There's more to your office reputation than hard work. It's a sad truth, but not everyone at your work will have a chance to be impressed by your incredible Excel-automated business model or that presentation deck you pulled an all-nighter for. But that won't stop them from forming an opinion about your work ethic just by walking by your desk a couple of times on their way to the washroom. (This article probably does not apply to you if you are one of the fortunate ones who have a very secluded cubicle). It's human nature to make rash judgments about others and the last thing you want is for your office habits to make you look incompetent at your job.
Teachings on being a "professional" often focus on how you dress and talk. However, there are some other simple things that you can do to better reflect a good work ethic:
1. Mirror the hours of your management: If your manager always comes in early, do the same. The bonus is you get to be around them when it's quieter and might even get some valuable one-on-one time.
2. Stay later: Truth is, when you come into work at 7AM, few people see it. When you stay until 7PM, almost everyone leaving will say bye or acknowledge your late presence on their way out.
2. Stay later: Truth is, when you come into work at 7AM, few people see it. When you stay until 7PM, almost everyone leaving will say bye or acknowledge your late presence on their way out.
3. Forget the cellphone: Don't use your phone at your desk. Ever. Even if you work tirelessly for 10 hours straight and someone just happens to walk by when you are sending that one text of the day, you risk being seen as a slacker. Especially if it's someone who rarely sees you. If you really need to take a personal phone call, you can go for a walk (or even use your desk phone if it's something quick -perception is that it's work related). Yes, it's hard to abandon our most prized possession for a few hours, but the cellphone just has to go while you're at your desk.
4. Carry the notebook: Instead of just sitting in a meeting, take some notes. This will help you stay engaged and show that you are listening.
5. Jacket on chair/hanger: sends the message that you are present somewhere in the office, even if away from your cubicle.
6. Mind the TMI (too much information): Keep personal conversations to a minimal. If you can't see someone that means they can't overhear you, right? Wrong.
7. Be present: This is the most important. If you are often tempted to work at home, think about all the valuable conversations that happen around the office that might help you do a better job. Being present allows you and other people to drop by with questions, as well as build rapport with your colleagues. Few things are more effective to finding an answer than sneaking up on someone right at their desk with the words "Do you have a quick minute?".
Hopefully these tips help you stay engaged in the workplace and show others that you care.
Happy D-coding,
Darya
Image source: http://beta.diylol.com/memes/545-procrastination-panda/posts/192779-i-may-not-look-busy-but-at-the-celular-level-i-m-really-quite-active
