5 Tips for Surviving Your First Job
It's finally that time... you're working at your first big job. You've already submitted the perfect resume, built your LinkedIn profile and used your connections to land your dream job. Below I am going to outline a couple of my workplace survival tips.
Always over deliver
Sis, you have to go above and beyond the call of duty when presented with tasks. This means, doing extra research for your boss, reading more about the competition and raising your hand to work on new client work. If you want to survive your first job, you've gotta maintain value with your employer. Make yourself an asset by giving more information via email and always responding timely to emails even if you don't have the answer.
Pro tip: Tell your co-worker that you are working on the large task that they placed before you rather than AND provide a realistic dat that it will be complete versus NOT responding until the large tasks is complete. Nobody will want to work with you if you're not a great communicator and don't deliver.
Be genuine
The advertising business is small. The fashion industry is small. I'm sure every other business industry is small, too. You have to be honest and direct with your co-workers. You don't need to be best friends to give people honest feedback and good conversation. People hire people that they genuinely like. Nobody is going to bat for someone that they hate because their work is good. Be kind and genuine to your co-workers. I'm still working at my first job and one thing I've noticed is that amongst our differences at work, each person in my department comes to work everyday with a good vibe and ready to work attitude.
Pro tip: Greet everyone you pass in the morning with a "Hello" and smile.
Don't connect on social media
Do not make this make, please. I'm against adding co-workers on social media because:
1. You can't vent about work
2. You can't vent about your co-workers while they are all watching
3. Political and religious views on social media can skew perception
4. It's intrusive
5. It's awkward if someone gets let go or leaves
Honestly, if you work in social media like myself this rule may or may not apply. There's a fine line between being social media friends and real friends. I had to remind myself that I am just a woman, not a robot and sometimes I need to decompress. Social media should not be where you vent, but somedays it works. Pro tip: If you are going to add someone from work on Twitter then add everyone from work on Twitter. It gets weird when you've only added a few peeps.
Overdress to start
Don't start your new job in sweats and sneakers. During your first few days in the office, overdress until you catch a vibe for the company culture. It never hurts to throw on a pair of heels... even if you keep a pair of flats in your bag.
Pro tip: Do some research on your industry and observe style habits. Also, during your interview be sure to ask about the company dress code. Click here to watch my white button-down lookbook. Need more? Click here to get work outfit inspiration via my Pinterest.
Share your Interests
Like I said earlier, people like people. Do you have a huge lipstick collection? Work at your church? Obsessed with Harry Potter? Share that news with your co-workers when the opportunity presents itself. Make yourself personable. Sharing your personal interests with your co-workers gives you leverage in conversation and makes you that much more amazing.
That's all she wrote, literally. Thank you so much for reading. I hope that you found these tips helpful. I wish you nothing but the best as you take on your first job. You can do amazing things, sis. For more tips work purchase 4 Social Branding Rules Every Grad Should Know here.
Do you have any tips or questions about the workplace? Leave your thoughts below. Peace.
Ps. Don't forget to follow me on instagram, pinterest, facebook, and twitter.