How to survive the workplace

taken from: http://www.howtodothings.com/careers/how-to-survive-the-workplace

After perfecting your resume and passing the nerve-cracking interviews, congrats! You're hired. But wait a minute, when you thought that the hard part is over, you are very wrong. In fact, the worst is yet to come. The workplace is like a jungle. As Charles Darwin described it, "It is the survival of the fittest."

Don't fret. Here are the ways you can survive-and in the long run, excel!

First, know your work. Easy, isn't it? You are hired to provide results-positive ones. During the orientation, take down every instructions needed in your task. Pay extra attention especially if the company's software or system is new to you.

During the turnover of work, make sure you ask questions whenever there are confusing terms or processes. Do not hesitate. Asking does not mean you are not intelligent. The person teaching you might have been doing the work for 2 or more years so it is easy for her.

For the first few weeks, just observe the people and the environment around you. Of course they're nice, but remember that you just met them. You can never really tell from the start if the people in the workplace are genuine. To help you with the adjustments, these are the following pointers to consider as well:
Culture - Is it like a family setting? Are they particular with their positions in such a way that there are invisible boundaries? Or is it a flat organization where you can call the Director by his first name?
Dress Code - Some companies allow jeans, while others issue 1st warning when one wears open toe shoes. It really varies.


Work Habits - Know if the company is strict on breaks. Always put on your calendar the schedule of the regular meetings and attend on time.

Email Protocols - Some are formal like, "Dear Mr. Castro", while others just use "Hi William"
Be pleasing to your boss. It's normal to get errands from bosses. Do not mind, but know the limits.

During meetings, listen first. Never interrupt someone when speaking. Think thrice before saying something. Remember, in front of you are your critics. You are the newbie-the new talk of the town. Once you blurt out nonsense, it will be known all over the workplace.

Be friendly to everyone-even with the secretary, the janitor and the telephone operator. Sooner or later, you will need their help

If you are curious about relationships in the office (like why is Mr. A not part of the lunch group, or why Ms. B is not speaking to Ms. C), let your co-workers bring it up. It's not proper to be nosy on other people's lives, especially when you are new.

Start and end your time in the office by praying or concentrating. Do not be wary of all the pressures around you. Do everything one step at a time and everything will fall into place.
Not too hard, right? Just follow this, and before you know it, you are already on top and successful!