4 Ways to Recognize You’re Doing Well At Your Job
It’s normal to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing when you’re new at your job. Every job has a learning curve, and some are steeper than others. The type of training you receive will also have an impact on your confidence in your work. It’s a relief when you learn the ropes and finally start to feel confident in your career. However, if you’re not receiving positive feedback, it can be hard to know whether you’re doing well or not. Below are some clues to help verify that you are doing well at your job.
You Are Given Important Tasks
Once you’re out of the training period, you’re given more latitude in making decisions within your role. Many companies – especially those in specialized fields like court reporters in Spokane – have a 90-day probationary period during which you’re given the reins but still monitored to make sure you’re getting on board and will be an effective employee. Making it past this probationary period is a sign you’re on the right track. If you find that you’ve become more confident in your work and that your supervisor comes to you with questions or other projects to work on, you can take that as a sign that they trust you as an employee. Receiving more work may not seem like a compliment, but it means your boss is not concerned with your ability to complete the task. If they had doubts, they would go to someone else.
You’re the Go-to Person
Sometimes being asked, “What do you think?” feels like you’re being put on the spot. In reality, it means your colleague trusts your opinion. They have witnessed your work ethic and think highly enough of you to ask your thoughts on a particular matter. If a co-worker comes to you with a problem, they see you as the person who may have the answer. And if you’re the person that people go to for answers, it’s a good indicator that you know what you’re doing.
Your Work Has Meaning
Generally, people work because they have bills to pay. To be an independent adult in the world, you need to have an income to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. While these necessities provide some form of motivation, it’s not the type of motivation that lasts. If you can identify the importance of your role within your company, it helps give a sense of purpose and meaning. You may be just a tiny part of the big picture, but your piece contributes to the end goal and is essential.
You Build a Sense of Community
As corny as it is, the saying “Teamwork makes the dream work” is spot on. While you may not have much power regarding the culture of your whole company, you can have a positive effect on your immediate surroundings. Getting to know your colleagues can help build trust within the team and provide a more productive working environment. It could be having group lunches or potlucks, happy hour, or even just a regular check-in with each other. The ability to do this depends on your set of soft skills. You may perform your job perfectly, but the ability to work well with colleagues will take you far.
Conclusion
These are just a couple of the ways you can determine whether you’re doing well on the job or not. If you’re feeling uneasy about your performance and your yearly review is not for another seven months, check in with yourself about your relationship with your peers, whether your boss comes to you with assignments, and how you feel about the work you do. If you’re dreading going to work every day because you find it boring or meaningless, your performance is likely suffering, and it may be time to find something a little more stimulating. It’s never too late to change. Put yourself out there and make a difference!
