12 RULES TO SURVIVE YOUR FIRST JOB

2 Rules to survive your first job

So you've spent the past few years being the life of every party, the couch potato in every home and the back bencher in every class. But now you've finally decided (or maybe others have) that it is time you got your act together and learnt how to earn a real buck. It starts way before your bed time, has a dress code different from a hot pink racer back and you can't 'bunk' work because you just don't feel like being at your desk! Don't know how to survive your first job? Take a deep breath, open your eyes wide and memorise these 12 commandments like they've dropped right from the skies for your survival. These tips are certified to make your new work life A breeze. 1) Always be punctual I, will be punctual.' Write it in stone and plonk it in the middle of your dressing table so you never forget it. Most offices allow an extension of upto 10-15 minutes in the morning, but making it any later than that can go against you and mark you as the non-sessions, uncommitted and perhaps even inefficient. It doesn't matter if you plan on spending five hours extra after work. Most employers' judge you (and your professionalism) based on what time you've made your morning entry in the register. And your future in the organisation may also depend on that as no one wants a tardy employee. Says Tamara Wilhite, author of Humanity Edge, Natural Talent and Geronimo Redeux, "Time at work correlates to ones paycheck. This is true when someone else is charging us by the hour. However, we often do not correlate our own lost time into money. Procrastination can be costly." According to Anne Watson, author of The Definitive Job Book: Rules from the Recruitment Insiders, "Punctuality is the courtesy of kings..Get there early and find out the lay of the land… Have yourself announced 10 minutes early, not half an hour early or five minutes late. Arrive composed, calm, focussed and ready to sparkle." Don't be an optimist but realistically assess the time you will take and then add 10 minutes more to allow for unexpected delays. Carry reading material or music with you wherever you go so that if you do reach early, you can keep yourself busy with some form of entertainment! 2) Appropriate clothing As much as you may hate having to ditch your skinnies for a formal pair of trousers, it's important to remember that what you wear actually does say a lot about you. Says Eunice Lawton, author of Body Language and the First Line Manager, "When we first meet people, we briefly look at their overall image before focussing on their face." "The first thing we usually notice is the clothes they are wearing… The way you dress, your choice of style and your posture will all give out messages to others about the way you view yourself and the way you wish to be viewed." Stick to basic and tasteful cuts in clothing like collared shirts, A-line skirts, basic jeans and shirts. It would be wise to start off with something conservative until you figure out what is appropriate to wear. Says career planning professional author of The Everything Get-a-Job Book and The Everything Practice Interview Book, Dawn Rosenberg McKay, "Look around you to see how others are dressed. For instance, if you work in an advertising agency and aspire to be an account executive, don't dress like the art director, whose job allows a more casual style." Since your first week may be both emotionally and physically tiring, plan what you're going to wear ahead of time so you can relax when you get back from work instead of stressing yourself over what you will wear. 3) Respect deadlines When you're in college, dates for submitting in class assignments and project deadlines can extend to up to more than a month and perhaps the only thing that matters is the daily attendance. But once you've stepped into office, forget all that! Remember that at work, you are always being tested to assess if you are contributing to the organisation or not. Says McKay, "Your performance at work impacts the organisation as a whole, your bosses, and even your co-workers. You are one spoke in the wheel that makes the organisation run. If that spoke is broken, your employer will just go out and replace it." That means that if a deadline has been assigned to you, make sure you meet it. If you feel that the workload is too much for you to handle, either ask for assistance or as a last resort, ask for an extension, but not later than a day or two. Most employers are willing to help newcomers, but only as long they see you are making an effort. Do not log on to check your latest mail or post on your blog as most computers are connected and your boss might see how you're not doing the work assigned to you and instead taking forever on the job at hand. 4) Avoid office politics Life would be great if you could enter office everyday and leave without having to worry if someone's trying to pull the rug from under your feet. But everyone's trying to get a step ahead of everyone else, so you'd be best off not getting into murky waters straightaway by getting involved in office politics. Or at least not initially! Look out for clues about how the business works under the surface and which players succeed by publicly supporting the boss. At the same time, keep an eye out for the office cynic as well as anyone who may try to be too friendly with you until you have a proper idea of the underlying tensions and equations. By being too close to one group, you could alienate yourself from others, especially if they're not popular in other parts of the company. According to a Bloomsbury publication, Steps to Success -- Tackle Office Nightmares, "Keep your own counsel during this period and work according to your own values; don't try to change your values to match those of the organisation; under pressure, your own values will reassert themselves forcefully." Proving that you are an honest worker will go well with you in the boss's eyes as well as will keep any potential gossip-mongers at bay long enough for you to make a network of allies for yourself. Make it a standing rule for yourself to be courteous to everyone, right from the higher-ups to the guards at the entrance. Additionally, while you may be a star outside the office, once you're at work, leave your ego at home so you don't create any rivals. This is because unlike informal group settings, you may be meeting your colleagues for up to more than 40 hours a week and making enemies in such an environment can put you in quite a spot. 5) Try and integrate Unlike social situations where you have the freedom of deciding who you would like to spend time with, in work situations you don't have the luxury of deciding who you want to develop business relationships with. Learn to be at least cordial with everyone (you're free to think what you want about them). Says R. Kannan, author Taking Charge of your Career, "To increase your feeling of belonging and to develop better relationships with your company, seek assignments that enable you to work with colleagues other than the group you always work with. Pitch in and help others who are in a job overload, if you have the time. You'll develop a reputation as a team player." Creating work friends and allies is always an asset as it'll not only make work a lot less dull, but can also come in handy when you need to bail out from work early or can't finish your task on time. Another smart way to build rapport is to match your non-verbal behaviour with that of the person you're speaking to. According to Eunice Lawton, author of Body Language and the First Line Manager, "Be aware of how they position their body and take up a similar stance. If you copy them exactly, it will look too obvious, so use a similar kind of body language." While you may consider this to be manipulative or plain silly, it actually works because it helps the other person feel comfortable with you without knowing why, a level of comfort being key to building relationships with other people. 6) Stay positive Agreed, no one likes being a small fish in a big sea, but when you have no choice, your next best option (after wanting to kill your boss and take over the company) is to keep a positive attitude. Says Kannan, "Having a positive attitude towards one's job and towards life in general are among the most important characteristics of successful people… A positive attitude is not coincidental. Successful people know how to create positive motivations for themselves." Mind your P's and Q's and ensure you greet everyone graciously. Do not complain continuously about your boss, an office mate or your previous job as it will only make others uneasy and uncomfortable about your constant whining. Be open to new tasks -- it will help you understand your own strengths and weaknesses. In fact, as Kannan says, treat your new job as a training ground. Most importantly, learn to accept criticism in the right spirit. If your work is criticised, try not to be defensive; rather look at it as a form of feedback. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything new that interests you. "The challenge is to find ways to get more involved in things that matter to the organisation whilst motivating yourself," he says. 7) Feel free to question If you don't understand something, ask. If you want to try something new, ask. One of the good things about being a newcomer is that you can gather as much information about peoples' working styles, the company's policies and your work profile, without sounding cheeky or conniving as it is expected that you won't know how everything works at the said organisation. According to Andrew Finlayson, author of Questions That Work: How to Ask Questions That Will Help You Succeed in Any Business, "Questions are an act of here and now. They force you to be a part of the conversation, to exchange ideas, while sharpening your mind to focus on what is wanted. They are the devices we use to shift through each day's conversation, to catch up with what is going on, and to cut through the clutter." However, he says that before you ask, make sure that you are addressing the right person and whether the person has the time to help you. Use the person's last name if you want to create a formal environment and don't beat around the bush but come to the point and make it sound like it's something worth answering. In fact, Finlayson believes that asking questions is also great for building relationships with others. Being able to help gives others a sense of importance. 8) Pick a mentor Most organisations have that one person you can look up to, respect and expect to help you, who you can call your mentor. Explains Katherine Hansen, author of Dynamic Cover Letters for New Graduates and A Foot in the Door: Network Your Way into the Hidden Job, "A mentor is that one person who can guide you, help you, take you under his or her wing, and nurture your career quest. A mentor is often in a position you'd like to be in and has the clout and connections to guide you to a similar position." Mentors can also provide institutional knowledge about your employer, your industry and the politics involved in both. Says Neil Fiore, an executive coach in Berkeley, California, US, "Mentors allow you the benefit of their experience to see around corners and anticipate what is coming at you so you can make better decisions." So what should you look for in a mentor? Find someone whose advice you respect and who is supportive and willing to offer constructive criticism. You can choose someone from your own place of employment or outside it-or both; some people have more than one mentor. At the same time, consider your goals in choosing a mentor-think about what characteristics you're looking for in him or her. It's a good idea to choose someone working in the same functional area as you are, as well as someone who shares your values as it will make it easier for you to relate to the person without feeling that you're going against your principles. However, it would be good to test the waters first by asking for advice and questions. 9) Volunteer for work Be the one who volunteers for something, like doing a coffee run or getting papers from the next room. Since you're either at the bottom of the rung at this point of your job or too new to impose your own influence, the next best alternative you have is to win people over by showing your willingness and enthusiasm for the job. This way you will be able to network and make contacts with people at various levels. In fact, author of Office Politics, Rebecca Luhn Wolfe believes, "Making friends at the top can boost an ordinary career to an exceptional one, with the help of lots of hard work of course. Those at the top can help move you faster, as well as strengthen your relationships at all levels." While this isn't a sure shot path to a raise, it definitely will help you to get to know your co-workers as well as win favours from them. Try and be the last to lunch in the early days of your joining, be the first back, and one of the last out of the door at night. Show your new colleagues that you're committed and mean business but are also looking to integrate yourself as one of the team players. However, as experts at www. monster.co.uk warn, "Take a second before you commit to saying anything when you are new. You'll be nervous anyway which will heighten your anxiety and your eagerness to please your co-workers. So consider your responses and actions. It's better to be tagged as cautious and thoughtful rather than rash and impulsive while at work." 6 things to do if you are the New Boss 'We' Are Family Thank Sister Sledge for making this song and then repeat it in your head like a mantra. Unless you joined as the new chief by capturing everyone in a war, you don't posses the right to put yourself and your convenience first in every situation. Using inclusive language such as 'we' and 'us' will help foster a feeling of collaboration. Lead By Example Come in on time, be organised, stick to deadlines and be courteous. And then see how your employees follow your steps like little goslings! Be Sensitive To Corporate Culture Resist the urge to change everything, right from the colour of the walls to office timings the minute you join. Develop a level of comfort with your staff before you start imposing your views. Show Trust in Your Team By this we don't mean sharing your relationship problems and bank details with them. Make them believe that you have faith in their capabilities and they'll put more effort and pride into their work. Spell Out Your Expectations Your employees are not mind readers, nor do they know your style of working. Make your agenda and expectations very clear at the outset so there is no confusion later on. Know Your People Make a concerted effort to learn about your workers and what their responsibilities are. The better equations you develop with them, the easier it will be for you to work. 10) Stretch your imagination One of the good things about being new to an organisation, and especially if it's your first job, is that you have no experience. And no, we're not kidding! Since you've had no formal training of how to perform different types of tasks specific to your organisation, you can afford to try new ideas and methods graduates is so that they can work on the host of fresh ideas from young minds and then mould them according to their company values. Experts at www. wikihow.com, say, "While you may have lots to learn, you also bring a fresh perspective and you probably bring experience from other companies or jobs. Try to turn that into fresh energy, new ideas and initiative that will make you stand out among your new colleagues". If your boss gives you only vague guidelines on how to do a project, and you don't get much help on asking, start analysing and creating your own techniques that will help you understand what works for you and what is acceptable by your boss. Most bosses withhold information to test their employees' breaking point as well as to help them develop their own critical thinking techniques, which is good for you in the long run. In fact, as Charles E. Watson, author of book What Smart People Do When Dumb Things Happen at Work says that new recruits should give up their childish notion that the boss must tell them how to do every aspect of their work. "Learn to spend spare moments thinking about the questions you had and developing your own solutions. Most importantly, you need to start experimenting. Many people fear failure so much that they refuse to try, thereby crippling their ability to learn from trial and error," he says. Show that you're made of sterner stuff and get those grey cells wizzing. 11) How to handle hostility It's all very well that you're putting in hard work and trying to win people over. But what if you're faced by hostility from insecure colleagues? Obviously you would want to impress your boss, finish your work on time and volunteer as much as you can-but this could also be perceived as a threat by others! However, that doesn't mean you should paste yourself to the wall so that no one notices you! Say Milo Sindell and Thuy Sindell, authors of Sink or Swim, "First, try to bring to the surface the reasons behind the attitude. Ask questions to understand what's really going on. Second, change the conversation. However, there may be times when you may have brought the situation onto yourself without even realising it! Experts at www.monster. co.uk say, "Even if you're already experienced in your role, don't assume you can simply do what you did before in the same way. Keep your eyes and ears open." 12) Do nat argue We may sound like your mom when you were 10, but she knew something back then that will definitely come in handy now. One of the most useful talents you can acquire, apart from standing on your head and doing the Macarena, is the fine art of taking a good chewing out by the boss. Firstly, you are new to the job, and there may be a bleak chance that the boss knows a bit more than you do. Secondly, your boss does not have a personal hatred for you (unless you stole her lover or Dior bag) so even if you do get a slap on the wrist, don't take it as a personal attack. Says Watson, "The wrong way to acknowledge a reprimand is to give excuses, to argue, to defend your actions. The right way is to lower your head, accept the tongue lashing, apologise, and promise not to make the mistake again. " Most supervisors would rather not tell-off their employees if they don't have to. And since you're anyway new to the job, you're best off not offending your seniors by hurting their ego. However, this does not mean that you have to cower down and lap up everything said to you. Experts at www.ivillage. com believe, "The more confident you are, the less rudeness and arrogance will be able to penetrate your defences. A lot actually depend depends on how you react. If harsh words have you cowering and doing as you're told without a murmur, that will show you're easy to intimidate." If you feel something is out of context or unacceptable, try a smiling, 'I beg your pardon' as if you need clarifications. When asked to repeat something, it often makes the questioner reflect momentarily on what they said and check its appropriateness. 6 unwritten rules at office: Keep the ringer low Unless you're advertising for your wedding cum party band, it's best to keep the ringer on low or on vibrate mode. Yes, we know it has an MP3 player. Limit face booking The day you become a big star and are paid only to write your comments on what you think of penguins mating in Antarctica, you can surf the net the whole day long. Find a place Everyone loves the thought of burnt tobacco being blown into their face. NOT. Take your nicotine fix away from people who may not like smoking. Mind the volume If you enjoy listening to music on your iPod or taking breaks to talk with your best bud, keep it soft. Remember, you're not being paid to make others deaf. Be polite A simple smile and a warm 'hello' will not only make the other person's day, but will also boomerang good karma to you. And we can all do with a bit of that! Ask before borrowing Some people love their stationary more than life itself. Ask them before taking any of it away.