Whenever you are entering a new company or organization, expectations can be uncertain, especially during those first few weeks/days. My first few days at MadridEasy were no exception. There are many times throughout the day when I may be confused about some directions or expectations. It also does not help that this is my second language and instructions may be given very fast and it may be hard for me to understand. Still, I am confident that all the work I have done thus far is my best and I have been able to clarify what I needed to do. Below are the steps I take to clarify instructions with my boss/supervisor.
- If the instructions are given over WhatsApp or email, Reread!
Before going straight to my supervisor and asking what they just told me to reread their messages to make sure I fully understand what they have sent me. If I ask a question that is clearly outlined in the message it will show that I don’t thoroughly read instructions which is not a good look. I like to read, then reread to make sure everything is clear before I ask any follow-up questions, which I tend to have from time to time.
- Ask a fellow intern
I find clarifying something with a fellow intern best before going directly to my boss. My boss’ time is valuable and some small clarifying questions could interrupt something important. I normally will first go to my fellow interns as I work with two other guys my same age. I will ask them if they had to do this specific task before, what X means, or if they have been to this place before. Normally they can clarify any doubts or questions I had and provide some valuable insight.
- Ask my supervisor if I understand this correctly
Instead of asking my supervisor to repeat the instructions completely, I find it easier to say something along the lines of “So just to clarify I need to do XYZ and then XYZ, and I am good?” and normally they can just respond with “yes exactly” or “yes but don’t forget X” and then I am normally clear on everything. I find this to be the best method to clarify as it doesn’t waste anyone’s time and makes sure everything is clear and explained well.
- Clarify during the job
There may be some instances when I arrive at a location or begin doing a task that is not what I expected and now the instructions do not make as much sense or cannot be applied to the current situation. I always like to make sure to double-check before I proceed. I normally will send over a quick text on WhatsApp to my supervisor explaining my doubts or troubles. They are very responsive and can assist me very quickly. If it is not easily explained over text sometimes we will quickly call to clarify or explain a situation. If that is not sufficient sometimes I will even send pictures or videos of what I encountered to make sure they are fully understanding what I see. This almost always clears everything up and sometimes my job is changed or altered due to an unforeseen event/circumstance. Communication is key.
Those steps normally make sure I get all jobs done correctly and follow all instructions. It is very frequent due to the nature of my job that I will be constantly communicating with my supervisor which I find very helpful. Constant and clear communication makes my job less stressful, especially considering it is in a different language and country.
I feel as though I am developing my communications skills and the tactics that I use will be useful in my future work. I have found through previous jobs that when there is doubt or uncertainty it is best not to continue because you may complete the job but have missed some vital parts or completed it incorrectly and have to do it over again. This takes much more time than just pausing for a moment to clarify even if at the moment it feels like you are slowing everyone down. In the long run, you will make fewer mistakes, complete higher-quality work, and develop your communication skills across all relationships at your organization.
With the newly developed relationships that I am currently forming I am confident productivity will be boosted in the long run. I understand the importance of fully understanding my tasks now so that I can continue to gain more responsibility in the upcoming weeks. I am excited about the new responsibility and collaboration with other sectors of the business. I am confident that my developing communication skills will ensure a smooth transition. That is all, thank you for reading, and have a great day!