Boardroom basics for freshers
EVERY year thousands of students step into the world of real learning - the corporate world. The transition appears easy for a few, while for most it is a gruelling factor.
Often, improper transition leads to troublesome career crafting, leaving freshers as underperforming employees. In fact, it need not be so, if you keep in mind a few boardroom basics.
Sport an amiable demeanour
Enter the new workplace, and you would find the reception.
Express a warm greeting to the receptionist. He/she knows everyone at the place. She could help you with the office layout too.
Know the timings - arrival, breaks, departure.
Follow the 'Golden rule' - never be late
Dress the corporate way
The way you dress determines attitude and to a little extent your success on the job. So dress to make a positive impression.
Before joining, you could inquire about the dress code from your would be colleagues or simply, observe and learn.
Learn cubicle manners
Maintain a proper sitting posture.
Don't personalise your cubicle too much with your family photos and other little accessories during your probation period.
You could take your cell phone to work but remember to keep the ringer volume low yet audible to you. And, keep off those loud (in its figurative sense) and fancy ringtones. They distract the entire floor.
Keep your personal calls to the lowest possible number (read that as `zero') during the first few weeks.
Maintain personal space
It is good to interact but don't give out too much personal information about yourself too fast to everyone.
Find someone in your team/department who you can rely upon. Slowly network with others too.
Learn lunchtime lessons
Find out when everybody has lunch. Ask your colleagues to join you for lunch.
Keep your lunch to the lunch room for the first few weeks. It will help you know people from other departments too.
Use candor while talking
Maintain eye contact while talking.
Share ideas but keep your opinions to yourself during the first few months. You may try to know others' opinions however.
Keep yourself informed
Update your knowledge of business and competition by reading trade journals and magazines.
Ask your colleagues questions related to business. It would help you learn more about your company.
Never misuse workplace resources
Do not use office e-mail or surf the Internet for personal purpose.
Know your limitations
Be willing to help your team members in areas of your expertise, but more importantly, know when to say `no' and learn to say it.
You would do yourself a lot of good by doing so. Now isn't that quite simple? Why wait?
Allow your confidence take you to new heights.
BINDU MADHAVI
faqs@cnkonline.com
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