Welcome to the HRIR Career Newsletter! Brought to you by the GBCC Starting your new job/internship!

Success at your new job/internship By: Bernie Milano Once the celebration over landing a new job/internship ends, the tough part begins. Your journey to success depends on how hard and how efficiently you are willing to work. It is important to be conscientious and diligent in your work. Know your company's goals, your department goals and your personal goals.

Put in your hours! Find out from your boss exactly what is expected of you and always do your best to fulfill or exceed these expectations. Try to obtain direct feedback on how you can improve. Be willing to arrive to work early and stay late, if that is what it takes to complete your project. Putting in extra time shows that you take your job seriously.

Take initiative! Taking initiative is another great way to succeed on the job and get noticed. If you are done with your own projects, ask others if they need help with theirs. Volunteer to take on more difficult tasks. Show your boss that you are capable of performing duties other than those you are assigned. Self-motivation is essential to success.

Network! An intelligent way to meet other valuable employees and find out "who's who" in the company is to network. Knowing who does what for who increases your list of resources to go to when you need help. If you meet and get to know at least one person in your department each day for one month, you will be able to obtain enough information on how the company is run and who the key players are.

Relax! Handling stressful situations with dignity and poise is key to succeeding in a new environment. Although you may be overwhelmed with phone calls, faxes and deadlines, remember to calm down and relax before dealing with stressful situations. When you think before you react, you increase your chances of making the right decision and ultimately succeeding on the job.

Getting through your first day… Your first day is here. Put on the one suit that you know makes you shine. If you feel confident, you'll look confident to others. Whether you're driving to work or using mass transit, be sure to leave plenty of time to get there early. Treat it like a job interview, and remember first impressions do count.

Respect their way of doing things! While it's okay to hold onto some of the things you learned in your previous jobs and use that knowledge in your new job, remember that every workplace has its own way of doing things.

Respect their way of doing things! Although you want to contribute and make a good impression, your first few weeks on a job is not the time to suggest changing the entire compensation system. Get a feel for the company, which people are interested in change, and who will likely resist change.

Your Next Few Weeks, Months... The length of time it takes you to adjust to a new job varies from person to person, and job to job. While you may fit in immediately at some jobs, it may take a little longer in others. And some people seem to fit in immediately wherever they go. All you can do is try your best, and do your job the best way you know how. The following tips may help...

Your Next Few Weeks, Months...  Ask questions. You're new and it's better to do something right the first time around than have to do it over.  Use your lunch hours to get together with your current co-workers, although it may be tempting to meet up with your former ones.  Smile a lot and be friendly. Get to know your co- workers and what their interests are.  Don't complain about your boss, your office mate, any co-workers, or your previous job.

Your Next Few Weeks, Months...  Pay attention to the grapevine, but don't contribute to it. You don't want to gain a reputation as a gossip monger.  Continue to arrive early and don't rush out the door at the end of the day.  Volunteer for projects that will help you get noticed, but don't neglect any assigned work.  Keep a positive attitude and an open mind. Your life has changed and it will take getting used to.

Resources Want more information about how to be successful at your new job or internship? Check out the following materials...

Resources –Breaking the Ice on a New Job The hardest part of starting a new job is meeting new people, who already have established relationship with one another. This article from Ka-ching.com tells you how to approach people and in order to begin developing relationships of your own.Breaking the Ice on a New Job –The First 90 Days in a New Job Here's good advice from the University of Baltimore Career Center: Since the first 90 days at a new job is usually the probationary period, it's imperative that you do your best to ensure continued employment. This article gives some valuable tips.The First 90 Days in a New Job –Handling the Stress of a New Job Anyone who has ever worked knows the stress of starting a job. Your co-workers all know each other and you know no one. Everyone knows where everything is and you can't even find the bathroom. Here are some strategies to help you reduce your anxiety.Handling the Stress of a New Job

Resources –Making the Most of a New Job In this ABCNews.com article, Working Wounded columnist Bob Rosner helps you make a smooth transition into your new job. Mr. Rosner gives you easy to follow and practical advice that will help you succeed during your first sixty days and beyond.Making the Most of a New Job –New Job Proverbs College Grad Job Hunter gives important tips to help you succeed on a new job. These tips cover much more than your first days or even weeks of work. Learn how to make financial decisions, deal with office politics, and develop interpersonal skills.New Job Proverbs

GBCC Resources The GBCC will still be a valuable resource to all students, even after graduation. If you are looking for a employment post-graduation, the GBCC is interested in helping you find your dream job! We are here all summer and are happy to help you with career search and career advancement questions.

Good Luck! Congratulations to all graduating HRIR students and to those who have made it through their first year. We wish you luck and look forward to hearing about your successes throughout your career!