Top 5 Tips for College Grads Entering the Working World

1) Build a Relationship With Your Boss:

Like it or not, no single individual has a greater impact on your career future than your direct supervisor. So, how do you get on their good side from the start? Managers want to feel that you truly care, and that you are "in it with them" as a team. Bring your boss solutions, not problems. When a problem arises, take initiative to consider what alternatives are available. Don't just throw the problem on their desk and have them figure it out. Always ask your boss for advice on what you or the company could do better. Offer to stay late for projects, even if they might not be your responsibility. Amazingly, many Americans rush out the door at 4:59 without even saying "Goodnight."

2) Display Professionalism and Maturity:

Unfortunately, the immature stereotype of young professionals does present a common barrier to advancement. Often, how you respond to adversity in a situation defines your professional maturity. A young professional views a mistake as a catastrophe, while a mature professional considers it a bump in the road. A young professional is quick blame to others, while a mature professional takes responsibility, and asks how a team can work better together in the future. There will always be differences of opinion on how best to do things in an organization, but they shouldn't escalate to confrontation. Tact, diplomacy, and rational adult conversation should reign.

3) Find a Mentor Within the Company/Industry:

Take advice from someone who has succeeded, and they will help you succeed. Makes sense, doesn't it? Some companies sponsor structured mentor programs, as do many professional organizations. Be sure to investigate these options first. Otherwise, you must rely on a more informal method of finding a mentor. You might believe these people are too busy, or too important to talk to you. However, most people want to share their secrets to success with someone who really wants to listen. They also understand mentoring helps contribute to the future success of the company by helping to develop other young leaders. Besides, they probably had a mentor, too.

4) Undertake a Strategic Development Plan:

It's never too early to start thinking about where your current job will take you. Understand typical advancement paths from your position, and what training and development is needed for advancement. Invest in yourself and learn from colleagues, books, seminars, and professional organizations. Try to identify your niche or area of specialization within a company or industry that will be in demand in the future. Where do you want to be in 2 years, or 5 years? You must take develop your own strategic game plan, and hold yourself accountable.

5) Avoid Dangerous Pitfalls:

A recent study by Harvard University showed that for every firing due to failure to perform, there are two firings due to personality conflicts within a team. There could be temptations to mislead a customer to get one more sale, or hide a mistake from management. Internet and e-mail abuse is still a widespread problem. Further, the threat of sexual harassment is real. Often, the intent of the offender may not necessarily be malicious, but rather they don't realize the difference between what is appropriate in the workplace vs. a "night out at the clubs." It is imperative to understand the rules of the game, and abide by those rules, to avoid irreparable damage to your career from the start.

Andy Masters is a nationally recognized speaker from St. Louis, and is author of the newly released book Life After College: What to Expect and How to Succeed in Your Career. Andy earned an M.A.-Human Resources Development and an M.A.-Marketing from Webster University. Visit http://www.life-after-college.com or e-mail am1@life-after-college.com for more information on the book, seminars, and additional resources.

---

Job Hunting Tips: Assessing Personal Value

A week out of work is a vacation. You can... Read More

How to Make Money as a Reflexologist

Being a reflexologist is one of the top five career... Read More

6 Steps to Re-inventing Your Career

Meaningful work honors the deepest part of your being. It... Read More

How To Resign Gracefully

Once a new job has been accepted, you need to... Read More

Employment Under A Microscope

A certain amount of oversight is involved in almost any... Read More

The Dog Days of Job Hunting

Does a headline like this scare you? it should because... Read More

How to Track Your Right Career

Are you lost in the wilderness when it comes to... Read More

What Students and Parents MUST Know about Student Loans

A student loan helps you get through college. Then you... Read More

Freelance Work: The Changing Face of Employment

The world sure is changing, and if you look at... Read More

Job Dissatisfaction

Job dissatisfaction is a driving force behind individuals seeking employment... Read More

Seeking A New Job While Currently Employed : Tiptoeing Through the Minefield

So, you currently have a job but you are looking... Read More

Waiting for Lightening to Strike

Author and management guru, Peter Drucker says, "People adjust to... Read More

Making The Best Of Yourself At Interview

You are just about to leave university You are just... Read More

Find Passion for Your Work

Most people spend approximately 25% to over 67% of their... Read More

What You Should Never Put on Your Resume

Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume"Everybody... Read More

Interview Preparation

The dreaded job interview is the Number 1 source of... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Career Opportunity and Employee Retention

This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores... Read More

Interview Tips - Ten Top Dos & Donts for Winning Interviews

In this day and age it can become increasingly difficult... Read More

Make Your Résumé Sizzle with Success Stories

In today's competitive job market you can't afford a résumé... Read More

Job Search Tip for College Students

Today everyone is looking for that special job that will... Read More

What Can I Do To Improve My Job-Interviewing Skills?

Whether you're a student job seeker or a polished and... Read More

Tackling Your Unemployment Creatively

Are you unemployed or been laid off? You are not... Read More

What A Former Stay At Home Mom Knows About Creating A Stunning Resume That You Dont

Recently I was asked to touch up a friend's resume.... Read More

A Bit of Pollyanna

"Stop being such a Pollyanna," a trusted, more experienced colleague... Read More

The Squirrel Effect

An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a... Read More

Switching Careers - 7 Key Steps

Are you thinking about switching careers? If you are, you're... Read More

Why Your CV/Resume is Not Generating The Interview Offers You Want

If your current CV or resume is not generating the... Read More

How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?

Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More

Corporate World: Jungle Or Paradise?

The road to the top is not easy, it is... Read More

Is A Career a Calling or Choice?

How much of our career path is destiny and how... Read More

Looking the Part

I don't know his name and he wasn't trying to... Read More

Common Résumé Mistakes

Using a general résumé.DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use... Read More

The Role of a Medical Assistant in a Modern Medical Practice

Many physicians are unsure of what tasks are appropriate to... Read More