Searcy (LP) Consciously or not, most people still judge employees by their perceived contributions. There are several ways you can appear to be more productive:

• Arrive Early. This has always been the key to impress a boss who is concerned with your inputs. Since it is so hard to predict when traffic will be bad or your bus will be late, sometimes the only way to ensure you are always on time is to arrive early. Arriving before your bosses will give them an impressive notion of your work ethic.
• Dress Well. It is probably subconscious, but people who are more nicely dressed than their peers are perceived as being better workers. Be careful not to take this too far. Observing a higher dress code will stand out as an obvious attempt at flattery. For example, if no one else wears a tie, then you shouldn’t. If they do, then wear a nice, clean one.
• Use Your Computer Like a Pro. Nearly all jobs, even labor positions, now require the use of a computer. Using your computer quickly is the technological equivalent of walking quickly. Here are some tips to improve computer performance and productivity.
• Leave Your Baggage at Home. If they could, every interviewer would ask if aspects of your personal life are going to distract you and your co-workers and hurt office productivity. The ideal employee is completely dedicated to the job and has no personal life. Although that does not describe a normal human being, you can still do your part to keep your personal life personal. Do your best not to publicly share problems with your co-workers. Telephone calls to your family and friends should ideally take place in private. Short of a genuine emergency, do not rely on your personal life as an excuse for any issues related to job performance. Strive to be your office’s lowest contributor of drama.
• Stay Focused. Don’t be seen paying your bills at the office or aimlessly surfing the web. Long chats with your co-workers about non-work related subjects can only reinforce the image that your mind is elsewhere.
• Stay Positive. If you don’t like your job, constructively approach those who can help you. Offer specific remedies rather than general complaints. Frame your solutions as being in the best interest of the company, not your personal well-being. Do it privately and never complain about your job publicly.
• Be Incredibly Honest. Never lie about any aspect of your job or your co-workers, even when the truth is embarrassing. Being caught in even the smallest lie can destroy your credibility when it matters the most.
• Stay Late. Don’t leave the office before your bosses leave. Even though this can be extremely inconvenient at times, it shows them that you are working longer hours than they are, and it exudes a sense of respect. Leaving early every day reflects a lack of passion about the position and a lack of desire to take on additional projects.
• Walk Quickly Around the Office. When you need to speak with other colleagues, get some water, or even use the restroom, do it quickly. When you are noticed, it will always seem like you are very busy at your job. People who do not look busy are the first people looked at when firing employees.