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Success in the Workplace
This section of LMIworks.nl.ca provides information and resources to help individuals identify strategies for maintaining employment, developing healthy workplaces and achieving work-life balance.
Accepting a job offer
The job interview is over and an employment offer has been extended. This is another critical point when individuals need to make sure they have the information needed to make an informed decision. For example, they should be considering factors such as how well the employer’s values, wages, benefits, working conditions, and location fits with their needs and expectations.
If the the interview didn't result in a job offer, it may merely mean that the job wasn't suited to the person. In these cases, follow-up interviews are often useful to gain feedback that can help with future job interviews.
Some things to keep in mind when deciding about a job offer include:
The size and type of company or organization
The working conditions and your willingness to work there for a period of time
The location of the job and distance you will have to travel to work
The management style and company policies and values
The duties and responsibilities of the job and how they mach your goals and abilities
The salary and other benefits
The amount of overtime and travel required
Whether a probation period is required
The potential for promotions in the future
Negotiating work terms and conditions
Sometimes individuals have an opportunity to negotiate some of the terms of the job offer such as salary and benefits. Some guidelines to consider when negotiating an offer include:
Verbal offers can be withdrawn easily. Ask for the offer in writing.
Always respond by the requested deadline. It’s OK to ask for more time, however make your request a reasonable one.
Remain enthusiastic.
Don’t accept or refuse the offer immediately. Take some time to think about everything involved.
Know the terms of the job and the responsibilities that are required.
You may receive a negative response when negotiating. Employers will likely inform you when they have reached the limits of their offer.
Accepting an offer is a legal obligation. Confirm your agreement in writing.
Strategies for success in the workplace
Today’s world of work provides both opportunities and challenges for workers. Changes in the labour market require adaptability, innovation and creativity to manage successful careers. Some tips for maintaining successful employment include:
Arrive on time and respect deadlines. Employers want employees who can manage their time effectively.
Develop your interpersonal skills. Be polite and avoid office gossip. Employees who are professional, competent, dependable and compatible are in demand.
Your performance affects everyone in your workplace. Do your best work, don’t be afraid to ask questions and make safety a priority.
Be open to new opportunities
Commit to lifelong learning. Continuous learning and skills development will allow you to adapt easily to changes in the labour market.
Dress appropriately. Does your employer require that you wear a uniform? Is there a dress code? Make sure your clothes, shoes and hair are neat and clean.
Monitor labour market trends and make informed decisions
Consider finding a mentor.
Visit the following links for more tips for maintaining successful employment:
Work-life balance
People have responsibilities, whether it is caring for children and/or elderly parents, or the pursuit of personal interests, activities or hobbies. Workers must be equipped to resolve personal and workplace issues, juggle conflicting responsibilities and balance personal and workplace roles.
Increasingly, employers are looking for ways to assist their workers in managing their job responsibilities and their family and personal responsibilities and needs outside of work. Strategies for work-life balance help create supportive, healthy work environments, strengthen employee commitment and loyalty and result in more productive workplaces and improved customer satisfaction.
Visit the following links for more on the issues and strategies for work-life balance.
Workplace training and lifelong learning
To succeed in today’s economy, businesses require skilled employees. Continued skill development is a commitment you, as an employee, will have to make for your lifetime in order to remain competitive. Many employers provide continued support and regular training to their employees to assist them in developing their skills. Employers are investing in professional development opportunities and workplace training initiatives to ensure that employees continue to develop and use the skills that are needed to adapt to the changing needs of the workplace.
The following links will connect you with workplace training resources and providers. Also, the Developing Your Skills section of LMIworks.nl.ca provides additional tools and resources that will help you make decisions about your education, training and skills development.
Provincial
Other Sites and Resources
Employment legislation
It is important for employees to know workplace rights and legislation. Canada and the provinces have legislation that helps protect workers such as labour standards, labour relations and workplace health and safety. Employment-related legislation helps set standards and address employees on issues like minimum wages, statutory holidays, benefits, leave, compensation, health and safety, hiring, discrimination and harassment.
Visit the links to access provincial and national employment legislation.
Provincial Links
National Links
Additional Resources
For a complete listing of resources available on this site, visit the Resources section.