It's your first job and you have no clue how to get ahead. We list out a guide for you...

So, you've just started working and you still haven't been able to figure out how to conduct yourself in the new organization. We list out a few dos and don'ts so that it helps you in the long run.

What you need to keep in mind
Respect your co-workers: Having basic respect and regard for your colleagues is crucial. Not only will it help you work in union with them but also relieve you of the constant worry that someone is trying to bog you down.

Make new friends: Don't be stuck up. Instead try and socialise with everybody. You will have people of all age groups working with you, so don't restrict yourself to only being friends with those who belong to your age group. Sometimes those who are older and much more experienced than you are at a better stage of guiding you.

Differentiate between professional and personal problems: When you make friends at work, you will also deal with them on a personal level. But no matter how close you are to your colleague personally, never mix it up with something professional. Try to differentiate between the two, so that it does not land you in a professional soup.

Have regard for personal space: Remember that you are in a workplace and you need to value your colleague's space. For example, if you feel that a colleague is going through a personal dilemma, instead of asking them what's wrong, every now and then, wait for the time when your colleague approaches you or just gracefully ask him/her about the same, only when they are willing to talk about it.

Give and take instructions gracefully: Says Somdev Mukherjee, counsellor training and development, "When you are given instructions, instead of cribbing about it, take it up. It may open up a host of opportunities for you. If at all, you have some problems with the task assigned to you, talk it out with your immediate superior."

What you should be careful about
Limit the amount of personal conversations: You must remember that it is your workplace and you need to maintain your dignity. Don't become the object of ridicule, especially when it has something to do with your personal life. Be sure who you are sharing what with, you wouldn't want the whole office to gossip about you.

Don't be a whiner: There are many people, who keep complaining about the kind of life they have, cribbing about work etc. Stay away from such people. You may not realise immediately but talking negative at work or complaining about things becomes a habit in due course of time.

Address your seniors by name: Since you will be working with people of all age groups, chances are you might find yourself in a fix when you are working somebody who is as old as your parents. Says clinical psychologist and etiquette expert Pria Warrick, "Instead of calling those elder to you as 'uncle' or 'aunty', refer to them by their name or simply 'Sir' or 'Ma'am'. Since all offices these days have an open door policy, it is best to limit yourself by addressing them with their name."

Mind your own business: It is easy to get involved in office gossip and likewise but when you do, you end up realising that you have invited a host of problems at work. Keeping to yourself and minding your own business is better than talking cheap about somebody or rather talking about those who don't matter to you at all. You must understand that you are working for the company and you must invest your time in completing your assignments.

BDST: 1009 HRS, Aug-03, 2014