That’s smart.

One idea I haven’t seen so far is looking after your health and having some sort of a B plan if something goes wrong with it.

Also ‘forgiving’ yourself if you have bad health news.

I don’t think any of the great ideas I read mentioned health, yet it’s an underpinning of most things we do.

Zuojia

A good way to make sure people in the room will know you is to network, get to know your co-workers and organize happy hours, sign up a group for 5k runs, whatever. I know I’m more likely to recommend someone who’s good at their job and I can go out and have a beer with after work than someone who all I know about them is that they’re good at their job.

That being said, the dumbest thing you can do is show your dislike for anyone (aka burn bridges) no matter what their personality is like. They may be the person who decides on the hiring at your next job or who speaks up when the boss comes around holding your resume.

My dad always said “dream to be the best, this will get you where you want to go.” I decided to add “then strive to better it.” As long as you can better yourself, life will fall into place

As far as things you can do to make sure you continue to progress upward in your career, I would say balance building your networking with getting things done. Some people network really well, but are useless in a project. Others are great team members but are socially inept. When it’s time to talk, talk. When it’s time to work, shut your mouth and get things done.

1. Do an internship. It will give you a leg up on the other college kids you are graduating with who are busy right now sleeping off their hangovers. Remember, colleges graduate 2-3 classes a year. Now multiply that by the number of your local schools. That’s the other kids who are after your job.

2. Personality matters. It’s not fair, I know. But the person who has average skillz but a great personality has an edge over a guy who has slightly better skillz but hides at his cube all day. You will learn that people with less abilities then yours will pass you by. That’s life.

3. 99.999% of us are average. No matter what your mom says, you are probably not an Einstein or that good-looking. World is full of average people. Do other things to stand out.

4.There are thousands and thousands of kids who graduate with GPA’s higher then yours. The worth of your GPA ends at graduation for most of us. I work for a large company and never once has anyone asked what my GPA was or what school I attended.

saladdin

Come in first, leave last.

Why 22 year olds out of college don’t do this everyday is beyond me. There is SO MUCH TO LEARN. They are making $100,000 right out of undergrad, and to not get in first and leave last is a sin.

$100,000 at 22-23 years old is only the beginning. The figures get much greater if they can last.

Work harder folks.

***A number of times, they will actually pick up the bill at the end of the meal. If they don’t, it was worth the connection for you to pay $5-20 for their meal. I did this during the past few months and only paid for a couple meals out of many

***Also, never pressure them about your need for a job. When in doubt, simply ask “What were you like at my stage?” or “If you were in my shoes, what would you do?” The former will result in a smirk followed by them opening up, while the latter will often end up with useful advice you need to write down

…just my two cents from a few months of interviews