Congratulations to all the new (or soon-to-be) college graduates. Completing your degree is a great accomplishment. There is no doubt many things were learned during those academic years that will help to prepare you for the future. However, there are some things that often come as a shock to new graduates starting their first career role. Here is a list of seven to watch for.
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The workday probably lasts more than eight hours. (And eight hours feels way longer than the longest, most boring class you ever took.) For many office-related roles, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. is a typical workday, which equals nine hours. Why do you need at least nine hours to make an eight-hour day? Lunch breaks and runs to get coffee and snacks a few times per day take up time. If you are not working, that time is usually not considered part of your workday. So, with a lunch and a couple of 20-minute breaks, your nine hours become more of an eight-hour workday.
You should not text and talk to your boss (or co-workers) at the same time — ever. It may have been OK with your friends. It may even have worked with your parents — but it should not be tried with your manager. Focused attention is important to truly understanding what is being asked of you. It makes the other person feel respected and valued. Plus, it is usually much nicer to see someone’s eyes instead of the top of their head. Act like the person your colleagues saw in the interview process — an attentive professional.
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Take selfies sparingly — if at all. Selfie-taking is rampant on campus and in social settings. Apparently, there are many times throughout the day when it makes perfect sense to take a picture and upload it to your social media. However, the “work selfie” is not as popular and can often be unacceptable. (The only exception is if you are hired as part of the social media team charged with conveying internal corporate culture.) For everyone else, temper your desire to capture the moment with a pic when in the office. Your restraint will add years to your perceived experience level.
Confidentiality matters. Treat information about pay, someone’s performance and proprietary company information as one-way streets. Information may come in your direction, but do not send it back out. Employees who are unable to keep sensitive information confidential cannot be trusted. If you cannot be trusted, you are rarely a top candidate for promotions to management.
Think before you react. Outside of work, a knee-jerk overreaction may require some apologetic conversations with a healthy dose of groveling. At work, overreaction may result in termination. Upset the wrong person, and you may not be able to undo the damage. Before responding to any emotionally charged situation in the office, pause and ponder what is the most appropriate response. Often, the best reaction is not to react at all.
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When in doubt, talk (don’t text) it out. Resist the urge to text or email whenever a question comes up. It is very challenging to control how another person will interpret a written message — especially when you are still learning the ropes of professional life. Relationships are built with in-person conversation. Look for opportunities to talk directly with someone and leave email as a last choice.
You do not know how much you do not know. It makes quite a tongue twister, but it accurately reflects how many people feel as they adjust to life off campus. The good news is that the shift from accomplished student to naïve career newbie to focused associate can happen swiftly if you plan for it. No one expects the new grad to know much about the workplace. Chances are you were hired for your keen ability to learn new things and to apply your energy and passion to solve problems. In short, companies hire new graduates to benefit from their future growth, not because of their past experiences. Embrace this new phase and let your potential help you make the most of your first career role.
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