At graduation time and scores of commencement speakers will be giving out advice – some good, some not so good. If your frame of reference for the workplace is “The Office” – here are some other realities for you to consider.
- First, attitude counts for far more than you have been led to believe. I know HR people who say “Hire For Attitude, Train the Skill.”
- Next, you are bringing a fresh perspective and a youngish attitude to your first job. There will be people who love it…and those who do not. Don’t fret about it. Don’t think everyone is out to get you. Don’t change your personality or your willingness to take chances. But, and this is important: Understand that we have seen fresh ideas before – yours is not the first. And you may well be wrong.
Careers you can count on
- Stay out of office politics. Every office has some internal policies, but avoid being known as a gossip.
- Find a mentor. This does not mean you need to suck up to someone who is above you. But be on the lookout for someone who can help you, who can teach you.
- Over-deliver. This is the one thing that will make or break you, IMHO. What does this mean? Simple: do the job better than ‘they’ are expecting.
- And lastly – remember that every job is bigger than you believe. It is up to you to set a new standard for your own job.
- Last minute tip to gain extra recognition: Be a clean freak at your workplace. I just saw our company microwave and nearly lost it. Your co-workers are not your mother.
Clean up your own mess.
For more on career tips, check out these posts:
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