When you are starting a new job, one of the best things you can have going for you is to be a good listener. With all the new things you are learning, of course, it is very important to make sure you understand what you are being taught.

A recent Harvard Business Review story gave examples of how being a good listener can be a big benefit.

“This is an important skill to have and to learn,” said Alan Hubbard, LandAjob’s Chief Operating Officer. “If you have this and work at it, your bosses are going it recognize it and that will help you in your new position.” LandAjob helps Americans with disabilities get reimbursed up to $13,000 for job expenses through the Social Security Administration’s Ticket-to-Work program.

According to the Harvard Business Review story, the keys to being a good listener are to No. 1 - Not talking when others are speaking. No. 2. - Let others know you are listening with facial expressions and verbal sounds. No. 3 - Being able to summarize what others have said.

“These are all good points to being an active listener,” said Hubbard. “On a job interview, you want to make sure you are listening and being an active participant. It would be the same if you were listening to co-workers or managers at work. You want to make sure your conversations are active.”

The Harvard Review story says the listener should make the conversation a “positive experience” for everyone, while focusing on a cooperative conversation, not being competitive, and should include making suggestions.

(LandAjob helps SSDI and SSI beneficiaries receive up to $13,000 in work support reimbursements. For more information, go to www.landajob.com.)