This post originally appeared onThe Simple Dollar.
Thats about as entry level as you could get.
Shoveling and sifting dirt.
Heres the thing, though.
I was part of a team.
I had a role to play with that team.
That job sifting dirt was a pretty awful job, really.
My hands got callused.
I was often very bored with the work.
Look at it like a maple tree.
Its rough on the outside.
Have a Good Attitude
This job isnt your life.
Its an opportunitya stepping stone to something better.
Dont look at it as misery.
Look at it as the first step or two at the bottom of a giant staircase.
Look up, not down.
Dont grumble about some task you dont like.
Be positive in your interactions with others.
Smile, even if you have to force it.
How can you do that, though,if you literally hate your job?
Dont Idle
One of the worst things you might do at an entry-level job is waste time.
Dont stand around doing nothing.
Dont constantly check your phone when youre on the job.
If you dont have anything to do immediately, look for things to do.
What if you cant think of anything?
One thing you might always do is maintenance work on the things that you use.
Run through any checklists of things that need to be done.
The worst thing it’s possible for you to do is just stand around.
Not only does it make you look really lazy, it also makes the time pass slowly.
I did this out in front of everyone so there wasnt any meeting behind closed doors.
I asked about all kinds of details.
Where do I put the carts?
How full should the bins be?
I found that asking questions almost always led me to the best way of doing my job.
Eat a cheap meal when you arrive for your shift and when you leave.
Grab every event ticket thats available.
Get everything you’re free to.
There are a bunch of reasons for this, even beyond the obvious.
Another big reason thats often overlooked is that you gain a perspective on the product from the customers view.
If you play a role in figuring that out and making that happen, it benefits you, too.
Understanding the product is vital for maximizing an entry-level job.
Did they start with an entry-level job like yours?
How did they climb the ladder to their current perch?
Find people who have risen from your spot to great things and make those people into mentors.
Ask for their advice with difficult situations.
Ask for their suggestions on how to improve your chances of moving up.
The key part, though, is actually following that advice.
Hearing it is one thingputting it to work is what actually matters the most, though.
You might go home sweaty and nasty, but theres no reason to show up like that.
ensure your clothes arent wrinkled and arent falling apart.
Use plenty of deodorant.
Those people are loudly shouting, I dont want to be here and I dont take this job seriously.
Dont be that person.
Being punctual means no one else has to deal with those things.
The goal was simple:Never be late.
Be Reliable
If youre given a task thats actually reasonable to accomplish, accomplish it.
Finish the task to the best of your ability.
When youre called on to do something, do it without dispute.
Take on the new task and finish it to the best of your ability.
The truth is that the people up the chain from youwantminimal issues.
You get fewer lectures, you get a steady growth in respect, and they get an easier day.
If you have a task to do, do it well.
Do it so that others dont have to jump in and clean up your mess.
Avoid Negative Workplace Talk
Most workplaces have some amount of gossip and some amount of negative talk.
People love to complain about their situation and many people take glee in the trials and tribulations of others.
Its not surprising why this happensit can feel really good to vent.
However, theres a big negative consequence for participating in it.
For starters, the negative words you say can easily be carried to others.
A much better approach is to avoid the negativity entirely.
Dont say a negative word about coworkers or your job in the workplace.
Listen to what others are saying, but dont repeat it.
Dont contribute to it, either.
Instead, seek out other things to talk about and steer the conversation away from negativity.
It doesnt help anyone.
Instead, take minimal credit and share that credit with others.
Heres the reality of what happens when you do this.
Sharing credit wont change that.
At the same time, everyone loves to receive credit for their efforts.
Youre holding your coworkers up in a positive light and giving them credit.
That feelsgoodto almost everyone.
Those coworkers are going to appreciate you more than before as well.
When you give credit to others, you win with your supervisors and you win with your coworkers.
There is literally no drawback to giving credit where credit is due.
Some people work hard and do a good job, while others dont.
Some people keep their mouths shut, while others spew poison and report every infraction.
Dont worry too much about the negative people.
Dont make them into enemies, of course, but dont focus on them, either.
Instead, build relationships with the people who quietly do their job and do it effectively.
Those are the friends you want at work.
Build that relationship through positive conversations or conversations about non-work topics.
Help those people when you have the opportunity and dont expect something directly in return.
A strong relationship with the best employees in your workplace will constantly benefit you once theyre established.
What are they looking for?
What do you’re gonna wanna accomplish or to show to earn a promotion from within?
Whatever youre told, use it as a checklist.
Think Like a Customer, Always
In the end, every organization has customers that theyre serving.
Perhaps its people wanting to dine at your restaurant.
Maybe its people looking to buy tools at the hardware store.
Maybe its impoverished people looking to pick up food from the pantry.
No matter what, your organization has customers.
What can you do to give that customer the best experience without costing your business extra money?
you’ve got the option to keep the grill clean.
it’s possible for you to keep the food fresh.
you’re free to keep the shelves stocked.
you’ve got the option to answer customer questions and be as friendly as you possibly can.
When customers are happy, they come back.
When they come back, your business thrives.
Where do you want to go next?
Even more importantly, what kind of skills do you better go there?
Maybe its customer relation skills.
Maybe its time management.
Maybe its information management.
Maybe its some flavor of IT skills.
Then, when youre at work, put extra effort into honing those skills.
Theyre going to attack people and stab them in the back.
Theyre going to venture to tear down others.
Thats just their characternothing you’ve got the option to really do about it.
What you’re able to do, however, is not paint a giant bullseye on yourself.
Dont leave coworkers hanging.
Dont make their jobs more difficult.
Dont create any kind of conflict if you’re able to possibly avoid it.
Take your job seriously.
Use a customer-focused perspective on what you do.
Be reliable, be timely, be presentable, and dont idle.
Those things will pave the path to a much better future.
Image byLeremy(Shutterstock).
