With more ways to apply for work now than ever before, it’s no surprise that some job seekers are left wondering about digital etiquette and best practices. If, like most people, you are conducting your job search online, check out Manpower’s tips to help enhance your results and land that next great opportunity:
Email is such a fast, convenient method of communication, and more and more employers are getting on board with accepting applications via social media as well. While these methods of communication may feel more casual in some ways, it’s important to recognize that all communication with a potential employer should be conducted professionally, regardless of whether it is occurring digitally or not. Avoid the use of emojis, unnecessary abbreviations, and of course, vulgar language. Maintaining a professional tone and ensuring proper spelling and punctuation will bring you one step closer to making a great first impression that leaves the company wanting to know more.
When applying for work, try to send your resume in PDF format if possible, unless the company has specified a different preferred format. Depending on the word processing software you use, people may or not be able to access the documents you send them. Adobe Reader is standard software for most businesses, so sending a PDF will ensure that your application can be opened. Providing an accessible resume from the get-go will help speed up the process for you, because you won’t have to worry about emailing back and forth to provide alternative formats.
You have a right to post what you want and talk about what you want on your personal social media profiles – but that doesn’t mean that highly controversial, raunchy, or explicit content doesn’t have the potential to negatively impact your professional reputation or affect a potential employer’s perception of your professionalism. When you are looking for work, it’s a good idea to clean up your profiles to avoid content that you wouldn’t want seen by a supervisor, coworker, or potential employer. If you’d rather not delete the content, simply adjust your privacy settings so that only your friends or people you give permission to can see what you share.
While advances in technology have enhanced our job search options in many ways, it has also opened us up to increased risk. Scammers may post illegitimate job opportunities or pretend to be a representative of an established company in attempts to phish for your personal data. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself. When evaluating job advertisements that you’re considering applying to, be on the lookout for anything that doesn’t seem right – improper spelling or grammar, unofficial email addresses, or links that don’t appear to be affiliated with the company are common red flags.
Be cautious when responding to individuals that approach you about opportunities you did not apply for, and be sure to do some research and verify their legitimacy before providing any kind of information. If you’re not sure whether an opportunity is legitimate or not, reach out to the company directly using contact information provided on an official website – not the email or phone number provided by the person who reached out to you. Trust your instincts – if something doesn’t feel right or the facts aren’t adding up, do not respond, click suspicious links, or download any unexpected attachments.
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Establishing healthy and professional boundaries in the world of work is a critical component to long-term success for both companies and employees. Having boundaries in place sets a strong foundation for a productive, safe, and respectful work environment for all.
In addition to respecting boundaries that the organization sets such as job limitations, where to park, off-limit areas, chain of command, and any general policy – it is also necessary to be mindful of interpersonal boundaries set by those we work with.
Some of the most important boundaries you have as an employee are those which your job description outlines. What this means is that it is important for all team members to (within reason) stay in our professional lanes. For example, unless you were hired to manage people, you need to refrain from acting like someone’s manager by questioning their whereabouts or level of performance. This also means when working as a team to effectively share the workload and not try to control it all. A respectful work environment is one where we can all chip in and help others when appropriate or provide feedback as a way to support – but it also means that we need to be mindful of where those boundaries are and avoid crossing them.
One key to a successful and comfortable work environment for all is to speak and behave in a professional manner. The workplace is not an appropriate setting to ask intrusive & personal questions, tell insensitive or raunchy jokes, or engage in controversial conversations that are outside the scope of why you are there in the first place. When engaging in friendly conversation with fellow staff, always keep it professional. If the conversation steers into a direction that you feel crosses the line, politely acknowledge that perhaps this is not something that you wish to discuss in the workplace. Taking that approach allows you to clarify a boundary while also not putting the other person on the defensive.
Time in and of itself is a boundary. There is a set amount in a day and it is up to each person to make the most of it. Your work schedule is a finite amount of time that you are supposed to be dedicating to accomplishing your job duties. This means during those hours your work should be your number one focus. The first step in practicing good time management is to show up on time (every time) for your scheduled shift. While you are working limit distractions, focus on your work, and be respectful of other people’s time. Minutes matter, so work to be mindful of how you are spending yours and how you may be affecting others.
Your employee handbook is a tool for your long-term success at any company. Make sure you are taking the time to read through your employee handbook as soon as you receive it. Doing so will ensure that you are familiarizing yourself with any policies and boundaries your employer has set and expects you to follow. When reading through this employee guide, you should make special note of any rules being set and write down any questions that you may have so you can seek out clarity from your supervisor. Once you have read through the manual, be sure to put it somewhere that you will be able to access it later should you have any questions. Keep in mind that company policies will evolve over time and the company may update them and notify staff – be sure to read and save any updates you receive.
Unspoken or unclear boundaries do no one any favors. We are not suggesting that you have a list of personal boundaries that you cover with all of your co-workers, but you need to know what your boundaries are and be able to openly and honestly communicate them as needed. For example, let’s say you do not want to get caught up in workplace gossip or politics. If you find yourself in a conversation where gossip comes up, politely tell them you do not want to participate in that kind of discussion and try to steer the conversation in a more appropriate direction. If your attempts to redirect are unsuccessful, politely remove yourself from the discussion.
Setting boundaries and being prepared to address violations does not have to be confrontational. A best practice once you identify your boundaries is to ensure you follow them consistently. If you violate your own boundary by gossiping about another co-worker it will create confusion and conflict. Be confident, be respectful, and be consistent.
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Setting healthy boundaries can be a difficult exercise for even the most seasoned professional. We all want to build strong relationships in the workplace but also must ensure that we don’t overstep or contribute to an uncomfortable or unproductive environment.
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Respect Personal SpaceEveryone has different needs regarding their personal space. Even with the best of intentions, doing things like standing too closely, handling someone’s personal belongings, or touching someone without permission – even just a pat on the shoulder or touch of the arm – could leave someone you work with feeling like their personal physical boundaries have been crossed. Be mindful and considerate of other people’s boundaries to ensure a comfortable work environment for your entire team. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Follow The RulesMost companies have detailed rules and policies about what is acceptable and unacceptable in the workplace. These are clear boundaries that have been established to create a safe, fair, and productive setting where employees can be effective in working towards common goals. It is your responsibility to follow these rules and do your part to support a culture of success. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Respect People’s TimeThere’s a lot to do during the workday, and only so much time to do it – so in addition to managing your own time well, it’s important to respect the time of your teammates. Focus on completing your work in a timely manner so that others have what they need to be successful, and avoid being a source of unnecessary distractions – especially when people are feeling pressed for time. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Don’t Get Too PersonalIt’s natural to develop friendly relationships with the people you work with, but when professional boundaries get crossed and you divulge information that is too personal, it can negatively impact those relationships and create obstacles to success in the workplace. To avoid awkwardness and prevent your personal life from compromising your professional reputation, steer clear of oversharing. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
Click on the links below to access other tips we have shared throughout this series.
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Everything can be hacked, even the workplace. Manpower is ready to help you hack the world of work with some simple tips to thrive that will keep you moving in the right direction professionally.
The world of work runs much more smoothly when everyone works together – which is why every hiring manager looks for people who are cooperative team players. But what does being a team player look like in the workforce? Here are a few quick video tips covering some essential practices.
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Everything can be hacked, even the workplace. Manpower is ready to help you hack the world of work with some simple tips to thrive that will keep you moving in the right direction professionally.
The world of work runs much more smoothly when everyone works together – which is why every hiring manager looks for people who are cooperative team players. But what does being a team player look like in the workforce? Here are a few quick video tips covering some essential practices.
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They say “teamwork makes the dream work,” and the world of work is a classic example of how that can play out. When people within an organization work together, chances are the entire business will be overwhelmingly successful. However, when people within a company are looking out for ‘number one,’ instead of the whole, results are stifled.
Every employer wants to hire people that can work well as a team, here are simple ways that you can demonstrate that you are a team player.
Successful companies are clear about their goals and share those goals with everyone in their employ. Every job within that company has been designed to help achieve those goals and support the mission. When you recognize that you share the same goals and are all playing your part in working towards them, amazing things happen. Teams that work on shared goals in a cooperative way are going to be more successful, experience less drama and conflict, and have increased job satisfaction.
There are going to be people that you work with that you may not connect with on a personal level, and that is perfectly okay. What is not okay is allowing personal differences to impact how you work with someone. Personal differences and personality conflicts must get checked at the door. You don’t have to be friends with everyone you work with, you don’t have to connect with everyone on social media, but you must respect diversity in the workplace and recognize the value that diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and belief systems bring to the team.
When you accept a job offer, you are making a commitment to the company and agreeing to perform your job to the best of your ability, each and every day. It is up to you to do your part. This requires that you work to effectively manage your time, eliminate distractions, ask for help if you are falling short in any areas, and communicate with those relying on you if you are unable to meet your commitments. It is incredibly empowering to own your own performance and results.
Every person in the organization, from the one who is responsible for keeping the bathrooms clean and free of germs, the parking lot free of hazards, the person ordering the supplies, working on the backend of your website, to the one sitting at the helm planning the future – brings tremendous value and their work is important. All work is noble, and each person should feel good about how they contribute to the whole – and anyone who discounts another’s value is doing a disservice to the organization. Take the time to thank the people you work with – your sincere gratitude will be well received and greatly appreciated.
There will be times when you are on the receiving end of critical feedback, or perhaps you are the one providing the feedback – either way, avoid making it personal. This is one of the hardest things for people in the workforce. Giving and receiving critical feedback is not an enjoyable task, but it is important for professional growth. When discussing feedback, all involved must keep it professional and have the mindset that feedback is intended to be helpful. No matter how amazing a person is, there is always room for growth – check egos at the door and see feedback as a positive action designed to help.
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All employers are looking for employees that have the ability to work effectively as part of a team. Being a team player requires a firm grasp of what cooperation looks like in the workplace. Here are some simple tips to help you thrive in a cooperative fashion at work.
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Set Aside Personal DifferencesThere are going to be people you work with that you don’t connect with on a personal level, and that’s okay – you don’t have to be best friends with everyone. The important thing is that you are able to set personal differences aside and work together to achieve shared goals and support the company’s mission. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Follow Through With Your WorkWhen you work with a team, people are counting on you to see your duties through to completion. Everyone’s work is interconnected, so if you don’t do your part, you may be delaying the work of others and negatively impacting the team’s success. Completing your work in a timely and efficient manner will help keep the whole team moving in a productive direction. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Respect DiversityEach person and every department brings a unique value to the team. Different backgrounds, skills, and professional experiences contribute fresh perspectives, new ideas, and opportunities for innovation. Be respectful of the differences of others and recognize that while they may not always do things the way you would do them, their contribution is equally important. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Give Credit Where Credit is DueWhen you achieve a milestone at work or your department accomplishes a major goal, don’t forget all the other team members or departments that helped make it possible. Celebrating shared successes is great for morale and goes a long way in helping people feel respected, appreciated, and included. What workplace couldn’t use more of that energy? #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
Click on the links below to access other tips we have shared throughout this series.
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