Aftermarket Insider Issue 69 - (Page 11)

YOunG eMPlOYees In today’s workplace, being the youngest person in the room can be intimidating and terrifying. While most people will be glad to have you on the team, not everyone will welcome you with open arms. It is important to be competent, knowledgeable and appear older than you actually are. Make sure you have an opinion on things, but not emerge as a know-it-all. It is when practicing these considerations that you will earn the respect of your notably wiser colleagues and demonstrate that you are an asset to your company. toolbox INSIDER VolUME 69 When You’re the Youngest Person on the Team The workplace is getting older as baby boomers are waiting longer to retire; therefore, there’s a good chance your first job out of college will be filled with colleagues who are several years, or decades, older than you. While most people will be glad to have you on the team, not everyone will welcome you with open arms. However, unlike that 8 a.m. psychology class you admirably signed up for but quickly dropped, you need to stick with this job. So how do you convince your co-workers that you belong on the team when you’re the youngest member? Find your place. Part of establishing your role on a team comes with understanding what you can learn from others and what you can offer them. While it is important to be knowledgeable, it is more important to understand your status. If you show a willingness to learn more about your new position and the company, others will be eager to assist you. Most will be pleased to do so and as such will look at you in a positive light…if you are inexperienced and attempt to act otherwise, you risk coming across as difficult to work with or immature. So if you aren’t experienced, how do you give back anything to the team? Simple: Use the knowledge you already have. Many employers value the new techniques and information you know because you are younger and know a younger audience. Make sure you use your age to your advantage. Caution: Youth doesn’t automatically make you an authority on cutting-edge technologies like social networking and new media. Avoid arrogance and ageism by assuming anyone over 40 has no clue what social networking sites are. Offer your view on the subject as a member of the young demographic, not as the only person at the table whose opinion counts. AFTERMARKET INSIDER | VOLUME 69 | 11

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aftermarket Insider Issue 69

Aftermarket Insider Issue 69
Contents
President’s Message
Top 10 of 2010
Technology Update
Member Profile
Toolbox: Young Employees
Toolbox
Segment Update
Business Confidence Index
Market Intelligence
Green Highlight
Market Intelligence

Aftermarket Insider Issue 69