SU Career Services Workshop Twelve Steps to First-Year Job Success

First Day-What to do? Positive attitude Dress to impress Be friendly Get to know the names of your colleagues Ask relevant questions Take notes Take initiative Know the companies history Be punctual Make the best of all situations

First-Year Job Success-Twelve Steps 1. Adopt the right attitudes * Don’t hang on to student attitudes and behaviors too long. * Understand and earn the rights, responsibilities and credibility of your cohorts

2. Adjust your expectations * If you work at keeping your expectations realistic, you won’t be disappointed. * Expect to be surprised. The odds are that many things about your job won’t be what you expect them to be.

3. Master breaking-in skills * Learn the art of being new * The more you understand about being a new employee the better off you’ll be in long run.

4. Manage the impressions you make * “The first impression you make is the last impression you make.” * Everything you do will be magnified, thus build a good professional reputation. * Want your co-workers to notice your professional maturity.

5. Build effective relationships * Pay attention to how people communicate and work together. * Find ways to “fit in” * Remember, you can’t change the culture until you are accepted into it.

6. Become a good follower * Watch your colleagues, pay attention to the things they spend their time on. * Learn the norms and values of the organization by watching how other behave. *Remember that it takes skill to be a good subordinate; you can’t become a good leader until you have learned to be a good follower

7. Understand your organization’s culture * Pay attention to the ways things are done around the office * Understand what people expect of you, particularly the accepted work ethic, social norms, and the limits of behavior

8. Develop organizational savvy * Every organization has its rites of passage before you can become a full member of the team.

9. Understand your new-hire role *Understand how big a role “being new” plays in everything that happens. *Co-workers understand the transition period, so don’t be frustrated.

10. Develop work savvy * Learn what your boss wants, needs and expects-and then do it. *If you make your boss look good, you will succeed.

11. Master the tasks of your job * Remember that it takes skill to be a good subordinate; you can’t become a good leader until you have learned to be a good follower

12. Acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities you need * Be a good listener * Make sure you understand what is required * Learn from the people who have the experience

Five Effective Work Habits for New Graduates Volunteer for assignments Be nice to EVERYONE Prioritize Your Work Be positive all the time If there is a problem-bring solutions to solve it

Any Questions??