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Career Tip: The ABC's of Surviving your 1st Job

I am constantly amazed at how some people are so considerate.  As if he doesn’t have enough to do, Dr. John Thornell, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, is famous for sending magazine articles, newspaper clippings, and copies of publications to people on campus.  Dr. Thornell was thumbing through a magazine and sent a copy of a great article from University Business.  The Next (Real) World: Part Two, written by Dede Bartlett, outlines some great tips in helping student survive their 1^st job.  Ms. Bartlett says it is as simple as A-B-C:

A.  The Basics:

1.   Punctuality and “face time” -  Ok…everyone knows that being on time is important…well…almost everyone.  Employers are reporting that recent grads aren’t aware of the “early is on time – on time is late” rule.  Make sure that you know what time commitments are expected of you when you take a new job…in at 8…lunch at 12…out at 5 is standard. 

2.  E-mail Etiquette – “OMG…did u c what Angie was wearing at the staff meeting…GAG! ;)  gtg…brb…ttyl!”  In today’s world of email, text messaging, and chatting, we have established our own language.  To the new employee, BE CAREFUL of what you put into email or say on office chat systems.  Your correspondences should be written in professional language and format.  A good rule of thumb: never write anything in an email that you wouldn’t want on the front page of the newspaper…and remember…there is no such thing as “delete!”

3.  Telephone Etiquette – Before you answer the phone…SMILE!  The people on the other end will be able to tell the difference.  Also, it helps if you identify your organization/department and your name.  Personal phone calls should be kept to a minimum.  Let your friends and family know that you cannot receive phone calls at work unless it is an emergency.  Cell phones should be turned OFF…that means no texting, either.  Don’t let your boss catch you being a “chatty Cathy!”

4.  Clothing – OK…if you are a faithful reader of the Newsletter, you know how I feel about professional image.  Make sure that your clothes are an appropriate reflection of you, your profession, and your company.  To be candid, as a general rule, don’t show your 4 B’s: back, butt, belly, or boobs. Clothes should be clean, pressed, and neat at all times.  Casual Fridays don’t mean the new tube top and miniskirt you look so cute in…save that for the club on Saturday night.

B.  Behavior:

1.  Be a team player – You don’t have to like everyone that you work with, but you do have to get along with them.  You are all reaching for the same goal, so keep a good attitude about fellow employees. 

2.  Be enthusiastic and congenial – Who says nice guys finish last?!?!  My Mom always said, “you can attract more bees with honey than vinegar.”  The employee with the positive, “can do” attitude is usually at the top of the boss’ list of favorites…not a bad place to be.

3.  Accept Responsibility – We all make mistakes…the best thing you can do is own up to your actions, admit it, and don’t let it happen again. 

4.  Volunteer – Once you get your feet on the ground with your assigned tasks, don’t be afraid to volunteer to spearhead special projects.  It is a great opportunity to get valuable experience and a neat opportunity to work with other people.  Your willingness will be noticed and hopefully rewarded. 

5.  Trust NO ONE for several months – I like to consider myself and optimist, so it pains me to say this…not everyone will want to be your friend at your new job.  CRAZY, I know!!  You can’t be sure who your friends are and others may be leery of you.  Be friendly and cordial, but watch what you say and do.  Once you are there for a while, office politics will become evident, as will the office snitch, gossip, and suck-up. 

6.  Don’t gossip – That “water cooler” chat that you have heard so much about really does happen…maybe not around the water cooler, but gossip can run wild in an office setting.  Everyone loves getting the scoop, but be the bigger person…don’t repeat idle chatter.  Before long you will think you are working at General Hospital instead of the accounting department!

7.  Don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know – I had a friend in grad school named Kelsey.  Kelsey graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in computer engineering.  She was brilliant!  When our professor would use a big word - like grad school professors are so famous for doing - instead of nodding in “fake agreement” like the rest of us, she was the 1^st to say, “I don’t know what that means.”  I respected her so much…not necessarily because she was incredibly intelligent, but because she was not embarrassed to admit that she didn’t know.  Follow Kelsey’s lead…admit when you don’t know…then do your best to find out!

C.  Strategy

1.  Listen and look – “Keep your eyes open and your opinions to yourself.”  Don’t worry about not being able to do the job…worry more about fitting in.  Keep your eyes pealed to learn the office culture.

2.  Make your boss look good – RULE #1…quoting a mentor of mine, “be sure you know how to read the organization chart.” The good boss will reward you…the bad boss will take advantage of you…either way is a learning opportunity. 

3.  Find a mentor – I am a big believer of this philosophy.  Identifying someone that you can look up to and seek advice from is crucial in your professional development. 

4.  Don’t loose your reputation – Like my Dad always says “the only person you have to answer to is the guy you shave with in the morning.  If you can’t respect that guy, who can you respect?” Above all, protect your professional reputation!  Acting unethically, unprofessionally, or immaturely is inexcusable.  Don’t be the next Enron or WorldCom. 

While most of this may seem like common sense to many of us, employers are begging colleges to do a better job at educating our students on these simple issues.  Make sure that you take the ABCs into your 1^st position.  Stop by the Career Center for more information.  Best wishes to you for a successful job search.  Let us know how we can help. 

 

Source: Jason Umfress, 2006