Standing Out At Work

By Ashley Paskill on September 30, 2018

Whether you work full time while taking classes or over the summer, have a part-time job, or are working an internship, work is often tedious and tiring. It is easy to want to brush it off and get it done and over with, especially if it is a position not directly related to your future career. However, you never know what skills you can learn and apply later on in life, so it is important to make the most of your time in any position. If you are lucky to be in a position related to your field, you may want to make sure you stand out to your colleagues and supervisor as they may be your keys to a position after you graduate college.

1. Take initiative

It is easy to wait around for your supervisor to give you tasks to complete and goof off in the meantime, whether it means scrolling through Instagram or sending the latest memes to your friends. These are not bad things to do, but doing them when you are supposed to be working does not look good on you. It makes you seem unprofessional. If you finish your tasks early, ask your supervisor if there is anything else you can do. If not, ask if you can help coworkers with anything. This will not only show that you are efficient and caring, but it also shows that you want to learn new things and are capable of doing more than they thought upon hiring you.

2. Be a problem solver

Problems will arise in the workplace, even to the most experienced professional in your office. Instead of asking your supervisor what to do immediately, devise a way that you intend on fixing the problem and let your supervisor know about the plan of action. This keeps him or her in the loop while showing that you are capable of fixing things and want to solve things on your own. Go through other means, such as a coworker or Google, before asking your supervisor what to do. Also, if you see that an issue is about to occur, bring it up before it happens to ensure that it is taken care of immediately.

Stand Out Work

Image: Mimi Thian via https://unsplash.com/photos/54uolC2jjm4

3. Interact with your co-workers

If you work in a cubicle, it can be tempting to avoid all face-to-face communication with your coworkers. In order to stand out, make it a point to say good morning when you walk in and talk to them throughout the day. Ask your immediate co-workers to lunch and offer to buy coffee for coworkers if you are making a coffee run for yourself. This will make you seem nicer and more personable. It will also allow your personality to shine, especially if you go out of the office to eat.

4. Attend work events

While it may be tempting to leave work once the day ends, attending work events allows you to show that you care about the company. These events can allow you to get to know coworkers that you have never met and can give you a new insight as to where you may be able to advance within the company. You will also have the opportunity to network with people who may be future coworkers. Attending events that are not required, especially as an intern, shows that you are serious about your career and your position within the company.

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