Good Work Ethic is Important

Just recently I had a chat with my teenage son about having a good work ethic. He recently started a new job where he had to go through many phases from a phone interview, passing an assessment, participating in a group interview to a panel interview to an interview with the top manager, and many other steps in order to be considered for the role. When he was offered the job, he was ecstatic but also questioned the intense process. "Mom, why was this process so much harder?"

I went on to tell him that a person's true work ethic starts before their first day. Some people are not willing to go through a process to get what they want and will forfeit not realizing that if they hang in there what they want will exist. In addition, some people lack confidence and don't believe they have what it takes. My son was there but had me in his corner pushing him but understand not everyone has that, so they give up.

After 6 weeks in his new role, I continued our conversation on having a good work ethic. I explained to him that when he shows up, he needs to give his all. If target goals are given, then he should work towards meeting and at some point, exceeding them. When it comes to breaks and lunches do not take advantage of the time. Report to work at least 10-15 mins daily giving him enough time to get settled in. If not being treated properly, speak up yet be respectful. There were so many other tips that I shared with him and continue to do so to better prepare him for the workforce.

As adults, these same rules still apply. Having a good work ethic should be the standard. Sometimes working for the same company and in the same roles for years makes us relaxed and the same effort isn't put in. The desire may no longer be there or even the pay. You may have valid reasons (not feeling appreciated, overworked, bad manager, etc.) as to why you feel depleted, and your best just isn't there anymore. Starting today, reevaluate your own work ethic and ask, "Could I do better in this area?" If it’s a simple “yes” then work on a plan to get yourself back in the game. It will definitely pay off for as you progress in your career!

Check out CLIP 6 of MY CAREER JOURNEY video series. In this clip, I share how I worked in a role for 6 years without a raise due to the 2009 recession. No matter what, I still maintained a good work ethic, which led to opportunities and finding my true purpose working in HR.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jamelah Henry specializes in producing "All-Star" employees for the workplace. She is a product of a job training program from early in her career. She used the skillsets that she learned and was immediately recognized by top employers. After a few short years in the workforce, she was promoted to a management position. She spent the last 17 years of her career working as a manager, trainer, recruiter, and entrepreneur specializing in hiring, training, coaching, and developing both existing and new hire employees to bring their best to the workplace. She is an SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Certified Professional, earned a B.S. in Human Resource Management from Wilmington University, and a member of the Delta Epsilon Rho Honor Society. She is also a current member of the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA) and working towards a certification as a National Resume Writer. In her spare time, she likes giving back to her community!