Life is looking up. You did a computer course, got a certificate, went to half a dozen interviews and finally got an entry-level job. Getting to work on time, meeting your supervisor, finding your way around the office and working a full day have been a challenge, but it’s well worth it. In your mind, you’ve already spent that first month’s salary.
On your second day, you are called to meet the boss. He greets you, welcomes you to the company and quickly gets down to business. He needs somebody to create a spreadsheet that will list all the products the company sells, the number of products sold each month, which province they are sold in and the salespeople involved. Can you do that?
Let’s capture that moment in time. The answer you give to his question will make a big difference to your future career. There are two possibilities:
The first: “Well, I know the theory but I will need someone to teach me the practical part.”
Or, the second: “Leave it to me, I can do that!”
What will determine the answer you give? In both situations, you have done the required training, you have the certificate. The answer is PRACTICE! The second answer implies that you don’t just have head knowledge, you know you can work with a real spreadsheet because you have done it many times! This is the crucial moment when all that time spent doing practical simulations during your training pays off. You can confidently give your boss the answer he is looking for. And in doing so, you are taking the first step along the path of career growth. You will never need to be looking over your shoulder, afraid your boss might find out how little you can actually do. You can do it!