Comments on: 8 Job Tips for New Graduates

By: Tyler

Tyler — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:22:43 +0000

Being a manager, I can’t agree with the advice. I have seen a lot of ‘college’ hot-shots come and go here recently. I don’t understand why people think that just becasue they got out of college they are going to make 40K+ a year. I mean, a few positions maybe, but if all you have if life guarding as experience on your resume I can tell you, don’t expect more than 32K. College is actually the norm now, where as 20 years ago, I don’t believe it was.

Also, #8… Who says you are reporting to a ‘her’… I like how you ‘knowingly’ threw that in there…

By: Jorge

Jorge — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:52:41 +0000

I completely agree with all of the advise that is listed. I am a college student and served previously in the military. I feel that it takes more than just a professional attitude to succeed in an work environment; it also requires a professional etiquette.

By: George

George — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:59:35 +0000

I’ll add one:

Avoid Taking Sick Days During Your First Half Year (especially Fridays and Mondays)

- OR -

Sick days are not Extra Vacation (i.e. You Don’t Need to take Them All)

!!!

By: Lo

Lo — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:35:12 +0000

These are very informative tips but I agree that the tone is a bit off and with what MoneyMind responded. I don’t believe anyone would knowingly ask his/her parents to contact the employer unless it were an emergency (e.g. got into an accident), but coming from an Asian family, I can’t very well easily to tell my parents to “butt out” just like that. It happens and although it gets annoying, I think people should be more understanding about it.

By: MoneyMind

MoneyMind — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:49:22 +0000

Th whole article was very informative. I’m a student & I learnt a lot from this article.Thanks for the good post.

I agree with all the points except the 6th one. I don’t think any grown up would behave in such a kiddish manner(asking their parents to contact the employer..)

By: guinness416

guinness416 — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:52:31 +0000

Weird tone to this article. I agree with much of it (I manage a number entry-level people and interns), but it’s oddly aggressive. Item number one really is item number one, very important if you want to be taken in any way seriously. As regards item 8, certainly I expect my direct reports to be there for me, but I consider mentorship very important too, as do my bosses.

By: Creative Investor

Creative Investor — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 00:34:49 +0000

I would most certainly agree with everything that Anne has said, although some of the tips seemed to be one of her pet peeves as well and came from personal experience (which is fine, of course). I also liked Jason H.’s suggestion to ask for more work, that is definitely very important. It kind of goes along #5, that you can’t just do the bare minimum and expect recognition, promotion, or even to keep your job. To strive in a workplace you have to not only do more than what is asked from you, but also demonstrate initiative in learning new tasks or taking a lead on a project that nobody knew was important until you started working on it.

In a nutshell, three keywords define successful individuals: Enthusiasm, Initiative, and Hard Work.

By: Jason H

Jason H — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:56:41 +0000

Another tip is to ask for more work. I know that sounds contrary to a lot of graduates (I can’t tell you how many I failed for not doing the required work when I was teaching), but it is a great way to show your employer that you are motivated and a great asset to the company. Of course, that comes with the caviat that you finish your required work first. I can cite examples from my own career where the company was just going to hire someone else, but my asking for more work netted me the job and a big pay raise .

By: Thrifty Penny

Thrifty Penny — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:12:32 +0000

Great advice! I always walked around with a notepad and a pen to scribble everything down. Also, I was naive to think everyone was going to be nice and like me from the get go. I found out the hard way you have to prove yourself before people treat you with respect. Also, avoid hanging out by the water cooler or the cubicles directly in front of the bosses’s office. (Unless, you’re one of the unfortunate few who sit in those cubicles…like me!)

By: saladdin

saladdin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:08:01 +0000

To number 3.

I carry a notepad and pen at all times and write down everything. My boss likes long complicated reports/analysis and often forgets what all he asks for until he sees my work. I have pages of notes from 3 years ago.

saladdin

By: Money Socket

Money Socket — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:43:16 +0000

I completely agree with number 7. I’m graduating from college in two months and I get the notion among my peers that they think life is going to be sweet immediately after college. Supposedly they are brilliant people, which they might be, but that doesn’t necessarily attract a stress free, high paying dream job. I know a person who graduated last year and she said she told another friend, who works as a bank teller, that she would never work at a bank and the only way she would “settle” for a bank job was if she was a branch manager. Half a year went by and now she’s asking if there are any openings at that branch.

Needless to say, I feel too much entitlement mentalities among people my age. No one wants to sweat it out the old fashion way. Everyone wants to spring to the top and I believe this is related to our problem with consumerism and people purchasing things before they can afford it.

Confidence is great, but no one likes a cocky newbie at the workplace. No matter how bright you are and even if you become the next Bill Gates, you better be humble and put in the work. Otherwise what they are saying in the news will be true, that Americans are slipping and employees overseas are becoming harder working, more successful, and more desirable.

By: Presh Talwalkar

Presh Talwalkar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:32:09 +0000

Anna,

I really enjoyed this post. I especially agree with point 1 because imprecise communication wastes lots of time. I once uncovered a modeling error that traced back to an email where the author omitted a crucial comma.

I also agree with many of the other points, but I have a small criticism of point 7. I think it is the employer that is failing at motivating new employees. Yes, young people are arrogant, but I think employers do not communicate how grunt work is more of a “test” to gain trust. When you start your own business, it is very clear why the grunt work has to be done and motivation is not an issue.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:02:27 +0000

number 1 is definitely important. People need to learn how to write (ok, so i didn’t use the shift key), especially if they do not have daily interface with the person who does your evals.