CAMPUS life is carefree, with only the year-end exams instilling the fear of God! But a job calls for both discipline and a mindset for learning; it’s not just another step but a new phase in one’s life. Many may find that college doesn’t remotely prepare you for life at work. Here are some pointers in making the transition. Be acceptable
Wear your best formal clothes on Day 1; it’s prudent to dress conservatively unless you are working in creative domains like advertising or design shops. Observe how other people dress and do accordingly. In India, managers usually take the new recruit on a walk-around introducing the members of the team to which one is assigned. Be pleasant and pay attention to their job description. It is advisable to come to your workstation and jot down the names as a memory aid.
1. Arrive early. During my first week, I found that manager got to work half an hour early. I followed her cue and was at my desk by 9 a.m, whereas everyone else arrived by 9:30. I found time to prepare my action lists for the day in quiet before the phones started buzzing.
2. Mind your manners. In your first month, guard against any controversy. Be polite and respectful to everyone. Say “Hello” or “Good Morning” when your eyes meet any of your colleagues; a genuine smile wins more friends. Another poor habit is to stay on the cell phone for intolerably long lengths of time for personal calls.
3. Organization is key. It’s of prime importance to plan the day and have a “day’s to-do list”. Keep ticking them on accomplishing them. The difference between completing a task on time and being reminded for being sloppy is a thin one. The Microsoft Outlook Calendar integrates e-mails, contacts, and other features. Use it effectively, to create appointments and events, organise meetings, form work groups, share PPT with colleagues and much more. Teuxdeux.com is another great online application to help organise yourself.
4. Recognize that skill-building takes time. A major responsibility at my job was preparing questionnaires. The first time I started drafting questionnaires they were disasters – too bookish and of little relevance to the brand under study. My manager would tear them to shreds and come down heavily as he coached me. My second attempt was better and by the third or fourth my skill was almost as good as his.
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The second trait at work is “lifestyle”. It would be a crime to wear starched whites when the place is teaming with people in faded jeans, Rajasthani slippers and ponytail. Or vice versa too – you may be too casual and the firm, a stickler for rules with little space for interactions. Make the effort to get comfortable in your surroundings and with people; only then would others perceive you as “one of them”.
Be cautious
There are two primary temptations to guard against – cribbing about the boss or any colleague, is certain to boomerang. Two, office PCs or laptops are not for personal surfing. Many have been sacked for visiting forbidden sites. Rajiv Malhotra, 38, Vector Solutions in New York counsels, “These days systems administrators can track the websites visited and it would take a lot of explaining when caught. !”
The first job offers an excellent ground to develop skills. Two years of gritting at a place, making friends and winning respect will do wonders for one’s career. Well begun is half done really.
Law of abundant caution
There are two primary temptations to guard against – cribbing about the boss or any colleague, is certain to boomerang. Even if others fill you in with their problems, it’s no reason to let your guard down with your stories. Two, office PCs or laptops are not meant for personal surfing. Many have been sacked for visiting forbidden sites of the nature of erotica and beyond.
Rajiv Malhotra, 38, Vector Solutions in New York counsels,” These days systems administrators in company can track the websites visited and it would take a lot of explaining when caught visiting a recruitment site. Never apply for another job from office!” The first job affords an excellent ground to develop skills – both on the job and improving people’s skills. Two years of gritting at a place, making friends and winning respect will do wonders for one’s confidence and career path. A good beginning is half done really.
There are two primary temptations to guard against – cribbing about the boss or any colleague, is certain to boomerang. Even if others fill you in with their problems, it’s no reason to let your guard down with your stories. Two, office PCs or laptops are not meant for personal surfing. Many have been sacked for visiting forbidden sites of the nature of erotica and beyond.
Rajiv Malhotra, 38, Vector Solutions in New York counsels,” These days systems administrators in company can track the websites visited and it would take a lot of explaining when caught visiting a recruitment site. Never apply for another job from office!” The first job affords an excellent ground to develop skills – both on the job and improving people’s skills. Two years of gritting at a place, making friends and winning respect will do wonders for one’s confidence and career path. A good beginning is half done really.
| Quick bites | |
| Good professional traits | First week tips |
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