When a new employee joins a company, it’s common for the employee and the employer to ensure it’s the right fit with a 90-day job evaluation. New employees will be assessed on their job performance and fit for the role and company. It typically lasts around 90 days, with some as short as 30 days and some can be as long as six months. The time frame varies based on the training requirements and the position. Facing the unknown and information overload can make the evaluation phase seem stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. New employees should adjust their mindset to being focused on learning. Look at it as an opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the role, adapt, and receive positive feedback. The evaluation time gives a new employee an opportunity to see if the job and company culture are a good fit. It also gives them the opportunity to receive training and support from management to learn the new position!

Working smarter means finding creative ways to use your time and energy at work more effectively, which can help you complete tasks quicker and increase productivity. There are various strategies to help you prioritize your work and help you identify your most important tasks. Keep a to-do list Keep a to-do list at work of your most important and challenging tasks each day. Regularly review your list, consider the time needed for each task, including breaks. Focus on the most challenging ones first. Focus on them one task at a time before moving on to the less important ones. This will help you prioritize your work and help you avoid taking shortcuts that might compromise your work quality. Set deadlines Setting deadlines at your job helps you focus and learn to complete tasks in less time. Deadlines create a sense of urgency and help you stay on track and avoid distractions. Deadlines help you manage your workload, they’re essential for managing multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, which can improve your overall productivity. Setting deadlines also helps you make sure you complete each objective before moving on to other tasks, it helps you ensure you finish your work. Say no more often If you have high-priority tasks that need to be completed, you must learn how and when to say no when a coworker asks for help on unrelated projects. Understanding your priorities and how best to complete them can help you set boundaries. To do this professionally, understand what your job tasks are, then try to be clear and honest in your refusal. Offer a polite and logical reason, you can also offer alternative solutions or provide a time when you can be available to assist them.

Companies will often hire workers with limited or no work experience, so new job seekers shouldn’t feel discouraged to apply for their desired jobs. Sometimes companies hire workers because of their potential and not because of their lengthy resumes. Many times, companies focus on a candidate's attitude and transferable skills. Also, entry-level and on-the-job training positions can be found in a variety of industries. To stand out without job experience be persistent. Show the company that you want the job more than others. Also, be willing to take jobs to build your resume. Be confident during your interview and be humble, ask great questions and try to make a personal connection. Do your homework on the company before your interview, know about the company’s history and core values. When applying for jobs without experience, recognize your value and focus on your transferable skills and your eagerness to learn and grow. Your eagerness to learn is a highly attractive trait to many companies because it shows adaptability and commitment. Avoid letting discouragement hold you back from applying for the jobs you want. Everyone must start somewhere and the best way to get noticed is to put yourself out there.

Stress and burnout are often the results of taking work home with you. A lack of work-life balance can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Stress and health are deeply connected; people who routinely bring their work home are usually more stressed than people who leave work at the office. Bringing your work home doesn’t allow mental recovery from the workday. To make sure you leave work at home, set boundaries between your work and personal time. This means establishing a regular schedule, communicating your availability and learning to say no to unnecessary demands and clients, and sticking to it. By learning to say no, you can become better at protecting your time and energy and avoid being stressed and overwhelmed. The best way to not think about work after hours is to get a hobby that occupies your brain and time. Establish a post-work daily routine that helps your mind relax. This could be as simple as listening to your favorite podcast or a walk around the neighborhood. Do something fun and healthy that shifts your focus from work. Remember, constantly being connected to work, especially without proper boundaries, can often lead to burnout and stress.

Some mental stress is normal and can be a positive motivator to meet deadlines and stay focused. However, consistently relying on stress as a motivator is risky and can lead to burnout. It’s the same in the workplace; stress can become problematic when it’s constant—even when you love what you do. Constant mental stress can lead to burnout, depression, and even more serious health issues. Take steps to keep mental stress at a manageable level so you can enjoy your job and protect your health. Take short breaks: Step away from your desk whenever possible for short walks for renewed focus. Breaks give you a change of scenery and can help prevent stress from accumulating during the day, which can ultimately lead to burnout. Attempt to maintain a positive mindset: Focus on the positive aspects of your job role and workplace. Practice gratitude and try to reframe from negative thinking. Focus on solutions instead of problems to help create a positive work environment. Practice self-care: Prioritize your well-being by eating a healthy diet. Get regular exercise and try to get adequate amounts of sleep each night. This will improve your mood and stamina at the workplace. Engage in relaxing activities or hobbies. Maintain social connections by spending time with family and setting healthy boundaries to prevent burnout.

Some people think a degree is the only way to get meaningful employment but there are many opportunities available for job seekers without a formal education. For various reasons many people are moving away from the traditional four-year degree and are still finding success in great careers. If you’re looking for a great job but lack a university education, follow these practical tips: Focus on your skills Employers today increasingly are more interested in skills over degrees. Many times, companies care more about what you can do for their company over where you went to school. That’s an advantage for you. Focus on developing in-demand skills that directly apply to your target job. Consider online courses and volunteering to develop your skills. Networking Networking remains an effective way to find great employment opportunities. Focus on building and maintaining professional relationships rather than asking for favors. Seek out industry conferences and workshops. Join professional organizations. For individuals without degrees, networking can open doors that might otherwise be closed. Look for the right opportunities Certain industries are more open to hiring candidates without formal qualifications. Look at the technology industry. Look at the sales, construction, automotive and healthcare industries. They offer opportunities for skilled workers who might not have a degree. If you don’t have a degree, do your research, seek out companies known for hiring based on skill rather than education!

Remember the golden rule? Treat others as you wish to be treated. This also rings true in the workplace. By reminding yourself of qualities you appreciate in others you can improve your own professional conduct and contribute to a more positive and productive work environment for everyone at your workplace. Some qualities of a great coworker include: Being reliable: Dependability is a great way to build trust within a team. A reliable coworker follows through on promises. They meet deadlines and they communicate clearly when they can’t meet a commitment. Being respectful and empathetic: A great colleague treats everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their position at the company. This also involves respecting their time, and personal workspace. A great coworker demonstrates empathy by respecting their coworkers' viewpoints and situations. Being positive and supportive: A positive attitude can significantly improve the office atmosphere for everyone around you. Try to offer help respectively when you see a coworker struggling. At the same time, be happy and celebrate their achievements. Give coworkers your genuine support, the same way you want their support.

You spend a lot of your workday thinking about other jobs We all have some career envy from time to time—who wouldn’t want their dream job—but if you find yourself wanting to be anywhere but in your current job, it might be time to consider other career options. You don’t feel inspired or motivated Our careers are supposed to make us feel accomplished but at the same time give us the desire to improve. If you find yourself lacking the motivation to learn more about your industry it could be that you’re in the wrong one. Your mental and physical health are in distress If you're in the wrong career, you can easily burn yourself out. That prolonged stress can lead to mental and physical exhaustion. Burnout is different from normal stress in that it can drain your motivation, leaving you feeling empty and detached. The wrong career can make it difficult to care for your wellbeing, which should include regular sleep and exercise. Mental and physical health symptoms can provide important insights into whether you're in the wrong career.

Don’t talk badly about a previous employer No matter how bad your experiences were with a previous employer you shouldn’t talk negatively about them during your interview. The interviewer will assume you would speak similarly about them. Don’t be clueless about the company It doesn’t take much effort to go to a company’s website to learn the basics before your interview. Not taking the time to learn about the company can make you look unprepared. It can also make you look like you’re not interested. Don’t forget to ask questions If you don’t ask questions, the interviewer might assume you’re not interested in the position or that you weren’t paying attention during the interview. The interviewer might also assume that you don’t understand the role you’re applying for. It’s best to have strong questions ready in advance, even if you already know the answers. Don’t talk too much It’s great to answer questions fully but if the interviewer must cut you off to move on, you’re probably talking way too much, or you’re taking too much time to answer each question. Try to be focused and concise with your answers, avoiding unnecessary details. Keep in mind interviews often have time constraints.