Some employees don't seem to have a problem emulating the work ethic of Homer Simpson, who casually throws down the plutonium he is working with after the factory whistle blows at the beginning of each episode. Anyone who wants to advance, however, needs to meet the minimum standards for their job and then some. While it's more difficult to achieve if you're a nuclear engineer than if you're a receptionist, anyone can do their job well if the requirements are clear.
Step 1
Obtain a copy of your job description. Take note of any tasks you are having difficulty with and get assistance as needed. For example, you may need to attend training on how to use a software program proficiently or ask the receptionist to take a few minutes to show you how to use the "double-sided" feature on the copy machine.
Step 2
Talk to your supervisor about her expectations. Since she provides your evaluation, she'll be able to tell you what you'll need to do to get an evaluation that states that you "meet and exceed" the minimum requirements for your job. She may expect you to be willing to accept extra work, attend professional development activities or demonstrate leadership, among other things. However, keep the extra expectations within the scope of your job. If you work as a bank teller, and your supervisor expects you to pick up her dry cleaning during your lunch hour, for example, you might be better off looking for another job.
Step 3
Know your company's policies and procedures inside and out. Keep the documents handy in a binder near your desk or in a folder on your computer desktop. Whenever you're in doubt as to whether you're performing a task correctly or making an appropriate decision, check the policies and procedures to make sure your actions are in alignment with company goals and expectations.
Step 4
Keep your certifications up to date, and obtain new ones as needed. Many jobs require employees to maintain CPR and First Aid certification, for example, while others require certificates documenting competency in programming or other skills.
Step 5
Spend your time at work being productive. Resist the urge to post updates about your sick dog to your social media accounts and instead focus on completing your tasks. To exceed expectations, after you've finished your daily work, ask your supervisor what else you can do to help further a project or goal.
Step 6
Develop your soft skills. Being flexible, dependable, adaptable and having effective problem-solving skills is beneficial as these skills are often measured in performance reviews.
