The time has come for one of your coworkers to leave the lab, and someone new has taken their place. Lots of things are about to change. They aren’t going to know how to make those special cookies the other person used to make. They may not root for the same sports team you do, but guess what—it’s their first day on the job.
Now, take a minute and ask yourself – would you want YOU for a coworker? Being able to answer YES is the key to success and comradery in the lab.
The most important traits you want to see from a new coworker are dependability and the ability to do the job while the most important traits a new coworker wants to see from you are a friendly smile, a welcoming attitude, and the occasional tag for help when it comes to the specifics of your lab. A fair trade, if you ask me.
If you are looking for a job, keep this in mind:
In today’s very competitive job market, we tend to get so focused on what WE are looking for in a new position or what WE need in a new job. Neither job seekers nor employers can afford to make a mistake in the current job market.
Try and focus on what YOU can do for THEM.
When you are in that next interview trying to make the best first impression, remember that while they are evaluating your skills and experience, they are also asking themselves, “Would I want this person as a coworker?”
How do you convey that you would be someone that you would be a good coworker? Here’s a list of a few attributes people like to see in their coworkers:
The list could go on forever, but I find that most of the other attributes that people talk about fall under one of the above three. So how do you relay this in an interview?
- Be prepared to be asked about situations with your current or previous employer.
- Take some time BEFORE the interview to prepare answers that give specific examples of how you displayed responsibility and dependability and how you took the initiative.
- Never say anything negative about a past employer. This can put you in the light of being a complainer. No one wants to work with a complainer
This might seem obvious but bear with me.
- Show your qualities of responsibility, dependability, and initiative DURING the interview.
- Show up a few minutes early with a clean copy of your resume, a pen, and the information not on your resume that you might need to fill out an application.
- Be polite to the receptionist and thank everyone you speak with during your time at the interview site.
Lastly, here is what you can do AFTER an interview. Send a thank you note to each of your interviewers via email and contact your references. Let them know to expect a call about you and ask them to mention what a great coworker or employee you are to the reference taker.
Remember, it isn’t just about what you can do. It is also about how you do it.
Written By: Pam Barker, RELIA Solutions
#2023#LeadershipDevelopment#Blog