Based on what you learned about growing with your job in this chapter, answer
the following questions:
1. How should you prepare for the first day on the job?
I should prepare for the first day on the job by maintaining contact with
the company, reading material given carefully, and knowing who I need to
report to. As I maintain contact with the company, I can ask them if there is any
final paperwork to be completed so that it is ready. If the company gives me
material or literature describing the company, I should make sure that I read it
carefully. As I read it, if there is anything that I am unsure of, I can ask
questions then, so that I do not have to waste time asking them on my first
day. Another way I should prepare is be informed. By the time my first day
comes, I should know who and where I will need to report to.
2. What do you think are the most important adjustments to make within a new
company in the first 30 days? Why?
The most important adjustments to make within a new company in the
first thirty days are planning, time management, and organizational skills. As
the time that we are in the company increases, these skills are ones that we
will always need. Companies and the work given will always differ from one
another, so I think that adjusting planning and organizational skills are
important. Within the first thirty day, we are still adjusting and getting a hang of
things so adjust and improving those skills during that time would be best.
Another important adjustment to make is with our time management. Since it is
a new company, we have to learn to adjust and time things so that everything
can be completed. As I mentioned before, the first thirty days is where we get
the hang of things. Since we are still learning to adjust and get comfortable,
this time is where we can determine how our days and workload should go. We
can grasp an idea of what we will need to get done and start a schedule to
manage our time. We can make a rough timetable of when certain things will
be done, when we need to complete it by, how much time it’ll take, or when we
can set time off to organize other tasks.
3. What are some things you can do in a new job to make a positive first
impression on others?
Some things that I can do in a new job to make a positive first
impression on others are be prepared, remember names, dress professionally,
and be on time. I can prepare myself by doing some prior research on smaller
details, such as remembering names of those that I will work closely with.
Dressing professionally for the job/environment and being on time can also
make a positive first impression.
4. What kinds of questions are good to ask the first few weeks on the job?
Questions that are good to ask on the first few weeks on the job are:
Who should I contact first for questions or concerns?
What is your preferred method of communication?
Where should I look to find updated information and important
announcements?
How should I best integrate myself into the team and company?
Could you give me feedback on how I have been doing and what I can
improve on?
5. Are training programs only needed at large companies? Explain why or why
not.
I do not think that training programs are only needed at large
companies. I feel like any company of workplace should have some type of
training program. Smaller companies and workplaces may not need as big or
in depth of a training program as a larger company, but I do think that they
should offer the program as well. Training programs can help new employees
build skills, adjust to the workplace, and better understand what is
done/accomplished so I do not think that training programs are only needed at
large companies.
6. Describe a time when someone provided you informal training or mentoring?
Why was this helpful?
In all honesty, I think that a time when someone provided me with
mentoring was during the career interview with a professional. After the initial
interview, we continued talking about the career and my current journey during
college and it felt like she was mentoring me in a way. It was very helpful and I
was able to gain a lot from the interview. We were on a call for over two hours
and she gave me a lot of advice on the field and how I should continue my
schooling.
7. Why are periodic reviews and performance assessment important?
Periodic reviews and performance assessments are important because
it lets us know how we are doing and if we are on the right track. Having these
assessments and reviews periodically, especially when we are starting, can let
us know early on what our strengths and weaknesses are and how they are
changing. Since we will have them periodically, we can see how our strengths
and weaknesses have improved and changed. Have we strengthened our
weaknesses or weakened our strengths? They are also important because we
can take the time after each one to see what we can do differently or are doing
well.
8. What is the best way to handle yourself if you do not agree with your
performance review?
I think that the best way to handle ourselves if we do not agree with the
performance review is to stay calm and take a step back. There will be times
when we do not agree or like the review and I think that when that happens we
should stay calm. Rather than getting upset immediately, we should stay calm
and take a step back to consider what the review said. If we act rashly from the
beginning, we are not thinking straight and may make reckless decisions. We
can really think abut why our supervisor said that because we may not even
notice we did something until it is pointed out by someone else. After, if we still
do not agree, maybe we can go to our supervisor and have a calm and
professional conversation with them about why they think that way.
Performance reviews should help us learn and improve so we should take
them into consideration and learn how we can improve if we get one that we do
not agree with.
9. How can you develop positive professional relationships?
We can develop positive professional relationships by being respectful,
polite, and considerate. I think that the first step to developing positive
professional relationships is to be respectful and polite. It may be a relationship
with a boss, mentor, or colleague, but we need to make sure we treat them
with respect so that they can do the same to us. I also think that being
considerate of others. Work can get stressful and people may need to make
certain decisions for the better that we may not agree with so we should be
considerate of them and their circumstances. Simply, treat others the way you
want to be treated. If we treat them negatively, they will do the same to us. By
treating others in a positive manner where we respect and are considerate of
them, we can start developing a positive professional relationship.
10. List two strategies to achieve a promotion on the job.
Two strategies to achieve a promotion on the job are show
continuous improvement in different areas at work and to show your
desire to take on other responsibilities. Showing our continuous
improvement and desire for other responsibilities can should the
supervisor that we are ambitious to keep improving and be more
valuable and versatile to the company.
11. Describe a successful career move for you now and in your professional
career future.
A successful career move for me now and in my professional
career future is building my network by meeting professionals or those
that are knowledgeable about my career. I was able to meet a
professional and someone else that is very knowledgeable in my career
field. From them, I can learn about my career and the best steps that I
can take from here. I have learned about how I should proceed with
school and what I should do after I graduate so I think that it was a
successful career move for me to have met them.
12. Using your understanding from chapter content and your own words
define the concept of career resilience. Why is this concept so important for
your career future?
Career resilience is being able to adapt and develop in difficult
and challenging situations that will occur. This concept is important for
my career future because it can help me manage stress and overcome
difficulties. Building career resilience is also important because it means
that I can cope with difficult situations and complete my work because I
know how to overcome them. I won’t let the stress or challenges get to
me or bring me down.
References
Yena, D. J. (2020). Career directions : new paths to your ideal career. Mcgraw-Hill Education.