Congratulations on graduating college and landing your very first “grown-up” job! On the one hand you must be relieved to have a job right out of school, and on the other hand you must be sweating with anxiety on how to handle yourself competently. You already proved yourself by graduating with a sound GPA, scoring an interview, receiving a call-back interview, visiting the office, getting an offer, negotiating the offer, and accepting the offer.And now you’ve got that great first job to help build your career, but how do you transition from campus life to corporate life?
Act the part . . . .
Make a graceful and poised entrance, carry yourself with confidence and pride, and have an aura that’s endearing and friendly. You got the job, now own the job! Whether your first job is a prestigious attorney position at a large law firm, or a secretarial position with the potential for advancement, walk through those doors with self-assurance and self-belief, and you will be taken seriously. Just remember, there are no “do-overs” when it comes to making a good first impression so set the tone from the beginning. Envision how you would like to be perceived at work, and then fill up your day doing just that. Accept delegated work with enthusiasm and have an eager attitude that makes your superiors just as eager to hand you more and more responsibilities. Keep in mind that your boss doesn’t expect you to know everything; in fact, most bosses hiring a recent graduate expect you to know nothing. But it’s the sense of reliability, attitude, and ability to learn quickly that help you climb that corporate ladder. So when you’re given a tough task and don’t know where to begin or how to proceed, ask questions and show you did some research before-hand. Managers love when new employees take initiative and ask smart questions. Talk through your thought-process and offer your analysis on the project. Show that you’re taking your assignment seriously and care about doing a great job. Ask for periodic feedback to gauge your performance and you are well on your way to beginning your fabulous first job!
Speak the part . . . .
This can be rather challenging at first because literally overnight, you are required to work alongside individuals with a decade or two of experience on you. It can be intimidating when everyone knows exactly what to say at exactly the right time….except you. It will become second nature over time, but to fit in at work, just watch and learn. Most skills in life are taught by observation, which is why it’s always important to set good examples. Speaking the part also means not taking everything personally. Sometimes, it’s just business. And it’s important, especially for young women in the workforce and in their first job, to develop a thick skin. Take things in jest, and let things roll off your back with ease. Keep your cool and stay collected, but don’t let all comments get you all worked up in a tizzy. People will always make offensive comments, but know how to distinguish between a joke and a more serious innuendo. Bring out your thick skin during tough criticism and feedback periods, but make sure you stay alert for any behavior disallowed in the workplace. There’s a fine line between letting things slide, and speaking up when needed. And speaking the part means growing that thick skin and toughening up a little.
Dress the part . . . .
This is the fun part about starting your first job! Building your wardrobe collection! But it can be rather tricky figuring out if an outfit is work appropriate. Depending on the industry, some offices dress in business casual and some in business formal. And others adopt “casual Friday” dress for every day of the week. Business casual is usually the most obscure for young professionals to interpret when starting their first job. As a baseline, business casual means akhaki or gabardine pant paired with a long-sleeved button down or polo shirt for men. And for women, a khaki or cotton pant (or knee-length skirt) paired with a sweater, cardigan, collared shirt, or a nice blouse. Of course, all clothes should be neatly pressed. While business casual has been the norm for quite some time, and is still the dress code of choice for many organizations, our society as a whole is moving forward and becoming more progressive. This means there is room for personal expression and flair in the way we dress, but it is very company and industry specific. So if you are apprehensive about what to wear on your first day, just call and ask. It’s the easiest solution. During your office visit, did you get the impression that tattoos and body piercings are not part of the corporate culture? In some cases, these would be perfectly acceptable (such as the music and entertainment industries) and in others it would be a definite mistake (such as the banking or legal professions). Dressing the part adds credibility to your name because you’re judged, in large part, on what you wear in your first job.
First Job by Suma Sreedharan
