Career Skills

Positive Work Ethic

● The most important trait of an ethical person is honesty. As an ethical employee,
your employer expects you to work the number of hours you say you will work.
● You need to protect confidential information that comes your way when you join the
organization. You should avoid sharing this information with other employees, either
while working or talking with them.
● Being dishonest or unethical can tarnish your reputation. This may hinder your
career prospects and growth.
● If it concerns a potential customer, you can choose not to pursue the matter. If it’s a
coworker, you can talk to the individual and, if required, report the matter to your
supervisor. If it concerns your supervisor, you’ll need to report the matter to higher
management, but with caution.
● Cooperativeness: As a new entrant in the organization, you may have to perform
tasks outside your job description. Your employer expects you to work in harmony
with others and follow directions. Your employer also expects you to express a
positive attitude while performing these tasks.
● Willingness to learn and follow instructions: This trait involves having an open
mind and the ability to learn new ways of doing things. Every organization has
particular ways of performing tasks. Most of the time, you will have to learn these
methods by listening to others carefully and taking notes. If you do not understand
the instructions, ask questions and demonstrate your willingness to learn.
● Taking the initiative: Your employer expects you to be active in the workplace. You
should take constructive steps to complete a task or fix a problem without requiring
instructions to do so.
● Loyalty: Employers value finding this trait in their employees. Your employer
expects you to display loyalty in times of crisis. You can display loyalty by working
overtime (which may be unpaid), identifying solutions to problems instead of
criticizing management, and remaining at the organization when it needs you the
most.
● Willingness to take on responsibility: Employers value people who are willing to
take on additional responsibilities. Your employer will empower you with additional
responsibility if you display accountability for your actions.
● Self-management skills: Employers prefer employees who work towards improving
their performance and building strong careers. They value people who can monitor
their own work and improve their performance by taking feedback from coworkers
and supervisors. By knowing your career goals and creating plans to achieve them,
you demonstrate the foundation of self-management skills.
Work Habits
● Attendance: Your employer expects you to attend work regularly and avoid leaves
as much as possible. If you cannot make it to work for genuine and unavoidable
reasons, you need to inform your supervisor in advance so the company can
reassign your work. Attendance also means staying late at work to complete tasks if
and when required.
● Punctuality: Punctuality means fulfilling your commitments on time or in
advance—this quality is essential in the workplace. Showing up late for work on a
regular basis will leave a negative lasting impression in your boss’s mind, which in
turn can affect your rating during your appraisals. Punctuality also means delivering
your work on time. By being punctual and adhering to deadlines, you prove that you
are a reliable employee.
● Flexibility to learn new skills: The world is changing at a quick rate, with many
advancements taking place even as you read this lesson. With time, your job profile
will also change. Your employer will expect you to continue completing your tasks
efficiently. To survive in the job market, you will need to remain competitive by having
a flexible mind, one that is always open to learning. You can enhance your
knowledge and skills by attending training and development programs arranged by
your employer or privately, on your own. To develop your skills, you can even take up
certification courses related to your job, attend workshops and seminars, and so on.
By adding new skills to your existing skill set, you become a more valuable asset to
your organization.
●