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As students are eager to begin a successful career after college, it is very essential they know how to interact with coworkers in their work environment. According to Susan Solovic, co-founder and CEO of SBTV, and author of three books, “It’s a social environment as well as well as a work environment. However, you must remember: While you can be friendly and develop a good rapport, business is business and friendship is friendship.” That is to say, socializing with coworkers is all well and good, however, there are certain topics that are not appropriate for discussion in a work environment.
To help maintain a steady and successful career after college, here are some things you should never say or converse in the workplace:
1. “That’s not my job.”
It is only inevitable that you will be asked to perform tasks that are not necessarily part of your job. If someone asks for your assistance, take it as an act of commending. They obviously esteem your skills and trust that your input will be beneficial in completing the task. Not only will this help you to enhance other skills, but it will also earn you respect from other workers. After all, you never know when you might need help from your colleagues. Plus, your boss will admire and appreciate your willingness to exceed the bare limit.
2. “Sure, I’ll help you with that.” (With a phony smile stuck on your face.)
Do not offer your help to someone and then complain about it later. Your help is as good as no help if you take on a task, but don’t really want to. Moreover, don’t tell someone you’re going to help them if you really do not have intentions on doing so. You’ll earn a reputation as someone who is unreliable. Your coworkers depend on you, so your decision to not follow through affects their work performance as well.
3. “I’ve never gotten a raise, EVER.”
Increased salary is usually based on efficiency. Asking your boss for a raise based on how long you have been working there is only telling them you want more money - not that you deserve it. Instead, evidence your desired raise is hard-earned.
4. “I’m so sick of working here.”
Endless whining about your workload, levels of stress, or even the company, will quickly make you the person nobody wants to be around. Certainly you will not be wanted there if people see that you don’t want to be there. If you don’t concur with company policies and procedures, address it with your boss or just move on. This is why it is extremely important to make sure a career is really fit for you before you begin working.
5. “I got so wasted last night.”
Whatever you do outside of work is your own business. Sure, it’s perfectly fine to have fun, but do not brag about your drunken escapades to your boss. Your boss may or may not be impressed due to the fact that you’ve showed up to work despite still suffering from a horrendous hangover. However, it certainly means nothing if you spend precious time reminiscing about your activities, rather than doing your job. More importantly, sharing such information will make you look unethical and unreliable.
6. “I don’t have time for that.”
If your boss asks you to do something, it most likely isn’t an option. If your main concern is not being able to complete the task on time, it is very important you’re honest and tell this to your boss. Explain your busy schedule, and how if given the opportunity to rearrange some projects, you can accommodate for the request.
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July 13, 2009 1:08 pm
I fully believe that anyone who went to college should know better than to commit any of these major no-nos on the job.
If they don't know any better and did commit one or more of these, then I would put it to stupidity or immaturity. In both cases, college nor life experiences can help them.
But the reminder is fabulous. :)
July 13, 2009 1:09 pm
I agree with all 6 of these, especially with number 5. I associate with a bunch of other younger employees at my work and every Monday we converse about our weekend. Just hearing it come out of peoples mouth just makes me judge those people based on those weekend experiences. While I am probably 100x worse when it comes to my partying activity on the weekends, I hae made it a chore to keep the stories PG in the workplace.
Helping out people with other tasks is a great thing,b ut dont let people take advatnage of you just b/c you are trying to get ahead. More senior people love dumping stuff on the new people, dont be another rung in their ladder that they step on.
July 13, 2009 2:10 pm
#5 is interesting. Depending on who your boss is, they might actually be impressed how many tequilas you knocked down on a tuesday night. I've seen it go both ways. I think it's more important to find out what "the thing" is at your work. Does everyone in your office talk basketball? football? Does everyone run/cycle on the weekends? Are they all fans of some reality tv show? Whatever it is, you'd do best to familiarize yourself with that so you have some good small talk and plenty in common with your boss and your more senior colleagues.
July 13, 2009 5:05 pm
These are great tips.
The only thing I would add is a clarification to #1. While it is bad to say "that's not my job' as a knee-jerk reaction, don't let yourself get roped into too many things that aren't your responsibility.
It's OK to help out occasionally, but when you are approached over and over to perform some duty that really should be on someone else's plate, you'll need to take steps.
Be sure to clarify with your boss what your responsibilities are. Share any concerns, such as the impact on your other work, you concern about your ability to do the task, or the fact that it may be more effecient for so-and-so (whose job it may actually be) to do the task themselves.
But say this in the nicest way, with only concern for the speed and quality of the work, not because you're trying to ditch something you don't want to do.
July 13, 2009 8:32 pm
What should you do if a supervisor from another department asks you to do something for them? Do you perform the task or tell them you have to ask your boss first?
July 13, 2009 10:09 pm
@Scott: It's definitely important to avoid "scope creep" if it prevents you from your core responsibilities. Remaining flexible and helpful is important to a degree, and your advice when asked to overperform is SPOT ON. If you have more workplace tips, you should write a guest post for our blog, http://blog.brand-yourself.com.
@Miles: Great advice: "Whatever it is, you'd do best to familiarize yourself with that so you have some good small talk and plenty in common with your boss and your more senior colleagues." For instance, taking thirty minutes to learn baseball lingo and a few key stats can be all the social lubricant you need to deepen your rapport with your boss, without risking friday night tequila stories.
@Jon: When asked by the supervisor of another department to do something for them, do what my CTO does. Say: "I'd be happy to, just tell me which of the 1,000 items on my to do list I shouldn't do." At that point, they'll understand. If they don't get the message, then do tell them you have to run it by your boss.
- Pete Kistler
CEO, Brand-Yourself.com
Keep in touch: @brandyourself and @pete_kistler
July 13, 2009 11:05 pm
You would think most of these things are common sense, but so many college graduates enter the workforce and think the workplace should revolve around them. It's nuts! These are great tips.
July 13, 2009 11:25 pm
Totally i agree with all 6 of these tips
Thanks
Richard B
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