This brief PowerPoint presentation will provide you with tips for staying on track with your work term performance and may identify areas to improve during your work term
Enthusiasm and positivity go a long way. Act like you want to work there. In fact, act like you already got the offer and are a full time employee. If that’s your goal, then treat every day like a job interview. Every day is a chance to prove “you’re the one.”
We all have parts of the job that are less desirable than others. Don’t expect to love everything you do, and you won’t be disappointed.Say, “yes” when someone asks for your help. And say it with a smile!
Act without being asked.Make a suggestion if you see an opportunity.Pipe up with your ideas (thoughtfully) if you’re in a meeting or a conversation. Practice taking complete ownership for what you do, and how you do it.And if you miraculously find yourself with a blank to-do list, don’t sit at your desk and check Facebook; find somebody who’s slammed and offer to help before they even ask.
Write up a daily summary of your activities, and share it with your supervisor, in a conversation or email. You could also include a plan of action for the next day.When you do this, remember wherever possible to focus on RESULTS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS, rather than just a list of tasky stuff.Managers like to brag about their staff. If you give your supervisor the chance to brag about you, you’ll be nicely positioned as a recommended hire when they all sit down to compare co-op students.
Introduce yourself to people you don’t know, invite colleagues to lunch with you, and volunteer to do presentations where you might get exposure to more than just your immediate team. Attend company/team social events. We know that building relationships is core to your career pursuits. There’s no time like the work term to start!
When you walk into an organization as the “new” gal or guy, people will forget you don’t know how everything’s done. They just keep motoring along. You will need to ask questions.If you need to know about employee behaviour and how to act in the culture, ask someone to explain it to you. Ask about dress code, demeanor with customers, personal phone calls, rules for using social media, and where to park your car.Getting clear will help you feel more comfortable, and boost your confidence as you learn to navigate the organization!
No one can read your mind.If you desire to return or get a full time position with this organization, tell your supervisor, and the people you work with.Don’t assume that if you work hard someone will assume you want a job there. You need to tell them.Managers LOVE to hire employees who really want the jobs they have available. Your enthusiasm about returning or becoming a full time employee will make sure they know you really want to be there.
Start a Google Doc to track all the accomplishments and results you create while you're there.List all the projects you’re assigned to, and document what actions you took, and the impact you had on the project.Remember to focus on RESULTS, and not just activity. Also remember to QUANTIFY our work as much as you can.This is a great way to keep building your resume and LinkedIn profile content as well.
Feedback is a gift. And it can be intimidating to ask for it.If your boss doesn’t give you structured feedback, then you must sit down every couple of weeks and ask for input on how you’re doing, what you’re doing well and what you could improve upon.Also, don’t hesitate to ask team members on the projects as well.I find people who ask for feedback set themselves apart from the pack, as it wold be so much easier (and comfortable) not to.
As you near the end of our work term, take the initiative to plan a meeting with your supervisor to review your overall experiences and complete the evaluation.Review your accomplishment documents that you’ve been building. Restate your desire to return and express gratitude for the opportunity to complete your work term there.Giver your supervisor all the evidence he/she needs to make you an offer!
