Dubbed as the Queen City of the South for its strategic location and economic stability, Cebu offers the best of both worlds: the vibrancy and prosperity of city life and the beautiful scenery and laid-back vibe of provincial life. No wonder more and more young professionals, especially from other parts of Central Visayas, are looking for Cebu jobs or vacancies rather than taking their chances in Metro Manila.
Perhaps you’ve just landed your first ever job after months of sending out resumes and attending interviews for some of the top companies in Cebu City. If so, congratulations are in order. Whether you’ll start working in a call center firm, a manufacturing company, or any other type of business, you’ve been given a remarkable opportunity to earn a living and gain valuable experiences that can help build your long-term career.
That said, you better make the most of your new job. To help you out, here are several pointers that you may want to consider to prepare for your new role and the challenges you’ll face in the world of work:
- Never Hesitate to Go the Extra Mile
Make sure to have an achiever’s mindset from the get-go. Achievers are proactive. They don’t wait for things to happen; they make things happen. As such, avoid being idle. If your immediate superior is too busy to teach you the ropes on your first day, find ways to learn on your own.
For starters, read your department’s operations manual if it has one. If you’re still lost, you can ask other employees what you need to know, or observe your workmates and take notes of how they do things. You can even research some tips and tricks online. If you receive a task, aspire to exceed your manager’s expectations rather than just doing average work.
More importantly, accept all assignments with a positive attitude. Keep in mind that every experience is an opportunity to learn and prove your character. For instance, if your boss asks you to organize documents, don’t grumble and view the task as something beneath you. Instead, see the situation as a chance to show off your filing skills. You can, for example, create a system that will help your superior and other users find each document quickly. By going the extra mile, you’ll communicate that you’re reliable, efficient, and an asset to any team.
- Admit That You Have Much to Learn
Although you may feel enthusiastic about showing off your skills and proving your worth, you should also acknowledge that you’re a newbie who still has a lot to learn. Instead of acting like a know-it-all, be honest if you don’t understand certain instructions or assignments. If you’re unsure about something, don’t be afraid to ask questions or confirm important details. Don’t worry about looking like a rookie. Nobody expects you to perform your role perfectly during your first few months.
By asking the right questions and seeking help whenever necessary, you’ll learn how to do your tasks more quickly and efficiently. You’ll also better understand your specific duties and responsibilities as well as the dynamics of your team.
Whenever you ask for clarifications or further details, make sure to remember all the information given to you. Better yet, write them down on paper to avoid asking about the same things repeatedly. The last thing you want is to give people the impression that you can’t work without constant supervision.
- Take the Time to Make Friends
As a working professional, you’ll be spending most of your waking hours in the office. That being said, your time at work can become more enjoyable if you can make friends with your co-workers.
According to a survey conducted by an international employment website company, one of the primary drivers of work satisfaction and happiness among Filipino workers is their relationships with their colleagues. As such, make an effort to reach out to your peers. You can start by wearing a smile and greeting everyone you pass by on your way to your workstation. Also, don’t pass up invitations to after-work dinners or birthday celebrations whenever possible, as these are valuable opportunities to get to know your colleagues outside of the office.
- Create a Good First Impression
While it may take a while before you can impress your employer and workmates with your excellent performance, it’s never too early to start earning their respect. If you want to appear professional, diligent, and responsible, show them these qualities through your actions. Dress appropriately, show up on time, limit your personal calls or chats during office hours, and work hard. More importantly, always treat everyone with respect, regardless of rank and position. Over the long run, your consistent effort and healthy attitude will pay off and earn the trust and confidence of those around you.
- Be Positive
Always show up at work with a smile on your face. In general, positive people are considered more pleasant to work with and bring good energy to their teams. That’s why you should do your best to maintain an optimistic attitude at work. Choose your words wisely, avoid gossip, don’t complain about every little thing, and stay enthusiastic and cheerful, especially during stressful times. If you always find ways to focus on the good in every situation, you’ll undoubtedly become everybody’s favorite workmate.
Following the suggestions above will make for a more worthwhile and satisfying work experience for you. These pointers will also steer you in the right direction so that you can build a successful career in the long term. That said, be sure to keep these tips in mind as you begin your exciting and challenging professional journey.
