First and foremost, congratulations to all Ghanaian National Service Personnel. You are officially out in the working world.
And although your allowance won’t be enough to sustain you, there are still opportunities to take advantage of, cautions to be wary of and tips to learn from.
This public service announcement may be difficult to wrap your head around, but it’s the reality. So sit back, buckle up, take note and experience your first NSS.
Here are 10 tips you need to know as a National Service Personnel.
1. Be ready to learn and give aid
Nobody expects you to know everything in your first month, and the people who have been in the office for years know that. Ask questions, take notes and let someone show you how things are done. At the same time, put your hand up when something needs doing. The personnel who offer help are usually the ones who get trusted with bigger work, and they are the ones remembered when the office is hiring.
2. Don’t make enemies at the workplace
You will meet all sorts of people at work, including some who will try your patience. Greet everyone, from the director to the security man at the gate, and stay out of rivalries that were there long before you arrived. You only have a year at this office, but the people you meet will be part of your career much longer, and word travels.
3. Don’t get too attached to your role
Your posting is temporary, and you may be moved around or given tasks that have nothing to do with your course. Do the job well anyway, and avoid building your whole identity around the title on your posting letter. Treat it as a year of learning, so that when service ends you leave with skills and references.
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4. Don’t dwell on your National Service Scheme allowance
We all know it won’t stretch to the end of the month, and it is fair to complain about it a little. But if every conversation turns into a complaint about the allowance, it will sour your whole year. Plan around it, look for extra work you can do on the side if your posting allows it, and keep your focus on what you can gain from the experience, because that lasts longer than any allowance.
5. Don’t forget to take your lunch break
It is easy to sit at your desk all day to prove you are serious, especially in the first few weeks. Step out anyway. Eat properly, stretch your legs and talk to your colleagues about something other than work. You will think better in the afternoon, and lunchtime is where a lot of the real office conversations happen.
6. Network, network, network!
Every office is full of people who know people. Introduce yourself to colleagues in other departments, show up to the meetings and events you are allowed to attend, and keep in touch with the contacts who matter. A good word from the right person can open a door long before a job is advertised.
7. Invest in yourself
Use the year to learn something new, whether that is a short course, a certification, a software tool or a language. Even a small part of your allowance spent on learning will pay you back later. Personnel who leave service with a new skill and a stronger CV are well ahead of those who simply waited for the year to end.
8. Be ready to engage clients
Depending on where you are posted, you may find yourself face to face with customers sooner than you expected. Learn the basics of what your organisation offers, speak politely and clearly, and if you don’t know an answer, say you will find out and then follow up. How you handle a client in a small moment reflects on the whole office.
9. Be careful who you confide in
Friendly colleagues are great, but not everyone you chat with has your interests at heart. Think twice before sharing personal problems, complaints about your supervisor or opinions on office politics. Something said as a joke at lunch can reach the wrong ears by the next morning. Keep your private business private until you know someone well.
10. Don’t forget your headphones
Trotro rides are long, offices get noisy, and sometimes you need to focus on a task. Headphones help you block out the noise, listen to a podcast or learn something new on the commute, and get through a long day. Just remember to take them off when someone is speaking to you.
National Service is one short year that can shape a long career. Use it well, stay curious and look after yourself. Congratulations again, and all the best with your posting.
