Social Skills in the Workplace
ByJen Navicky
The move from college to employment will be a major transition and much of the change will be in the social area. The comfortable social skills suitable to a college environment may have to be modified to fit the workplace. Individuals will have to determine what is appropriate and then adjust their behaviors accordingly. The first step will be to reassess individual strengths and weaknesses and match these against skills necessary for success in the workplace. Asking for guidance and assistance from knowledgeable individuals can become crucial to success.
Consider the following when attempting to make a positive first impression during an interview:
- Personal grooming may need to be improved especially considering the college culture the student is leaving which is generally much more casual than a business environment.
- Informal nuances are apart of any interview and individuals may need practice to recognize subtle signs. For example, cues given by the speaker during a conversation may tell interviewees when to continue discussing a point or when to change the topic.
- Maintaining a conversation will be necessary during interview. Even though this may be in an informal setting such as over dinner, it is an important part of the interview.
- Properly relating pertinent personal information and deciding the timing of discussing help you may need. The amount of knowledge employers have about disabilities will vary greatly.
Interviewees should expect to clearly state individual strengths and minimizing weaknesses. Goals and objectives will need to be realistically articulated. Practicing with experienced individuals who are knowledgeable about your personality will be helpful.
As employment continues and work relationships deepen, it may be necessary to refocus attention on additional social skills areas. For example, it becomes increasingly important to gain the respect of co-workers by:
- following through with promises and statements
- accepting responsibility for your actions and not seeking to place blame on others
- apologizing when necessary but as little as possible. Turning apologies into compliments, Youve been so helpful to me as I do this difficult job.
- communicating often and clearly with those giving assignments or those with whom you are working.
- finding areas in which you excel and offering assistance to those who need help.
- attending to proper telephone etiquette by leaving short, direct messages, returning telephone calls upon request, having an appropriate message on your telephone, and deciding when to save communications for face-to-face contacts.