THE saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ implies that we should never judge a person by their outward physical appearance.
But it is natural for your colleagues to form their opinions about the kind of person you are based on initial impressions upon meeting you.
Problems might arise when they have a negative impression of you, especially if they turn into long-lasting perceptions that can impact your career trajectory and ultimately success in the workplace.
For that, it is important to remember that any first impressions you have made in starting your new job can be incredibly hard to reverse. Here are some basic things to creating a good impression at work.
Show up on time
The first thing you should do begins before entering the workplace – be on time, whether it is a 9-to-5 job or shift work.
Being punctual or early consistently shows that you are organised, you value your work, and you are considerate of other’s time.
The person whom you are relieving during shift work, for example, will appreciate your punctuality when you arrive before their shift ends.
Dress appropriately
It is true that you can create a good impression to your colleagues and employer by presenting yourself in appropriate attire.
It is especially essential to dress yourself well when your work involves meeting clients and business partners on a regular basis, as you are meeting with someone from outside the company.
Another reason why some companies impose a strict dress code is to offer a visual representation and therefore convey a message to other people the image of these companies through their employees.
Mind your manners
Knowing and practising proper office etiquette will help you make a good impression on anyone in the workplace.
Among the most basic is not using your phone when having a conversation with a fellow colleague.
Others include listening attentively during a conversation, avoiding uncivil manners towards any of your co-workers, and staying pleasant and friendly with others.
Face up to your mistakes
When making mistakes by accident, the first thing you should do is to admit what and how it happened.
Do not try to ignore it and place the blame on someone else; otherwise, it shows that you are unwilling to take full responsibility for an error that you actually made.
While your superior may be upset with you, how you handle it will influence people’s opinions of you much more than the mistake itself.
This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! – an initiative driven by Faradale Media-M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak – to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.