Characteristics of a good employee

INDUSTRIOUSNESS

This means being conscientious, resourceful and productive. It shows that a person cares about the quality and quantity of the work he or she does. An industrious person does what he or she is paid to do and usually more. Keep personal problems at home. Remember that you are being paid to do a job and not to make personal phone calls, pay bills, read a book, etc.

ENTHUSIASM

An enthusiastic worker cares about the job, shows interest at work, and is positive.

PERSEVERANCE

This means following a course of action without giving up. If the job does not seem to be working out for you, ask for a job change within the workplace before you give up. Remember that your next employer will want to contact your previous ones, so be as cooperative as possible, even in your final days.

SHOWING INITIATIVE

This means looking beyond the immediate job, and when there is time, doing additional tasks and becoming a valued employee. It is suggesting improvements in work procedures. It is connected to industriousness and enthusiasm.

LOYALTY

Being able to identify closely with your company and believing in the products and services of the company for which you work is important. It can mean caring enough to work late at times when an important task or project needs to be finished. It also means not giving away confidential information or speaking negatively about the job or company to outsiders.

INDEPENDENCE

Being independent means being able to work on your own and to do the work without being closely supervised.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

This means being cooperative, getting along with others, and treating people with respect, consideration, and courtesy. It means being willing to do one’s fair share of the work, helping others when they are especially busy, being pleasant, friendly, and willing to cooperate as part of the team. Avoid coworkers who are negative about their jobs. Some people break the rules, waste time, or in other ways are not good workers. Although they may be fun to be with, try not to socialize with these people on the job. Your supervisor may find you “guilty by association.”