From The Straits Times    |

There’s a first time for everything. But when it comes to your job, it pays to be prepared.

1. FIRST DAY OF WORK

Try to project a confident, enthusiastic and positive image. Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the company’s orientation session. Once you’ve settled into your cubicle or room, familiarise yourself with the layout of the office so you’ll feel comfortable in your new space. Avoid getting personal too soon with your new colleagues. Just be as professional and polite as possible. When lunch hour rolls around, casually ask your colleagues about places to eat in the area, and ask if they’d mind if you joined them. Take the initiative and don’t wait to be invited.

2. FIRST MAJOR PRESENTATION

Start preparing with the end in mind. What messages do you wish to share? Be clear so you don’t ramble or go off -point. Next, know your audience. Share what they need and want to know, and not what you want to share – there is a difference. Finally, find out how much time you have and prepare yourself accordingly. In the days leading up to the big presentation, do a couple of trial runs – try going through the full presentation at the real venue – to build your confidence and prepare beforehand for possible technical glitches.

3. FIRST DISAGREEMENT WITH YOUR BOSS

If you find yourself on the verge of an argument with your boss, calm down and listen to what she has to say. Ask yourself what she’s trying to tell you. What are the emotions behind her words? Can you reframe the situation so that it turns out positive? When voicing your opinions, be calm, speak clearly and back up your statements with solutions instead of just complaining. If you do lash out at your boss in a fit of anger, apologising after you’ve calmed down is the best way to reclaim your integrity. Privately explain that you were wrong to act on impulse and that you hope the incident will not affect your working relationship or her opinion of you. Speak clearly and assertively. Get her reassurance that the matter has been put to bed and then move on.

4. FIRST EMBARRASSING WORK MOMENT

You might have called an important client by the wrong name or accidentally copied your boss in an e-mail meant for your boyfriend. You will be seen as a person of integrity if you own up to your mistake, so don’t try to cover up or shift the blame. If the incident was minor, apologise, do your best to correct it and move on. If it’s appropriate, laugh about it. If it was major, look at your damage control options. For example, if the e-mail to your boyfriend was quite saucy, explain yourself to your boss. But no matter how bad the situation or how embarrassed you feel, one apology is enough. You don’t want people to think you have trouble letting go of whatever happened.

Expert advice from: Alka Chandiramani, principal consultant at Alvo Connexions, a career coaching and counselling company, and Paul Heng, founder and executive coach at Next Corporate Coaching Services.

This article was first run in the HerWorld magazine in March 2013. For more stories, check out herworldPLUS on Twitter [https://twitter.com/herworldPLUS], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sg.Herworld] & Instagram at @herworldPLUS [http://instagram.com/herworldplus]

Coach ID Lanyard
Now $75
Original price: $168
Shop Now
Jabra Elite 4 Wireless Earbuds
Now $88
Original price: $162
Shop Now
BaByliss Air Pro 2300
Now $63
Original price: $144
Shop Now
Abib Collagen Eye Patch
Now $19
Original price: $35
Shop Now