10 Ways To Establish Your Personal Worth At Work As A Recent Grad
So you just graduated, and now you're ready to start your career. Congratulations!
You're here, you're woke, and you're ready to make your mark on the world. But before you can start crushing it in the workplace, you need to establish your personal worth.
So what exactly is personal worth? It's the value you place on yourself, your skills, and your abilities. It's the belief that you have something to offer the world and that you deserve to be compensated fairly for your work.
And why is personal worth so important? Because it affects everything from your job search to your salary negotiations. If you don't believe in your worth, no one else will either. That means you'll be less likely to get the job you want, and you'll be less likely to be paid what you're worth.
How do you actually establish your personal worth? Here are 10 tips to do just that, in a way that's totally doable (no office politics and ish).
- Take initiative
- Be your own cheerleader
- Embrace the learning curve
- Predict the future (kinda)
- Master the art of communication
- Goals, goals, goals!
- Show, don't tell
- Build trust like a pro
- Become a problem-solving ninja
- Compassion is key
1. Take initiative
In the past, it was enough to just show up to work and do your job. But in today's competitive workplace, you need to be more than that.
You need to be a self-starter who takes initiative. This means coming up with new ideas, taking on new projects, pointing out problems, and pitching potential solutions – going above and beyond what's expected of you. Yes, you can’t just do the bare minimum. You have to step up.
2. Be your own cheerleader
No one else is going to care about your career as much as you do. So it's important to be your own cheerleader.
This means setting goals for yourself, tracking your progress, and celebrating your successes. Remember that without having goals to go after, you’re aimless! That’s a very easy trap to fall into but if you do, your growth will be stunted.
It also means being open to feedback and learning from your mistakes. If they aren’t giving feedback, ask for it. Seek it out! Smart people who are worth getting to know LOVE people who seek out and engage with their thoughts.
3. Embrace the learning curve
When you're first starting out, you're going to feel like a fish out of water. But that's okay! Everyone feels that way at first. The important thing is to embrace the learning curve and be open to new experiences.
Ask questions, take on new challenges, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. But if you do end up goofing, own that shit up and come up with the next steps and show them your improvement plan.
4. Predict the future (kinda)
One of the best ways to stand out in the workplace is to be proactive. This means anticipating your company's needs and taking care of things before they even ask. How do you do that? It's simple.
Listen in. When someone's talking about what they're working on, don't just tune them out. Actually, hear them out. That's how you'll know what's going on.
Ask questions. If you're not hearing anything, ask. Questions like, "Hey, I heard the sales department revamped their ticket QA system. Can you tell me more about that?" Not only will this build your rep, but it will also give you insight into things you didn't know you needed insight into.
It also means being able to think ahead and plan for the future. So be a strategic thinker and start by prioritizing what you need to do now vs what needs to be done in the future.
5. Master the art of communication
Speaking of asking questions and listening, communication is key in any workplace. But it's especially important for grads like you, who are used to communicating in a more informal way.
Make sure you're clear and concise in your communication. This includes things like always being on time for meetings and if you’re not going to be - giving the attendees a heads-up about the delay. Discipline >>>
6. Goals, goals, goals!
It's not enough to just show up to work and do your job. You need to have clear goals that you're working towards. This will help you stay motivated and focused, and it will also help you track your progress.
Got KPIs and OKRs listed down for you? Great. Don’t wanna subscribe to a framework, that’s fine! List them down and give yourself deadlines. Then all you gotta do? Crush them and take responsibility for your work.
7. Show, don't tell
Don't just talk about what you can do. Show your boss what you're capable of. Deliver results, exceed expectations, and showcase your true potential.
When you consistently prove your worth, you'll be on your way to success. Be that green flag your boss needs you to be!
8. Build trust like a pro
Trust is essential in any workplace relationship. But for Gen Z-ers, it's especially important. This is because we're used to working in a more collaborative and transparent way.
Make sure you're trustworthy, reliable, and dependable. That means if you say “I’ll get this done by Friday” - you better be getting it done by Friday!
When people can rely on you, it will help you build strong relationships with your boss and colleagues.
9. Become a problem-solving ninja
No workplace is without its problems. But the best new recruits are the ones who can turn problems into opportunities.
When you see a problem, don't just complain about it. Be proactive and offer solutions. This will show your boss that you're a valuable asset who can think outside the box.
10. Compassion is key
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, it's important to remember that showing compassion will put you on a different level than your peers.
Be kind to your boss, colleagues, and customers. Don’t just small-talk for the sake of it! Ask them about their day and life because you actually wanna know. Show that you care about their needs and their well-being. This will help you create a positive work environment for everyone and become a better human yourself.
Following these tips will help you establish your personal worth at work and set yourself up for success in your career. So get out there and show the world what you're made of!