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Fake it ’til you make it

Set the stage for your career in the first week

My name is Frank, this is Sarah, Paul, Allie, here’s your desk, can you have this done today?, and lunch is at noon. Starting a new career can be exciting but overwhelming. And if this is the beginning of your dream career you want to nail that first week.

“Be quiet and observe,” Turnaround Coach, Sherri Olsen said. “So you can be bright and stand out when the moment arrives.”

Students need to listen, ask appropriate questions and know their place, she said “Don’t try too hard. It always backfires” and “you’ll get noticed in the wrong way.”

Don’t go in there saying “I’m going to show you how it’s done,” she said.

“You need to undo the negative stereotypes of younger generation,” she said. The idea youth come to work with the “sense of entitlement”, or have “no work ethics.”

Advantage Tech Inc, Chief Executive Officer, Sam Travis has worked in the human resources and management consulting business for 30 years.

“Think marketing. Sell yourself. You’re the product,” he said. “Potential can be recognized quickly within an organization.”

Students need to remember “the first impression is crucial,” he said. “Think before you act, show up to work on time, and (be) ready for work.”

Don’t be afraid to ask if you’re unclear about a task or assignment. “Notebooks are very valuable because you forget things,” he said. “Write important things down.”

Be friendly to everyone but “don’t be too quick to make friends at work,” he said. “Here is where the problem is, you become a manager or supervisor” and these work ‘friends’ usually have trouble with the transition.

Don’t post photos to Facebook of the wild Friday night if you’ve friended anyone from work. “You have no idea how many people are losing their jobs because of Facebook,” he said.

Talking or texting with friends or family 20 times a day is not acceptable in most companies. Call or text only during scheduled coffee breaks and lunchtime.

Keep in mind, companies are legally allowed to monitor internet usage and e-mails. “You would be surprised how many students and adults have emails that are inappropriate,” he said.

Dress appropriate for the work environment. You are not at a nightclub out to score, so don’t dress in a distracting manner. Travis said, “If you have piercings or tattoos, you should generally dress so they are covered.

“I believe that if students follow this advice, they will ace their first week at work without question,” he said. “The goal in the beginning is not to win the race, but to avoid hitting the ditch.” There is “lots of time in the months/years to come to be a star.”

The Do’s and Don’ts list according to Advantage Tech Inc.’s three most experienced consultants, including Travis.

Do’s

• Check the corporate culture to see policies on web surfing, personal phone calls, and Facebook.
• Find out corporate policies and allowable smoking areas.
• Be on time, look good, and be ready for work.
• Learn everything in the first few months on the job. Read all the manuals, industry magazines, online journals, subscribe to Google.com/Alerts.
• Set up the required tools. good tools = good work
• Ask questions.
• Find a mentor to assist with the office unwritten rules like office hours and dress code.
• Listen, listen, listen but don’t get pulled into any “office politics”.
• Take notes.
• Remember that there is a learning curve to every job.

Don’ts
• No long distance personal calls, or personal emails.
• No sketchy internet sites.
• No stealing the office supplies.
• Absolutely no dates with anyone associated with work.

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