First-Job Survival Guide

1
Your First Three Months
Your first three months on the job are important--and they're not. Confusing? Here's what that means.
It is important to make a good first impression. Make a bad first impression, and you'll find it very hard to overcome.
It is not important to wow everyone with your skills and knowledge at this point. Instead, you should be a sponge for a while and do the best job you can on anything you're given. That part will be easy, because at first you won't have much to do that's very hard. More on that later.
But, you may be asking, aren't first impressions based on superficial things, like appearance and good manners? Aren't they paying me for my brains and my education and my ability to get the job done? Yes, but it's not as simple as that. The reality is that your ability to get along with and gain the respect of your peers and managers is usually more important than anything else--and not just now, but for the rest of your career. Failure to recognize this business fact of life trips up many ambitious, smart young people.
Getting along with others is important because very little of an organization's tasks are accomplished by people working independently. A company's organization chart may show ten or fifteen distinct groups and functions, but it doesn't show how these groups work together and depend on each other. Andwhen people must work together, certain basic human qualities--like trust, respect, courtesy, and helpfulness, or the lack thereof--can make or break even the most promising projects, programs, and careers. Chapter 4, Getting Along with Your Boss and Your Coworkers, explains more about how to deal with and understand the people you work with.
MAKING A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
The Way You Look
Like it or not, you will first be judged on how you look. Even though today's business dress is more relaxed than ever, there are certain lines that shouldn't be crossed. Dress codes, formal or otherwise, vary widely among professions and companies, but you can't go wrong by following the classic advice: Dress like the people who are in the next position you are aspiring to. This doesn't mean you have to take out a loan to buy designer clothes; it simply means that you shouldn't wear T-shirts and sneakers when the successful people around you are wearing business suits and polished shoes.
Tracy, a marketing assistant in a high-tech company, says, "I found that you won't look your best even in expensive clothes if they don't fit right. I'm five feet tall, and clothes off the rack usually need alterations to look right. It's not cheap to have this done, but it's well worth the cost. Not only do you look better, but you send a message that you care about looking like a professional--and this usually results in being treated like one! By the way, if you find yourself wondering whether your outfit is too casual, it probably is."
If you think that someone will tell you if you're dressing inappropriately, you'll probably be wrong. Most managers are extremely uncomfortable commenting on something as personalas appearance and will avoid saying anything unless it's really necessary. For example, if your boss mentions to you that everyone will be wearing a suit for the next day's client presentation, take the hint--he's probably afraid you'll show up in jeans.
But here's the bigger problem. If you insist on displaying your individuality through inappropriate clothes, hair, makeup, or jewelry, you're probably thinking, "It's my right to be who I am." Unfortunately, your manager is thinking, "When's she going to grow up?" The logical next questions are, "She seems so bright, but is she mature enough to handle this important assignment? And how well developed are her judgment skills?"
"I changed my hairstyle a few months after I started my first real job," says Melissa, a computer programmer. "I went from the curly, permed high school look I'd worn for years to a shorter, neater-looking adult style. I think it sent the message that I was ready to be treated like an adult."

The Way You Talk
You don't want to remind your boss of her seventeen-year-old, who's giving her trouble these days, so it's in your best interest not to talk like a teenager. The last thing you need as you start your career is to be treated like someone's child.
When you speak, do you typically end sentences with a question mark? "So I filled out this form? But I didn't know what you wanted me to put here? So I left it blank? Okay?"
Or do you punctuate sentences with "like" or "you know"? "Like, I finished early, so, you know, like, I started on that other job you gave me." Breaking yourself of these habits won't be easy but will be well worth the effort.
Some young people overapologize for mistakes or interruptions. Saying "I'm sorry" too often at the beginning or the end of a sentence will make you seem unsure of yourself. People are uncomfortable with those who appear meek or unconfident,and frequent apologies seem to reinforce those impressions. Save "I'm sorry" for major flubs.
A little harder to repair are any problems with pronunciation or grammar. Some mispronunciations are mental misspellings of common words, such as medium for median or supposably for supposedly. Other problems may be specific to your line of work. Sara, a hardworking sales rep for a high-tech corporation, couldn't figure out why she wasn't getting orders for a new product her company had introduced. It turned out that she had been incorrectly pronouncing certain relevant words and terms when making presentations to her technical customers. Her errors made them question her overall knowledge and competence. They simply didn't believe she knew what she was talking about.
Like Sara, you're probably not aware of these problems, yet they may invisibly hold you back. Is there someone in your company--in Sara's case, the manager in charge of developing the new product--you could practice your pitch with before you embarrass yourself in front of customers?
Jeff, an editorial assistant with a small publisher, says, "Because of my English degree, I'm often tempted to correct people's speech errors, and if I feel close enough to them, I will. Most of the time I don't, though. If you feel you can take the criticism, ask a close friend or colleague to tell you when they notice a grammar or pronunciation mistake you make. You'll benefit in the long run."
Other speech problems can hurt your credibility as well. Do you mumble or speak too quickly or too slowly? Do you have a thick southern accent that amuses your coworkers in Manhattan? Or is your New England accent an oddity in southern California? Regional accents aren't as big a problem as the others we've discussed, but if your career goal is a position high on thecorporate ladder, consider that some executives have hired speech specialists to help them shed heavy accents and undesirable speech habits.
If you speak with an accent, or you are talking with someone who has one (at least to your ears)--say, you're from Atlanta and you're on the phone with someone from Boston--try this: Shortly into your conversation, ask the person if he or she can understand you. By asking, you're giving your listener permission to slow you down or ask you to repeat something without feeling embarrassed. (If you have to repeat yourself, take this as a sure sign the listener's having trouble.) For example, many southerners think that northerners speak too quickly, and many northerners have a hard time dealing with a southern drawl.
The Way You Act
Your attitude is the next thing people will notice about you. During your first three months on the job, it will be the most important aspect of your performance. We'll discuss attitude further in Chapter 2, but for now here are the basic characteristics of a positive attitude:
• You're friendly and open.
• You have a positive outlook.
• You show an interest in learning.
• You are enthusiastic about being there.
• You are willing to listen.
• You are quietly confident about your abilities.
• You show up on time, and you show up every day, unless you are truly ill.
• You are courteous to everyone, regardless of their position in the company.
• You spend most of your day working, not talking to coworkers, wandering the halls, playing games on your computer, chatting with friends on the phone, surfing the Internet, or taking long lunches.
Your boss and your coworkers will no doubt give you a warm and friendly welcome your first couple of days on the job. They'll take extra care to show you around, introduce you to people, and fill you in on the ins and outs of office life. Return their courtesies by showing an interest in what they do and by asking lots of questions.
Don't take it personally when this special treatment ends. Everyone has a job to get done, so don't feel abandoned when you find yourself alone at your desk with little to do. You may have to wait awhile until your boss or the person who is training you can get back to you.
Be very careful how you talk to and treat people in support positions--secretaries, administrative assistants, mailroom clerks, computer technicians, and so on. These people can make your job much easier, and they will be glad to do so if they feel you respect and value what they do. Like anyone else, they are sensitive to being talked down to or ordered around, and you should make your requests for help in the nicest and least condescending way possible. Be aware that your youth and your education may be held against you, and perhaps even resented.
If, for example, you know that you will need two hundred copies made of a seventy-five-page report on Friday, let the copy room supervisor or office manager know about it as soon as you do. Strolling in with demands to complete time-consuming tasks at the last minute will quickly earn you the label of inconsiderate boor. Some day there'll be a crisis job that must be done on short notice, and if you've kept unreasonable demands to a minimum, you'll probably find the staff willing to help you out. You might even offer to pitch in and help if you have time; this will earn you many points.
Learn to estimate how long tasks like photocopying, faxing, word processing, envelope stuffing, and so on take to do. Ask the people who regularly do this work for rules of thumb, such as how many copies per hour or how many pages per day they can realistically produce. Having this information will let youplan your schedule and ensure that the support staff will have the time to help you. Since most employees don't bother to do this, you will stand out as someone who cares, and the support staff will be on your side when you need them most.
Doug, a management intern, says, "Not every office has someone who will make copies or send faxes for you. If I need to make a copy, I do it myself. We have a department secretary, but she has more important things to do. She'd probably be insulted if I asked! When in doubt, do it yourself--especially if they show you how to work the equipment. I think your boss will let you know when you should give work to others to do. Just be sure to never take advantage of other people, no matter what position they're in."
Here's something to watch out for in your first few weeks: Beware of the overly friendly coworker who takes you aside and fills you in on all the office gossip and current gripes with management. It seems every office has one employee like that. You will be viewed as fresh meat and a potential ally to someone who could be the office troublemaker. If you believe everything you hear, it might negatively affect your attitude. If you continue to hang out with this person, your image may suffer as well.

UNDERSTANDING THE CORPORATE CULTURE
Corporate culture is a term used to describe the usually unspoken beliefs and attitudes of a company. Some companies, for example, run things by the book, with rules and procedures for everything, even attire (a well-known computer services company once had a written rule that its male employees were not to wear tasseled loafers or green ties, among other things). Most companies are more laid-back and may not even put rules in writing.In that case, you'll have to be observant and ask questions--because there is always a code of appearance and behavior, written or not.
The corporate culture comes from the top officers and managers of the company. It reflects their views on management (authoritarian or democratic?), customer service (do customers come first?), the value of their employees (do they reward performance or longevity?), and money (are budgets adhered to down to the penny, or can managers get funds as they need them?). You probably sensed some of this at your hiring interview, but it may take months to get a clear picture of a company's beliefs and operating principles. You may even find that your company's stated beliefs don't match real-life operations. In the long run, your comfort level will depend on how well your personal beliefs and values match the company's.
LEARNING THE RULES, WRITTEN AND UNWRITTEN
You've read and understood the written rules in your company's employee manual (or in the handouts that your manager or the Human Resources person gave you). Now you should start to figure out three things: which written rules are strictly followed, which are not, and what the unwritten rules are. Not knowing this information could get you nailed later on, and you'll never think you were doing something wrong.
The best way to find out how serious management is about written rules is to ask your coworkers. Is having an occasional beer or glass of wine at lunch really grounds for dismissal, or is the company's rule against drinking simply meant to discourage frequent liquid lunches? Will you need a doctor's note if you're out with the flu for more than three days, or will your hacking cough be enough to convince your boss that you are really sick? Needless to say, it's best to find the answers to questions like these beforehand, not by direct experience.
Some unwritten rules are a matter of personal and businessethics. These include personal business conducted on company time, personal use of company supplies and equipment, office romances, and other matters involving personal judgment and ethics. We'll talk more about ethics in Chapter 5.
Taking Time Off
Attitudes toward aspects of your personal life, such as taking time off for doctors' appointments, family events, or personal errands, can vary widely from company to company. Some employers are quite liberal and don't mind so long as you make up the time, while others require that you charge every quarter hour against leave time. Sometimes these decisions are left up to your manager. You'll eventually find out where your company stands, but during your first three months try to keep requests for time off to a minimum. If you have to get your car inspected or see your dentist, make every attempt to do so outside normal business hours. This advice applies even if you see others taking off during the day to run personal errands. The difference is that you are new and are trying to establish the impression that you are devoted to your job.
Vacation time is usually earned from the day you start work, but many companies will not let you take it until you've been on the job for six months or a year. If you have plans that you know will require time off during your first year, let your boss know as soon as possible. The best time to mention it is when you are offered the job. Most managers understand and will try to accommodate you, but they'd rather not be surprised later, when they might have to explain the need for an exception to someone in Human Resources. Again, a lot will depend on the corporate culture where you work.
If you must take days off during your first three months, try to make sure they're not Mondays. Many managers have come to equate frequent Monday absences with weekend hangover problems, and you don't want to be wrongly labeled if your first few days off happen to be Mondays.
Tardiness is also a no-no, but companies vary in their latitude. To some, it's being three minutes late, while to others it's thirty. Play it safe your first three months and arrive early.
Stephanie recalls a problem with a new employee in her office: "She used to come in at least fifteen minutes late every day. To her way of thinking, this was okay as long as she stayed fifteen minutes later, but she never ran this by her boss. He was a real stickler about being on time. Once he realized what was happening, he talked to her about it. The moral is, get there when they tell you to, not three minutes later. Being on time or even arriving a little early counts for a lot in performance reviews, too."

Office Etiquette
The rules for office etiquette are rarely put in writing, yet they are much more important than they sound. Etiquette is defined in the dictionary as "practices and forms prescribed by social convention or by authority." It's a good idea to find out what is considered good etiquette in your company; ignorance will not be viewed as an excuse. Overall, you can't go wrong if you consistently treat others the way you'd like to be treated.
You'll want to learn right away who you can call by first name and who prefers to be addressed by Mr., Ms., or Mrs. You'll find that the use of courtesy titles is not necessarily a function of age or position in the company, although those are good starting places when you're not sure. Listen carefully for hints when you're introduced to someone; you'll do even better to note how your coworkers and your boss address people. Of course, the most direct way is to simply ask the person how he or she would like to be addressed.
It's almost always best to address clients or customers by Mr. or Ms. until you are asked to do otherwise. The exception might be someone who is close to your own age.
Lynn recalls, "There was this wonderful woman in my company. I swear she got along with every person--there were about two hundred of us--in that building. She didn't have a mean bone in her body. Of course, it's impossible to get along with everyone. She had to be acting with some people, but you'd never be able to tell. I often think of her and wish I could be more like that. The message here is, always try to get along."
Be sure to show your boss and coworkers consideration and respect. Stop what you're doing when someone enters your office or work area and give that person your full attention. If your phone rings while you're speaking with someone in your work area, you can either answer it and quickly explain you're in a meeting and will call back soon, or let it go to your voice mail. Your choice will depend on your company's emphasis on answering every phone call personally, as well as on the importance of the meeting you are having. You may also be expected to answer your neighbors' phones if they are away from their desks; find out for sure before you let their calls go to a secretary or voice mail.
Office etiquette also covers little things like making a fresh pot of coffee if you've just poured yourself the last cup; contributing promptly to the coffee fund; helping to keep the kitchen area clean (and remembering to toss out your slightly furry sandwich from the refrigerator); not reading a coworker's mail; not borrowing desk items without asking first; and avoiding a host of other actions that would drive you nuts if they happened to you.


Phone Etiquette. Find out how your company wants you to answer the phone. If you're the first person the caller talks to, you'll probably want to answer with something like, "Good morning, XYZ Company. Roger speaking." If the call goesthrough a receptionist or secretary first, a simpler "Roger Jones" or "This is Roger Jones" is usually sufficient.
Learn the complexities of your phone system--like how to forward calls and how to transfer the caller to a voice mail box--in those first few days on the job when you may be looking for things to do. Ask the secretary or receptionist for a lesson or two during his or her slow periods, and take good notes.
If you are asked to answer phones, either occasionally or as part of your job, do so without complaint. Try to help the callers as much as you can--they're usually customers, so how you treat them is especially important. Always ask, "May I tell him who is calling?" and take care to pronounce the name right. Also be meticulous when taking messages. No one will mind (they'll actually be impressed) if you take the time to get the name spelled right and the phone number verified.
Never respond to a question with "I don't know." Instead, tell the caller you'll try to find an answer or the right person for her to talk to. Then make sure you get back to the caller as soon as possible with the answer. Whatever you do, don't transfer the call to someone you think might know the answer. Once you're given a question or a problem to solve, make it yours until it's answered or resolved. Passing the buck will only earn you a bad reputation. If finding the answer will take more than a minute or so, say so and offer to call the person back. Always ask first before putting the caller on hold for more than a minute.
If the caller makes an unusual request of you or your company, don't automatically say, "No, we don't do that." Instead, say, "I'm not sure--let me find out and get back to you." Even if the answer is still no, the customer will feel that you tried.


Voice Mail Etiquette. Voice mail is commonplace these days, and although it has its benefits, many people feel it can be a barrier to getting things done. Some people seem never to answer their phones directly, preferring to let all calls go to voice mail. You'll hear the term telephone tag used to describe the problemof never being able to reach the person you need to talk to, a problem that can delay projects and tasks for days on end. If you must leave a message, give as much information about your question or problem as you can, so that the person you're calling can leave you a voice mail message that provides the answer.
People who are genuinely busy find voice mail to be a valuable tool. But in your first year on the job, you should try to answer your phone whenever possible. Your boss and coworkers may feel that your entry-level position does not justify extensive use of this technology just yet, and they may think you're using voice mail to avoid picking up the phone.
You should also get in the habit of returning all your calls, and returning them promptly--the same day if possible. If people have to call a second or third time to get what they need from you, they will quickly label you as unreliable and unhelpful. You'll be surprised how fast this opinion will get back to your boss.
Here are a few other tips for using voice mail effectively:


* Don't eat or drink while leaving a message--it sounds terrible to the person on the other end of the line.
* Before you pick up the phone, prepare in your mind what you'll say if you have to leave a message. Don't be fumbling around looking for notes, numbers, and other vital information while you're recording your message.
* Identify yourself completely and mention the time and day you called--don't just say, "This is John." Even if your first name is not that common, it's more professional to say, "This is John Jones from XYZ Corporation returning your call. It's nine o'clock Thursday morning." Many voice mail systems allow users to check the time of the message, but it's helpful to get in the habit of stating the time you called. You may also want to mention a good time to reach you at your desk.
* Try not to leave excessively long messages--one minute should be the maximum. Get to the point quickly, without a lot of rambling.
* Always speak slowly when you leave your return phone number. Most people whiz through it--after all, they know it well, but all the listener hears is a blur of numbers.

LEARNING TO DO YOUR JOB
Don't be surprised if you feel a bit overwhelmed by your job at first. Everyone does, whether it's the first job or the fifth. Remember, in your first few weeks your boss realizes that you need some training and guidance, so your primary goal during that time is to try to absorb and learn, not to produce recordbreaking results.
Learning at work is quite different from learning at school. You won't have textbooks to study and refer to, and you won't be listening to lectures. At work, much of what you learn will be up to you and your ability to listen well, ask questions, take notes, and observe others. The more you take the initiative in this process, the better off you will be.
Your boss or a coworker will probably sit down with you during those first few days and explain the details of how to perform the various parts of your job. Take plenty of notes so you'll have something to refer to, and don't be afraid to ask questions about anything you don't understand.
If it seems as if people are constantly at your side, telling you what to do during these first few days and weeks, don't think that they don't trust you. Your "coaches" will be back to their own jobs soon enough, and there'll be times when you wish they were around to help you out. If you show that you appreciate their help now, you can count on it later when you need them again.
Rick, a computer technician, recalls, "I was teaching a new guy how to carry out a lengthy operation, and I noticed he wasn't taking notes. I told him it would be a good idea to do so, but he brushed me off. I knew he'd be coming back later to ask me to repeat things. Always take notes when you're learning something new, and refer to them before going back to the person with questions. You'll learn a lot faster that way."
During these first few weeks, you'll probably feel like a prisoner, even if you had full-time summer jobs while you were in school. The difference is that you knew those jobs were temporary and would end in two or three months. But this job, especially around four o'clock in the afternoon, seems to stretch endlessly into the future. Get out of the office for lunch whenever you can; you'll be surprised how it will break up the day and refresh you for the afternoon ahead. In a few months, when you're a working part of the team and have lots to do, the day will fly by. For now, just work on getting through it.
Get Technically Competent
You may be expected to learn new computer software. If so, do whatever it takes to get up to speed, even if it means spending your own time to work through a printed or on-line tutorial. Some companies will send new employees to training classes, but don't count on it. Learning new programs is simply a business fact of life these days, and companies usually expect the employee to take the initiative.
Learn to operate office equipment as well. In today's businesses, even high-level managers often make their own copies and send their own faxes. Get a lesson on the functions and capabilities of the photocopier. Learn how to fix paper jams and other minor problems so you don't find yourself alone with a balky copier late one night, trying to get copies made for an early-morning meeting. If you run into a problem you can't fix, don't simply abandon the machine without alerting the person who is responsible for its repair. (If you're really conscientious, you'll also post a note on the machine saying it's out of order and that the problem has been reported.)
Learn More About the Company
Make the most of any extra time you may have in these early days. Read your company's policies and procedures manual (if it has one) very carefully and start a list of questions about anything you don't understand. Be especially sure you understand benefits such as health insurance, leave policy, the 401 (k) plan, holidays, overtime and compensatory time policies, and so on. It's your personal responsibility to know these things, and you may discover that your company won't be very understanding if you forget to sign up for insurance in time or misread the policy on personal time off.
During your first few days, go through any files, reports, manuals, or books that were left behind by your predecessor. Everything will be foreign to you at this point, so don't be too concerned if it all seems a bit overwhelming. At least you can start to get an idea of what you'll be doing, and names and terms won't sound quite so strange when your boss mentions them later.
Ask the secretary or administrative assistant for reading materials that might help you learn more about the company or your job. You might ask for the user's manuals for your phone system and computer software, for example, or back issues of the company newsletter.
If you didn't research your company's history and products or services before you took the job, now is the time to do so. On your own time, go to the public library (or your corporate library if there is one) to get a better idea of the larger world you are now a part of. If nothing else, you will see better how you fit into the big picture, and you will also be able to ask more intelligent questions. If your library search doesn't produce much, ask questions at work. Most people will be impressed that you want to know.
While you're learning about the company, ask to see a copy of an organization chart. Find out what other people do and what their titles really mean. This will help you put your work andyour department in perspective. For example, it's a longstanding joke in most companies that a title like "Manager, Special Projects" sounds impressive but really means "we like the guy and he used to be valuable, but for various reasons we needed to move him out of the way." Nowadays, it's just as likely that the company has offered such a person an attractive severance or retirement package, but jobs like this are still around.
Also try to learn more about the person your boss reports to and what that person is like. Keep in mind that when your boss comes to you with a request or complaint, he may be responding to a request or complaint his own boss made. Over time, you'll learn more about this person, her importance in the company, and her priorities and values; for now, ask a few questions and keep your eyes and ears open.
The first few months are the best time to get organized and learn how to manage your time and your workload. Chapter 6, Getting the Job Done, describes techniques and approaches that will help you work efficiently and meet deadlines.
Know What's Expected of You
Probably the most important thing you can learn in these first few weeks is to find out exactly what is expected of you. This may be harder than it sounds. For example, say that part of your job involves taking orders from customers. You figure that as long as you get complete and accurate information, you've done a good job. But your boss may be expecting that you will try to soft-sell the customer on other company products or services as well, and that you will be chatty and friendly with the customer, not cool and detached.
For example, one of Lisa's customers, who was accustomed to superfriendly treatment from other employees, complained to Lisa's boss that she was cold and unhelpful. Lisa's boss was not happy and told Lisa so. The sad part was that Lisa truly thought she was doing a good job. Her mistake was not knowing what her boss really expected of her. In this case, Lisa might have preventedthe problem by asking her boss to listen in on a customer phone conversation or go with her on her first visit to a customer. Ideally, your boss would suggest this approach, but many managers take things for granted. You may have to look out for yourself when it comes to learning more about your boss's unspoken expectations.
Another good way to learn what's important to your boss is to ask questions about the person who had your job before you. If the person was fired or transferred, try to determine why (you may need to ask your coworkers some discreet questions). For example, if your predecessor was a pushover when customers made unreasonable demands, and his actions cost the company money, you'll know that you'd better be able to stand firm when necessary. It's a safe bet that your boss will be watching for the same weakness in you.
In summary, to learn what is expected of you, do two basic things: Ask lots of questions and observe the behavior and the successes and failures of your coworkers. And don't assume anything. If you're not sure, ask.
Sweat the Small Stuff
The next challenge is to pay attention to the details of your job. You may have seen the T-shirt that reads, "Don't sweat the small stuff" on the front; the back reads, "It's all small stuff." Remember the second sentence. Even if you wow customers and management with superb customer service skills, you'll still be in trouble if your orders have errors in them or don't get processed on time.
Make sure you understand priorities as well. For example, one of Sean's jobs was to prepare a monthly inventory report, due no later than the fifth of the following month. Sean assumed, correctly so, that the report was used by management to monitor sales and determine when to reorder. In this department, dollar sales were cited in another report and reordering of these products occurred quarterly. It seemed to Sean that if things were busy, he could put off doing the report. As a result, every fewmonths or so he turned in the report a week or more late, and then only after his boss had reminded him to get it done.
What Sean failed to realize was that the accounting department needed this report to complete each month's corporate financial statements. If he had asked questions to get a better picture of the report's importance--or simply delivered the report on time, as he had been instructed to do--he wouldn't have made this mistake. Unfortunately, his lack of concern led to a negative statement on his yearly performance appraisal.
At this point, you're probably asking, "Well, what really counts? Is it getting the details right, figuring out what my boss really wants, or having a positive attitude and taking a lot of initiative?" The answer is, it all really counts. But if you can't conquer the small stuff, nothing else will matter.
Bill, a junior accountant in a large consulting firm, notes, "I find that when you overlook the details, that's the one time your boss asks for them. Then you feel like you weren't completely prepared. Overlooking the details seems to be a big negative among bosses."

Take Grunt Work Seriously
Like it or not, you'll have plenty of opportunity to prove you can do the small stuff. You'll be given plenty of it, since you're the new kid on the block (excuse the expression, but that is indeed how you will be viewed, even if you graduated summa cum laude from a very good school). In your first few months, in fact, you most likely will be asking yourself why you went to college (be sure to say this to yourself, not out loud). In fact, at this point you figure you could have done this job after graduating from middle school.
Here's how to cope with getting stuck with the grunt work: Take it in stride, take it as a challenge, and take it as a test.
The way you go about completing grunt work will tell yourboss and your coworkers a lot about you. Are you a complainer? Do you procrastinate? Do you think you are better than they are because of your strong academic credentials or social standing? Do you care about getting even the little things done right, regardless of their seeming unimportance to the overall operation? Think about it.
If you take the grunt work in stride, and also do it extremely well, you'll make a positive first impression. You'll come across as someone who is willing to start at the bottom (as almost everyone did at one time), someone who is a team player, and someone who cares about the details. None of this will hurt you as you move up in the company. Once you've proven yourself on these seemingly unimportant tasks, your boss will be much more likely to give you more challenging assignments. But first she needs to see your basic strengths and weaknesses.
If you really want to make a good impression, volunteer to do grunt work.
Own Up to Your Mistakes
Accept the fact that no matter how hard you try, you will make mistakes in your first few months on the job. In fact, you will make mistakes throughout your entire career--everyone does. You've probably heard this advice before, but remember that it's the way you handle your mistakes that counts.
First, admit to any mistakes you make, even the smallest ones. If you try to cover them up, downplay them, make excuses, or blame someone else, you'll come across as immature and unprofessional and perhaps a little dishonest. The best thing to do is admit the mistake, apologize if necessary, and get to work to repair the damage.
Some people are so afraid of making mistakes that they take forever to finish a job (and miss important deadlines) and take few or no risks. In these early weeks, you won't be doing too much risk taking, but you will be developing an approach to mistakes that will help you cope with errors in timing or judgmentdown the road. Accept the fact that no one is perfect and understand that your worth as an employee and a human being is not at stake over a miscalculation or a missed opportunity. Mistakes always have a positive side: They usually teach us something, whether it's learning to double-check our math or seeing the need for better sales skills. The proverb that says we learn more from our failures than we do from our successes states a basic fact of life, both business and personal.
Paige confesses. "If I make a mistake that was due to carelessness, I say to myself, I'll never let that happen again.' Then I hold myself to that promise. Just stating the problem seems to help keep me from repeating it."

Keep a Low Profile
As mentioned earlier, don't spend the first few months on your first job--or on any other job you'll ever have, for that matter--trying to act like you know it all. On the contrary, try to lie low and absorb all you can for a while. Unless you see something simple and fairly obvious that needs fixing, don't make suggestions on how to improve things until you completely understand the operation yourself--which could take months. Until you can say for sure otherwise, assume that there is a good reason things are done the way they are--for now, anyway.

THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Some companies will tell you that your first three months on the job are probationary and that your performance will be evaluated at the end of that period. Others will not have a formal probationary period, but you can be sure that your work and actions will be watched closely during that time. In these crucial early weeks, you should be aware of a few things.
First, your boss really wants you to do well because your performance will reflect on him as a manager. He selected you as the best from among many qualified candidates, and it's important to him personally and to his corporate reputation to have made a good choice. You can also be sure that he would rather not go through the hiring process again anytime soon. In short, you will really have to disappoint him to get fired at this point.
However, if he or others see problems with your work or your behavior that they think do not bode well for the future, they may decide to cut their losses early on. Whether they take action this soon depends on the company's culture and personnel policies. This is why making a good impression during those first few weeks is so important.
If you're lucky, your boss will give you a formal evaluation at the end of the probationary period. You may not like the idea of hearing about any shortcomings so early in the game, but it will be much easier to fix problems now rather than risk compounding them as your time on the job increases (and when your boss and coworkers won't be quite as forgiving as they were when you were new).
Most managers dread giving negative feedback, however, and you may have to find the courage to simply ask, "How do you think I am doing? Is there anything you'd like me to do differently?" If your boss comes back with a vague or general comment or two, ask her for examples--and make sure you understand the problem. Try to listen to these comments without being defensive or hurt. And whatever you do, don't argue, criticize, or complain; simply listen and then think for a day or two about what she said. If things are truly not as your boss sees them, discuss it with her later, when you can do so in an unemotional way.
To put criticism in perspective, try to remember that everything you're doing is a learning experience at this point, and your goal is to conquer the basics of your job so you can prepare to move up.
If you rarely receive positive feedback, don't get depressed.Your boss is probably the type who takes good work for granted and saves praise for work that goes above and beyond your job description. Most managers take this approach, usually unintentionally. In fact, it's usually safe to assume that you are doing a good job unless you hear otherwise. This is just another way that work is different from school--don't expect comments on everything you turn in. But be assured that if you are doing a good job, it's being noticed and appreciated.
SUMMARY
The way you come across in your first few weeks on the job will stay in people's minds for a long time. You'll do fine if you keep these thoughts in mind:


* You may have learned a lot in school and be eager to apply it right away, but hold off. You'll learn more about business and your chosen field in the next six months than you learned about it in four years of college. Keep an open mind and keep learning.
* Be aware of how you look, act, and speak. This is not the time to make a fashion statement or act as if you're still a student who doesn't want to face the real world. You will be treated as an equal if you present yourself as an adult.
* Ask questions freely and listen carefully to the answers. In general, listen more than talk.
* Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and don't be afraid to ask for feedback. The more you can learn now, the easier your job will be later.
* Don't take criticism--or the lack of praise--personally. View your first job as a postgraduate learning experience, not as a judgment on your value as a human being.
* Watch your attitude. It will show, even when you think you are keeping your thoughts to yourself. The next chapter explains why attitude is so important to your success.

Copyright © 1997 by Andrea J. Sutcliffe