Q&A for How to Be a Good Employee

I find the best employees are the ones who have a passion for the job and its mission. Getting all of the work done is very important for every job, but to be a great employee, you have to show that you find joy in your work. When I notice that an employee has a connection that motivates them to go above and beyond, I think that makes them an even better person to work with.

Politely tell them that you don't know how to do it. They're there to provide you with the skill to do it. If you don't feel comfortable asking them, ask a co-worker.

Know how to talk to people and use good sales tricks. Look at what the other guys are doing. Always be in good mood and always smile.

Listen. Take it as a learning opportunity, not a reason to avoid the boss. Ask about how you can avoid this mistake in the future. Ask for more training if you need it. Don't get upset or emotional when your boss is mad, just listen to what they have to say, apologize, and tell them it won't happen again.

Open PowerPoint and start preparing. If you encounter any hurdles, get help from help menu or search it on the internet.

Try focusing on the tasks at hand. See where you can add value. Ask questions directly to your manager that build trust and show you stay on task and are focused.

Ignore them and simply do your work. When you must interact with them, be polite and civil. There will always be people you don't get along with. If you find this hostility makes it impossible for you to do your job, talk to your supervisor/management.

If it's a retail business, you can just walk in and ask if they are hiring. If they say yes, ask for an application, then fill it out and return it to them. If you're looking for work in an office/corporate environment, send an inquiry via email. Google "job inquiry letter samples" if you need help with this.

Don't let it get you down. Keep your head up and make jokes about yourself to show them it doesn't bother you.

Calmly explain to the person that you need to work together to do the job, regardless of your personal feelings on the matter. If they refuse, tell your boss that your partner is being uncooperative.

I would just point out to them that employers don't find it very endearing when you respond to constructive criticism with a bad attitude, and that that kind of behavior could easily get them fired, so they should avoid it if they want to keep their job (or any future jobs).

Keep researching for other jobs that are willing to someone with the skills you have. Apply to many as possible and be prepared for interviews. Keep in mind that you may have to settle for something like retail, fast food, etc. until things open up in your industry.

Continue to work hard towards completing all your assigned tasks; demonstrate you are a competent employee. Use formal performance counseling sessions to express your desire to learn new skills. If your company doesn’t have regular performance counseling periods, ask your direct supervisor for an informal performance evaluation; use this time to express your desire to advance to more challenging work.

Yes. Nail polish shouldn't affect your ability to do a job. Do consider the color and make sure it's appropriate for your workplace; in general, nudes and beiges are always appropriate, and other colors may be appropriate depending on the season. Avoid neon colors, as they may be considered unprofessional, depending on where you work. If you aren't sure what's appropriate, just look at the hands of the coworkers around you and use that as your guideline. Avoid having chipped or frayed polish, as that could be perceived as a lack of upkeep of your appearance.