A recent article by Forbes states, “There’s a lot unknown about how the world will transform after we get the novel coronavirus under control, but it is extremely unlikely that things will just go back to exactly the way they were before. Our workplaces are likely to change, and with it, the skills companies will require.”
While this is very true, we at Quantum Services believe there are a few things that will never change in our workplace—integrity is revered, hard work is acknowledged, and learning is a trend that will never go out of style. Embed each of these vital characteristics into the way you approach your work and your life, and you will succeed at getting and keeping the great new job you deserve!