Surviving the First Year at Work

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Surviving the First Year at Work

• Bill Fenson
• Coordinator, Business Career Services
• University of Texas at Arlington

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Congratulations!

• Making the transition from flip-flops to business
  suits can be both exciting and nerve-racking
• You may consider taking some time to unwind and
  mentally prepare for the work world
• It is important to recognize the realities and
  opportunities presented when starting work to
  make the transition successful

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College vs. Work

• Flexible schedule Being out till 3am and having
  late classes or skipping classes
• Goof off and get notes from friends and still
  make a good grade
• The roll out of bed look is acceptable

• Be Punctual There are not many excuses for being
  tardy or absent
• Real word is less tolerant of mistakes and
  demands top performance
• Dress for success aids in building a good
  reputation

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Before Arriving

• Image is Important Update your wardrobe
• What is the companys dress code? Formal dress or
  business casual?
• Up-front investment in clothing is beneficial
  Free shirts are no longer in
• Create a budget
• Paycheck is generally 30 less than gross salary
• Make a list of essential expenses and note how
  much buffer is left for additional expenses

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Before Arriving

• Read the Companys Policy Beforehand
• Terms such as PPO, HMO, POS, PCP, 401k, etc. can
  be overwhelming
• Be proactive and research the terms and meet with
  your human resources representative to clarify
  any questions
• Procedures may seem meaningless and common sense
  but can come up later

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Excuse me?

• ASK QUESTIONS!
• One of the biggest regrets is not asking for more
  information at the beginning.
• Dont try to reinvent the wheel. Asking a simple
  question could save maybe a half days worth of
  work.
• People may not sit down and teach you step by
  step what has to be done but by asking questions,
  you are showing the need for clarification and
  also that you want understand what is being asked
  of you

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Saving and Investing

• Understand the time value of money
• Try putting 15-20 (or the companys maximum)
  into your 401k as early as possible. It could be
  the difference of thousands of dollars and many
  years!
• Example Jack and Jill each start working at 22.
  Jill opens a qualified retirement plan at 12 and
  invests 2000/year and STOPS after 6 years. Jack
  spends an extra 2000 on himself for the first 6
  years and THEN opens a qualified retirement plan
  at 12 and invests 2000 for 37 YEARS. Jill
  invested only 12,000 to Jacks 74,000. At the
  age of 65 each of them will accumulated the same
  amount 1,363,780!

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From the Sidelines

• Observe the office culture
• Understand how things work and whos who in the
  office hierarchy
• Initially, listen to others and understand their
  position before articulating your own
• Communicate effectively

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Hello, My Name is

• Get to know each of your colleagues
  professionally
• Be tactful, be honest, be modest, yet direct
• Do not focus on someones weakness do not talk
  behind their back. Rather focus on your strengths
• Network
• Understand where each person in your department
  stands and what his or her duties are
• If you are not an expert in something, find out
  who is and set up a meeting to learn what they
  know

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Catching On

• Be flexible to office adjustments and work tasks
• Take the initiative to go beyond the initial job
  description and help others
• Be a team player
• Be cooperative
• Dont manipulate or use people for your own
  personal gain

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Your Supervisor

• Unlike a college professor, a supervisor will
  send the worker to find the answers, be vague on
  what is expected in a task and may assign tasks
  last minute
• Accept that your supervisors job is to train you
  and at times will seem difficult to work with
• He or she is not a sound board for your personal
  problems
• Too much awareness can affect your maturity,
  professionalism and competence

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Identifying a Mentor

• It is important to develop good relationships
  with co-workers with good reputations
• A mentor will be able to provide insight on the
  work culture and expectations as well as provide
  guidance in what is expected of you
• Processing your first year of professional
  development will give you an opportunity to
  receive feedback as well reflect on the various
  aspects of your career path and job

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Frame of Reference

• No matter how difficult, unreasonable, crazed the
  job, the work or your supervisor seem, it is
  important to keep a positive state of mind
• Concentrating on strengths rather than weaknesses
  can change your perspective that your environment
  is more manageable

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Extracurricular Activities

• Unlike college, the work schedule does not give
  breaks throughout the day
• Realize you are going to have more free time in
  the evening because you will not have class
  assignments
• It is important to branch out and make social
  networks because they will not be as available as
  they were in college

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Keys to Future Success

• Six key people skills employers expect to see
  in the future
• Problem-solving
• Ethics
• Open-mindedness
• Persuasiveness
• Leadership
• Educational interests (willing to go in for
  further training or learn more about unfamiliar
  areas

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Keys to Future Success (contd)

• People build these skills over time and develop
  them through observation and experience
• Do what you can to allow yourself to grow
  professionally
• Attend formal classes
• Volunteer in professional committees
• Be aware of your goals and what has to be done to
  attain them

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Final Thoughts and Tips

• Go in with a open mind, show maturity and poise
  and that you work well with others. You may begin
  to be chosen for better assignments
• Spend time observing how people act, who takes
  initiatives and who performs well. Dont join a
  clique right away

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• You are in charge of the direction of your career
  path at the end, you are responsible for both
  your failures and successes
• Be PROACTIVE in the way you approach your career