Tips and best practices for the office
One of my younger cousins had graduated uni and landed his first IT job a little while back. He had asked me if I had any tips regarding how to work in an office environment. For instance, which applications to use to manage his projects, my opinion on the best IDE's (integrated development environment) to use for Java and PHP development, the best lightweight noise cancelling headphones to buy, etc … I told him he knows nothing and to shut up and listen. I gave him the following tips and practices to see him through his (office) life.
Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable
Get to the office at least 15 minutes early. It gives you time to switch on the PC, have a coffee, maybe even choke down a bacon and egg roll. More importantly, it gives you the best chance that you’re ready to start working no later than the official start time.
Nothing looks worse than coming in at 9 on the dot, switching on the PC and then walking down the road for a coffee.
Also, do not prepare to leave at the end of the day. Stop working at the end bell at the earliest, never start packing up before the day is officially done. People notice.
No shirt, no shoes, no dice
This is an office, not the beach, cuz. No havaianas, no shorts, no hawaiian shirts (unless it’s hawaiian shirt day). Conversely, it’s not a nightclub, keep the shiny leather pants, and blingy gold chains at home.
If you’re not sure if what you’re wearing is appropriate, ask yourself if you could wear this to church. Any church, ranging from Catholic to Methodist should do.
And, personal hygiene. If you have to ask ...
Work is called "work" and not "super happy fun time"
You can have a good time at the office, but remember you’re still there to do a job. Odds are you’re meant to produce something while there, and you’re being paid to do so, so do that.
Beware of the youtube, social sites, internet shopping black holes. These are some of the biggest distractions and time wasters out there. An hour can feel like 5 minutes. Before you know it, the day is over and you’ve got nothing to show for it. Don’t do it. Well… maybe sneak a peek during lunch, but that’s it!
Also, just because it’s not on your desktop screen doesn’t mean you’re not on it. Your mobile phone can provide all of those distractions and more these days. If you can, just put it away, or at least have enough self-constraint to only use it if it’s an important call, or again, at lunch.
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team… I don't know what he's talking about.
You are going to work with the people in your team, on your floor and in your building for 8 ish hours a day, 5 days a week, sometimes more. Work with them. Ask for their input as peers, offer to help when someone needs it (and provided you can spare the time), share a lunch.
Build bonds with these people, and your work life will be more rewarding when you find that you have a supportive environment that you’re a part of. Worst case scenario, you’ll have a few people to go down to the pub with after hours.
The Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television
Cursing in the office… don’t. Well, try really really hard not to.
I know it seems like a simple set of practices to work by, and it is! If you're new to the office life, this is a great start. If you've been around the block a bit, it wouldn't hurt to have a look at your current behaviours and how you might improve them.
~fin
