The Power of Punctuality

I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, better late than never.

There are probably times in life when that is true, but I can’t think of even one case where this saying would apply to the world of work. In this realm, punctuality is of the utmost importance. In most cases being punctual actually means arriving at least fifteen minutes prior to any scheduled appointment.

A job interview is typically your first chance to make an in-person impression with an employer. Most of the time, not being punctual for an interview means that you won’t even be considered. If you arrive late and are lucky enough to have an employer still spend time with you, you’ve got a lot of ground to make up. Don’t put yourself in that situation.

Being late for an interview is a sure indication that an employer can expect you to be late for work. And the truth is that not being on time for work can have a huge negative impact on an employer’s bottom line in the form of:

• Lost productivity
• Lowered morale
• Poor customer service
• Loss of respect for management

Conversely, being able to demonstrate to an employer your penchant for punctuality (showing up consistently, arriving on time and always being prepared to work) can highlight the value that you would offer to an organization and the positive impact that you could have on their bottom line.

So, keep time on your side, and harness the power of punctuality to unlock the rewards of responsibility by gaining a leg up on the competition in this tight job market.

Bobi Cook is a Regional Facilitator for Workforce Solutions in the Houston – Galveston area. She currently conducts job skills seminars throughout the 13 county Gulf Coast region utilizing her MBA and over ten cumulative years experience as a professional educator, quality systems manager within the automotive industry, and small business administrator to help job seekers develop and implement successful job search campaigns.