Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: 15 Ways to Improve Your Work Ethic

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In the video below from Entrepreneur, Patrick Bet-David discusses 15 ways to improve your work ethic, starting with being predictable every day. Watch the video for the additional fourteen tips:

New Hires Need to Establish Credibility

Establishing and maintaining credibility in the workplace is extremely important. For new hires, building credibility is one of the first things to focus on when starting a new job. The old saying rings true, “credibility is built over time but can be damaged in no time at all.” Even if you have solid industry experience and a great professional reputation, you still need to build credibility with a new employer and co-workers. More importantly, establishing and maintaining credibility with a new employer will be critical to your short- and long-term success.
   
Work Hard and Demonstrate Competence
Your new employer will expect you to work hard and put forth your best effort each day. Doing so in the early stages of your employment will help you to quickly earn the attention and respect of those around you. It is important to maintain a strong work ethic and level of professionalism throughout your employment.

Keep Commitments and Deadlines
One of the most harmful things you can do to your credibility is breaking commitments and missing deadlines. Don’t make commitments you cannot keep, even if it means under promising and over delivering. Obviously, situations beyond your control may occasionally prevent you from honoring a commitment. If this happens, evaluate the impact of breaking your commitment, and be proactive in discussing this with the person you’ve committed to.

Be Open to Learning and Sharing Information 
When co-workers see that you are open to learning and sharing opinions and ideas with others, they will be more comfortable working with you. When handled professionally, a willingness to share your knowledge based on past experience will help you to be viewed as a valuable member of the team.

Be Accountable for Your Mistakes
Mistakes happen. The important thing is to be accountable for your mistakes and work hard to resolve them. This will help you to earn the respect of those you work with and even strengthen your credibility.

Three Reasons to Work During College

Remember the days when college was a mini vacation, a place for the well off to send their children to cavort with their friends before the “stresses” of real-world responsibilities became theirs? If not, you probably weren’t a college student in the early 20th century. With increased access and state support to higher education, college and university life has been redefined. However, new obligations-particularly financial ones-materialized in the wake of this social movement. A recent American Council on Education report estimates that 76% of undergraduates worked either part-time or full-time during college; here are some reasons why you might consider being a part of that percentage.

More money, less problems: A part-time position during college can bring in much-needed financial support to help offset the cost of books, student fees, rent, or any other college-related expenses. Of course these expenses can be covered by student loans, but ask any of your friends taking an introduction to finance class about compound interest and you will understand quickly that paying for these expenses now will provide you higher earning power in the future.

It’s all about the GPA, baby: Research has shown a positive correlation between working part-time during college and a higher GPA. Correlation isn’t causation, but evidence has show that students who work during college tend to manage their time better and are more engaged with their learning (especially if the money they earn directly funds education), leading to higher marks in the classroom.

Are you experienced?: In my opinion one of the most compelling reasons to work during college is to establish a work history early. Skills obtained in a part-time position while going to school can be marketed to companies on a résumé and those who you work for-provided you do your job well-could be invaluable references to help you land that internship or post-graduation position.

As author Thomas Payne said “what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” Committing to a part-time job can help your bank account, your GPA, and your future job prospects.

Maintain a Strong Work Ethic

A strong work ethic is often described as one’s ability to work hard, meet professional responsibilities in an efficient manner, and deliver quality work. Work ethic is often linked to personal character values considered intrinsic, like integrity and honesty. Other strong work ethic traits, such as using resources and time wisely, typically come with experience and practice.

A good work ethic usually leads to a more successful career path. The following elaborates on common indicators of a strong work ethic.

Keep Professional Work Habits

Maintain strong professional work habits that demonstrate respect for you and those you work with. Examples of these include being on time to work and meetings, being prepared, dressing professionally, responding promptly to colleague and client requests, and maintaining an organized work space.

Be Honest, Dependable, and Trustworthy

In all your work dealings, be honest and accountable for your words and actions. You’ll earn a reputation for dependability when others experience several positive work interactions with you that show you can meet your work responsibilities. Trustworthiness also comes over time after others see that you regularly follow through on your commitments.

Deliver High-Quality Work

As important as it is to work hard, it is equally important to deliver consistent, high-quality work. If you regularly work diligently but do not meet quality expectations, it can lead to problems for you and your employer. Poor quality work may need to be redone, costing the company time, money, and in some cases, the reputation of the business.

On a closing note, taking pride in your work, maintaining an overall positive attitude toward work, and doing something you enjoy can also go a long way in fostering a strong work ethic.