9 Ways to Bring Value to the Post-COVID Workforce
Have you ever been told you are a valuable employee? What does that mean? Some may see the person who gets to the office first and is the last to leave as valuable. Maybe it’s the person who makes their sales quota, successfully oversees a project and brings doughnuts to the staff meeting. The value a person brings to the job is a subjective measurement assigned by their hiring manager and colleagues. It is highly variable depending on the perspective of the person designating the value.
Business paradigms shifted as the COVID19 pandemic ushered in a dramatic and swift transition to remote work. No longer is there the usual office environment with colleagues near-by, break room lunches or the boss looking on each day. Although it was beginning to shift prior to the pandemic, the definition of an employee’s work value now is somewhat different. An employee’s value now isn’t just the objective, measurable qualities they bring to a position but also the intangible matter of their integrity.
No longer is a candidate or employee’s value linked as heavily to a company’s cultural fit especially as we are now at home working independently. Casual Friday is everyday when working from home! A candidate or employee’s values including attitude, character, work ethic, and accountability reveal to the employer the type of professional they will be as well as the benefit they bring to the company. A candidate’s core beliefs determine their behavior regarding a position, especially when no one is watching them.
In this COVID19 work-from-home world, here are 9 tips to ensure you bring value to your position:
Clear, concise communication.
a. Job expectations must be clearly understood between you and the hiring manager. Open, honest, transparent communication is necessary to assure you are on the same page. The same goes for co-workers on your team.
b. If you are interviewing for a job, specifically explain the steps you took to achieve the accomplishments stated on your resume. These specifics tell a story about you, your talents and innate values that simply stating a fact on a resume does not.
Initiative and creativity. Finding ways to be more productive and efficient makes you valuable. Research and share these with your manager and co-workers. Volunteer to be the project leader or instruct others on new technology. Going the extra step goes a long way to increasing your value.
Be a problem solver. COVID19 has us all inconvenienced and it’s easy to just whine and complain about it. Solving issues that are problematic to the team says a lot about your willingness to get things done no matter the obstacles and definitely brings value.
Job postings. The job posting for a position lists core values being sought by the company. During the job interview, speak pointedly to these values letting the hiring manager see that you meet the company’s stated needs. If possible give an example.
Patience and empathy. Continual Zoom meetings can make it difficult to relate to team members, so practice a little patience and empathy. We don’t know what is going on in other homes as far as virtual schooling and other family members working from home. Changes in weather affect wifi and that is the fault of no one. Patience and empathy goes a long way to exhibiting your value.
Timeliness. Be on time, ready to work for Zoom meetings. Turn in your work in a timely manner respecting the boundaries outlined by the company. Be accountable with your timesheets and company resources.
Embrace change. COVID19 has changed all of our circumstances. Embracing change and finding “the good” in it shows flexibility and value.
Be kind. Offering help to a boss, co-worker or customer is appreciated and may just spread through the team. This only can improve everyone’s work situation.
Do your best! We are all enduring different and new work circumstances. Your best work performance in a change atmosphere is always honored, respected and of value.
Although these tips may be considered common sense, a reminder never hurts. Organizations must be able to trust employees as they work alone from home to do the right thing regarding their work responsibilities and to be accountable in an upfront, honest manner. Bringing value to the company isn’t just about the measurable and quantifiable. It’s about your character and integrity.
As a job interview coach with over 30 years of experience, I offer a free 30 minute coaching consultation. I’d be happy to serve you!