Work Place Etiquette and Conduct

A work placement is just like any other job. Conducting yourself in the proper way can get you on good terms with your placement provider and perhaps open up more doors for you in the future. Here are some tips for proper work place etiquette.

Any job is a good job

If you get given the job of tea maker, don't moan about it. It'll make you look unmotivated towards your job and looking bad won't gain you any favours with your employer. Besides, you may meet one of the main employees on your trip. Strike up a conversation, it may lead to other work and perhaps a better insight into the field you're interested in.

Be Willing

Sometimes eavesdropping isn't a bad thing. If you hear staff members talking about a job that needs doing, offer yourself to them. It makes you look very willing and it will earn you a good reputation. Word may get around opening more exciting tasks for you to undertake.

Smile

A depressed face is never a good one. Always look happy and it may rub off on your placement provider giving them the impression that you actually want to be at the placement.

Don't Mess About

Messing about, whether it's playing about in staff areas or going on Facebook, is a bad thing to do. Placement providers hate this sort of thing which may result in them not giving you anything to do, because they see you as someone who doesn't want to be there.

Be pro-active

A common regret with many placement workers is that they wish they pestered for more work. Being pro-active on a placement is good. If you've finished a task, pester around the office for more work and don't worry about being annoying. A lot of the main staff were probably in your position once and encourage it as they probably did the same thing.

Be Sociable

Placement providers want someone who can give their all but it's nice to be sociable now and again. It shows that you're not a drone and makes you look like an actual person. It'll score you points with your provider as it shows you can get along well with people rather than someone who's closed off shutting everyone else away.

The Regular Stuff

Never forget the basics. Arrive on time, be nice and polite to everyone and work to the best of your ability. These are basic things everyone knows but it's the basics that make everything else count.