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    How to succeed at your first job? Take responsibility, be consistent & adopt a growth mindset

    Synopsis

    India Inc bosses share what they expect from the younger workforce.

    worklife-woman-workplace_iStockiStock
    Consistency is vital to establish good work habits, setting achievable goals, and maintaining a positive attitude each day.
    Starting a new job can be exciting, but it can also come with its share of stressful moments.

    From trying to understand how to impress the boss to bonding with your colleagues, the experiences in the first job can be quite a journey.

    In a hybrid set-up when you have barely had a chance to interact with your teammates, a few things should always stay at the top of the list — mutual respect, honesty and efficiency.

    On International Women’s Day, ETPanache Digital got in touch with some India Inc bosses known for running their businesses efficiently to understand what they expect from the younger lot.

    Ask Questions
    Swati Bhargava, the co-founder of CashKaro & EarnKaro, says values like honesty, ownership and respect are important, but one must also be receptive to new ideas, perspectives and feedback. "Ask questions, seek advice and take advantage of opportunities for growth and development," she says.

    Bhargava also says building positive relationships can help an individual learn about the company's culture, and the expectations for his/her role. It may present new opportunities down the road. "Prioritise your tasks and manage your time wisely," she says.

    Swati Bhargava_3Agencies
    Swati Bhargava, co-founder of CashKaro & EarnKaro
    Bhargava also says building positive relationships can help an individual learn about the company's culture, and the expectations for his/her role. It may present new opportunities down the road. "Prioritise your tasks and manage your time wisely," she says.

    Last, but not least, Bhargava says it is crucial to prioritise yourself and take care of both physical and mental well-being.

    Be Yourself
    Suta co-founders and sisters Sujata and Taniya say new joiners must keep their mind open and grasp whatever comes their way.

    "Opportunities for learning and growth exist in the unlikeliest quarters, and being open and receptive to them can take an individual a long way," says Sujata.

    However, it is important to not change who you are at the workplace. "Be confident in who you are and embrace it."

    Founders Sujata (left) and Taniya (right)Agencies
    Suta founders Sujata (left) and Taniya (right)
    The Suta co-owners go by the quote “stay hungry, stay foolish”. They say that one shouldn't be afraid to ask questions as "you’ll learn the most during your initial professional years and come across numerous mentors who can guide you."

    Consistency Matters
    To be successful in the workforce, Syska Group Executive Director Jyotsna Uttamchandani says it's important to adopt a growth mindset. This means freshers should be willing to learn new skills, take on challenges, seek feedback to improve and, most importantly, be consistent.

    Jyotsna Uttamchandani, Executive Director, Syska GroupAgencies
    Jyotsna Uttamchandani, Executive Director, Syska Group
    "Consistency is vital to establish good work habits, setting achievable goals, and maintaining a positive attitude each day. It's important to not allow external factors or setbacks to discourage you. Instead, use them as opportunities for growth," she says.

    Furthermore, she says that persistence and determination can help people achieve their goals better. "Never give up," she adds.

    Be Entrepreneurial
    Vedanta Aluminium CEO Rahul Sharma's secret mantra to success is having "an entrepreneur’s mindset." He says that organisations encourage employees who demonstrate how to utilise the available resources in the best possible way, show eagerness to learn and have a passion to perform.

    Rahul Sharma, CEO of Vedanta AluminiumAgencies
    Rahul Sharma, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium
    Also, experience and age shouldn't be a bar to ambition, says Sharma, but freshers need to be able to create a “differentiation” through their work. "Unless one doesn’t bring in the X factor, they, and by extension, their teams and organisations cannot remain ahead of the curve," the head of the mining company says, listing the key traits he wants employees to imbibe into their personal and professional lives.

    Adapting to digital technologies has become a new way of life after the pandemic. "To thrive in today's competitive landscape, young professionals must develop a bent of mind that is eager to adopt technology and digitalisation," he adds.

    Take Ownership
    Supriya Paul, the co-founder of Josh Talks, wants youth to run towards new opportunities, projects and challenges when starting their career. "The more you do, the more experiences and knowledge you will gain." The upskilling company's top boss also encourages freshers to earn their manager's trust as "everyone works hard, but not everyone can be trusted."

    Supriya Paul, Co-Founder, Josh TalksAgencies
    Supriya Paul, co-founder of Josh Talks
    Taking higher ownership of work can help them grow faster. Also, never forget to ask for help. "People and organisations are happy to help and support employees but that will only happen if you put yourself out there and truly open yourself to new learnings," she adds.


    ( Originally published on Mar 07, 2023 )

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