Benefits of Job Shadowing
Submitted by: Kimi
There are few things at work less stressful than the first few days of a new job. It is a period of some uncertainty on both the part of the new employee and the new employer. In the former case, ‘Am I going to be able to do this?’ or in the latter, ‘Have we appointed the right person?’ Some companies adopt a practice that eases both sides into the beginning of this new working relationship. It is called Job Shadowing.
Job shadowing involves putting a new employee ‘under the wing’ of one of their peers, watching and learning what it is they do on a day-today basis.
For the new starter the advantages are many. You get an immediate first hand insight to your new company and its culture. Through observing, you can expect to see what’s needed in order to carry out the functions of the job in reality, rather than in theory. By seeing practices in action, it also gives you the chance to question what you are seeing. Through logical, sensible questions, a deeper understanding of your role will emerge. You may well even discover a ‘Well, that’s the way we’ve always done it’ culture. In which case you may be able to make suggestions (at the proper time) of how efficiencies can be made, and therefore enhance you value to your new employers. Whilst going round you will meet the people that you’ll be coming into contact with. Here is a chance to meet them, and dispense with the extra pressure for ‘the new boy’ about fitting in, and wondering who’s who.
Another benefit from job shadowing is that you will get the opportunity to recognise any of the negative sides to the job. Can a negative be a benefit...you bet! The world is full of people who bemoan their lot by saying, “I wish I’d never taken this job!”
The obverse of this is, “I wish we’d never given you that job!” For this reason, some establishments actually use job shadowing even before the appointment is made or accepted. In the army there is a saying, ‘Time spent in reconnaissance is rarely wasted’.
The employer has much to gain from job shadowing because it ensures that a new employee is unlikely to make lots of errors, whilst contributing to the ‘bottom line’ sooner rather than later. Potential savings on any expensive classroom training may be made. It can also be a valuable tool in helping the mentor to feel appreciated and recognised for their ability thus boosting their morale. It’s not just a tool to use for new starters. It can be an integral part of a company’s development plan when promoting from within. It can also help foster a climate of understanding other departments problems, and provide the platform for inter department problem solving.
Job shadowing provides a ‘Win-Win’ situation, both to those that have the benefit of it, and those that utilise it properly.
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