The fanfare of college graduation is often followed by the anxiety and nervousness of starting the first job in a career journey. And, it will be a journey full of twists and turns, unexpected opportunities and calculated steps but there are some basic tips that can help you navigate the “backpack to briefcase” transition.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Learn about the company. No one expects you to know the intricacies of the job but there will be an expectation that you know some basic facts about the company and its leadership. Follow the information flow on LinkedIn, become acquainted with industry publications, watch for news articles that reference the company – its breakthroughs, activities, challenges. Demonstrate you are ready to be part of the team.
Prepare to talk about yourself. Joining a company of any size means meeting new people. Open the door to building connections by being ready to talk about your background (leave the gory and family details out), hobbies, interests – what you like to do on the weekends. Whether through a formal session or a more casual introductory conversations, people will want to get to know more about you. What will you share?
Plan what to wear. It may seem childish to set out your clothing the night before but thinking through what to wear for the work culture and choose something in which you feel confident. Thinking ahead will reduce your morning stress, sets a foundation for you to feel more at ease throughout the day, and sends a message that you are taking your job seriously. Clothes do not have to be new – everyone at work is wearing clothes they have likely worn to work already.
Get enough sleep. So much of our mental, physical and emotional health is tied to giving our bodies enough time to rest, recover and rejuvenate. Your body needs rest to keep cognitive functions operating at their highest levels. Being well-rested allows you to think clearly, problem solve effectively and focus on the tasks at hand.
MANAGE THE DAY-TO-DAY
Demonstrate a strong work ethic. Show you are prepared to tackle your work with knowledge, skills and enthusiasm. Get to work and meetings on time. Ask questions to match expectations with output. Share progress – success and stumbling blocks – with supervisor to keep projects on track. Reach stopping points. Meet deadlines, Establish a good work-life balance.
Seek opportunities to learn and grow. Watch for learning opportunities through structured programs and established tools or by engagement with co-workers who can share insights, protocols and procedures. Be proactive about learning or enhancing a skill that contributes to the company. Explore mentorships to build greater awareness of company mission and career paths.
Communicate with peers and supervisors. Spend time learning who to ask for what. Find a buddy who can share where to park, when to take lunch and which restroom to use. Confirm with peers or supervisor who gets copied on emails and how to access computer system. Listen for cues on how to contribute during team meetings, when to take initiative, and who to talk to about prioritizing projects.
MEASURE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Understand job expectations. Contributing to the company starts with understanding what you are asked to accomplish and how it fits into the larger business mission. Review your job responsibilities and assignments with supervisor to confirm your short- and long-term goals along with timelines. Ask questions to eliminate confusion that leads to wasted time and effort. Take notes to refer to when memory fails so each task can be addressed properly.
Prepare for performance management. Evaluation is part of the job experience. Ask for feedback to identify areas for improvement and track your progress. Ask questions and accept guidance. It demonstrates a willingness to learn and grow. Get involved in extra projects, volunteer for new responsibilities, and offer new solutions knowing that every new idea may not be adopted.
ENJOY YOUR JOB
You will invest a great deal of time seeking success in your career. Success will come in many ways. Finding a supportive environment and helping to sustain will make your work experience more enjoyable, provide an atmosphere that encourages collaboration, and contributes to organizational goals and social responsibilities.
