I wou
ld like to welcome Lori Cherry, our very own That's Good HR staff member, to our blog. Lori manages all of our front office operations. She is the smiling face that you see when you walk into our office and the happy voice you hear on the phone when you call. She takes care of a whole host of very important tasks in between as well. To learn more about Lori, read my blog post singing her praises. Lori never hesitates to take on additional work when needed, regardless of how far outside of her job description it might be. Always willing to pitch in, Lori never misses an opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience. I asked Lori to write a blog post about this concept that may be foreign to some and familiar to others. So....here you go! Lori's take on the subject follows.
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How does your job title or job description define your work ethic? Too many workers use their job description as a checklist of duties to complete and that is where they feel their responsibility ends. Considering the economy we find ourselves in, it is vital that employees have the ability to wear more than one hat – vital to the employer and to the employee.
Why is it vital to your employer? Obviously, these are tough times. Many companies cannot afford to have several workers who only take on the minimum. Employers are looking for employees who are willing to go the extra mile and who desire to grow within the company. They want to see that you demonstrate your loyalty through rolling up your sleeves and getting the work done regardless of what your job description might be.
Why is it vital to you as an employee? With every extra responsibility you take on, you enhance your experiences and your resume, which will greatly help you when you move on to your next position. Not only that, but you also add to your own bank of knowledge. It is like having access to free on the job training, why in the world would you say no?
Working in a small company, I’ve had the opportunity to try my hand at several different things. I’ve processed payroll, handled the company’s accounts receivables and pre-screened candidates over the phone – none of which are listed on my job description. I happened upon these extra responsibilities either by asking for extra work or taking on someone else’s work while they were out of the office. These may not have been things that I loved doing, but overall, just having that exposure has made me a more well-rounded employee. Now when the payroll manager is out for a couple days, I can help answer questions people may have regarding their pay check. Or when the accounting clerk is out for the week, I can do some of her duties so that she isn’t behind when she gets back.
Here are some quick and easy tips:
DO:
DON'T:
ld like to welcome Lori Cherry, our very own That's Good HR staff member, to our blog. Lori manages all of our front office operations. She is the smiling face that you see when you walk into our office and the happy voice you hear on the phone when you call. She takes care of a whole host of very important tasks in between as well. To learn more about Lori, read my blog post singing her praises. Lori never hesitates to take on additional work when needed, regardless of how far outside of her job description it might be. Always willing to pitch in, Lori never misses an opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience. I asked Lori to write a blog post about this concept that may be foreign to some and familiar to others. So....here you go! Lori's take on the subject follows._______________________________________________________________________
How does your job title or job description define your work ethic? Too many workers use their job description as a checklist of duties to complete and that is where they feel their responsibility ends. Considering the economy we find ourselves in, it is vital that employees have the ability to wear more than one hat – vital to the employer and to the employee.
Why is it vital to your employer? Obviously, these are tough times. Many companies cannot afford to have several workers who only take on the minimum. Employers are looking for employees who are willing to go the extra mile and who desire to grow within the company. They want to see that you demonstrate your loyalty through rolling up your sleeves and getting the work done regardless of what your job description might be.
Why is it vital to you as an employee? With every extra responsibility you take on, you enhance your experiences and your resume, which will greatly help you when you move on to your next position. Not only that, but you also add to your own bank of knowledge. It is like having access to free on the job training, why in the world would you say no?
Working in a small company, I’ve had the opportunity to try my hand at several different things. I’ve processed payroll, handled the company’s accounts receivables and pre-screened candidates over the phone – none of which are listed on my job description. I happened upon these extra responsibilities either by asking for extra work or taking on someone else’s work while they were out of the office. These may not have been things that I loved doing, but overall, just having that exposure has made me a more well-rounded employee. Now when the payroll manager is out for a couple days, I can help answer questions people may have regarding their pay check. Or when the accounting clerk is out for the week, I can do some of her duties so that she isn’t behind when she gets back.
Here are some quick and easy tips:
DO:
- Take your job seriously: No matter how small or insignificant you may think your job is, it is still your job and it is important. Take some ownership over it and give it your best, every day.
- Use some initiative: During any down time you may have, look for other things you can do. Don’t wait to be asked to do every single thing throughout your day.
- Realize that a job title is just a job title: It does not define you as a person or as an employee. It merely states the basics of your role in the company, not all that you’re capable of.
DON'T:
- Assume your employer doesn’t have opportunities for growth: It may not be clear right away, but in most companies, there is room for advancement and growth. If you find that there’s another department you’re interested in learning more about, ask your supervisor if you can get involved.
- Settle for mediocrity: If you’re unhappy in your role for whatever reason, talk to someone about it. That’s what supervisors and mentors are for. Good ones will take you seriously and find a way to let you try new things.
- Take on too much: Remember that you do have responsibilities that are yours alone. Be sure you don’t get overwhelmed with other things and let your role take a backseat.
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