What advice would you give to person who is just entering the workforce?

[Mel Kleiman]

If you had a friend who was just entering the workforce, what advice would you give her/him about how to be successful?

[Terry Moore]

First be honest - let your supervisor and coworkers see that you can be trusted, have integrity.
Be dependable - Report to work when scheduled. If reports are due on a certain day, have them ready to turn in early on due date.
Open Ears and Eyes - Ask questions when in doubt. Do not go around as a-know-it-all, learn from your supervisor, coworkers.

[PATTY]

I would recommend that once hired, my friend be very clear as to what the responsibilities are and exactly what is expected. Then go above and beyond that. Always be on the lookout for better ways to do something, add a little extra to make someone else's job easier (especially your boss'), and to especially have a great attitude, a can do attitude, every single day. Take pride in your work no matter how menial the task because once you prove that you care about the little jobs you've earned the confidence that you can tackle the big ones. These are qualities an H.R. manager cannot train someone to have but you always hope that you've hired someone with those qualities because they have the potential to add to your already great workforce! This is the kind of person you want to keep around and if they leave, you only have great things to say about them, ensuring a great future for the employee.

[Wayne Ferch]

I always advise new employees to ask their supervisor what the supervisor considers to be success at this particular job and then to always seek clarification of that question if it ever becomes unclear.

My second advice is to ask lots of questions and generally learn everything you can.

Third, be cheerful , upbeat and positive with coworkers , bosses, customers. All good employers love having people who are easy to get along with.

[Mary Wheeler]

First if you are looking at a high school / college entry level position be very clear about the hours that you can work. Once you have an interview set up practice basic interviewing with a friend asking questions. Rely on experiences you have had such as responsibility through baby sitting; fund raising for a club; and any other activities that relate to working in the "real" world. Once you have the job be dependable, helpful, and enthusiasm goes along way toward success. Never burn bridges just in case you need to go back across!

[Kim Dionne]

When interviewing, be YOURSELF! There are alot of resources out there to give you answers to some tough questions, but as a recruiter for my Agency i see so many people try to hard and it's noticeable that it's just not natural. So be yourself and answer honestly. If you give all the answers that you thing the recruiter wants to hear, you may be setting yourself up for a job that your not a good match for. MOst importantly... in your job search make sure you research the company and what their mission and values are!

[Ken Jackson]

You may find this a little old fashioned, but I believe it will serve you well. Good Luck!

Image: Dress appropriately / well. For interviews wear a jacket and tie or skirt and jacket. Once you join a team, dress at least one level above yours. Example: If your boss wears a tie, you should to. Good personal hygiene is always appropriate, and please get rid of the facial piercings, tongue rings, etc... They may be in vogue in some circles, but many retailers / customers find them offensive or not in line with the image they wish to present to their clientele.

Attitude: "Can't Never Could" - Someone once told me "Attitude is Everything". It may not be everything but it is a huge part of being successful in both your personal and professional life. Be upbeat and positive, say hello, have a bounce in your step, when you get knocked down - brush yourself off and come back better than ever. Learn from your mistakes (we all make them).

Integrity: Trust is eaned not given freely. Have integrity in everything you do and say. Give an honest days work for an honest days pay and be truthfull in answering questions, no matter what the circumstances are. Most employers will respect you more and put more trust in you if they know they can count on your integrity. Remember, a lot of times we already know the answer to the question, if you tell me, you know what, I made a mistake, I will have the trust in you and energy to help you in anyway I can. If you blame someone else or are not forthcoming, all bets are off.


Communication: Ask questions, understand the expectations, take the time to "Listen". Always be polite and respectful, but do not be afraid to give input, ideas, or question how things are done if you have a better way. Always try to provide solutions to opportunities that you or the company may have. If they don't work, we know you are thinking and have our best interests at heart, if they work, you are a hero. Either way you get noticed. Last but not least; pick up the phone or go talk with people face to face, do not rely on email for everything.

Committment: Showing up is half the battle. Be on time for work and meetings, meet deadlines, and always give your best effort. When doing things or making decisions at any level, always ask "is this in the best interest of the company"? Do not whine or complain - always have a "Git R' Done attitude.

[Mel Kleiman]

Great post thanks for the input

Ken Jackson said:

You may find this a little old fashioned, but I believe it will serve you well. Good Luck!

Image: Dress appropriately / well. For interviews wear a jacket and tie or skirt and jacket. Once you join a team, dress at least one level above yours. Example: If your boss wears a tie, you should to. Good personal hygiene is always appropriate, and please get rid of the facial piercings, tongue rings, etc... They may be in vogue in some circles, but many retailers / customers find them offensive or not in line with the image they wish to present to their clientele.

Attitude: "Can't Never Could" - Someone once told me "Attitude is Everything". It may not be everything but it is a huge part of being successful in both your personal and professional life. Be upbeat and positive, say hello, have a bounce in your step, when you get knocked down - brush yourself off and come back better than ever. Learn from your mistakes (we all make them).

Integrity: Trust is eaned not given freely. Have integrity in everything you do and say. Give an honest days work for an honest days pay and be truthfull in answering questions, no matter what the circumstances are. Most employers will respect you more and put more trust in you if they know they can count on your integrity. Remember, a lot of times we already know the answer to the question, if you tell me, you know what, I made a mistake, I will have the trust in you and energy to help you in anyway I can. If you blame someone else or are not forthcoming, all bets are off.


Communication: Ask questions, understand the expectations, take the time to "Listen". Always be polite and respectful, but do not be afraid to give input, ideas, or question how things are done if you have a better way. Always try to provide solutions to opportunities that you or the company may have. If they don't work, we know you are thinking and have our best interests at heart, if they work, you are a hero. Either way you get noticed. Last but not least; pick up the phone or go talk with people face to face, do not rely on email for everything.

Committment: Showing up is half the battle. Be on time for work and meetings, meet deadlines, and always give your best effort. When doing things or making decisions at any level, always ask "is this in the best interest of the company"? Do not whine or complain - always have a "Git R' Done attitude.

[Zuni Corkerton]

I often interview folks fresh out of college, and after going through the process I feel the need to write an article--or a book. So here are a few of my tips:

1) When you respond to an ad, follow the employer's directions TO THE LETTER. If the ad says they want a cover letter, include a cover letter. If it asks for salary expectations, include that. If you can't follow the directions in the ad, the employer will assume you can't or won't follow directions. Your reply will go to the circular file (as in deleted/thrown away).

2) Assume that you're going to receive a call from an employer. Therefore, change your voicemail message so it sounds professional and puts you in a favorable light. No employer wants to hear music, or "Hey, it's so and so......" in a sing-song, 12-year-old voice, or a party voice. They want to hire a professional. Remember, your're making an impression every step of the way to a new job.

3) If you're lucky enough to be called for an interview, be aware that the phone call is a SCREENING interview--they're checking you out--your speech, your grammar, your professionalism, and your thought process. A sure-fire way to not get an inviation to an in-person interview is not having any questions for the interviewer, or lots of "you know's" and "I mean's." And when they ask why you're interested in the position, be prepared to tell them something more impressive than that it's close to home. Filling a job is about meeting the needs of the employer, not your convenience.

4) Prepare for the interview. There is no excuse for not having looked at the company's website and being prepared with thoughful questions about the company's services, market segments they serve, the challenges they are facing, and how you could be of value to them (not the other way around).

5) Choose your references carefully--not your best freind who can't speak in business terms and who hasn't worked with you. And be sure to provide the correct contact information for your references.

[JoAnna Brandi]

Be optimistic! Make it a point to think about the things you appreciate in your your life. Have a good understanding of what your strengths are (if you don't know - then ask others who know you to tell you) and think of creative ways to build on them. Understand the unique contribution you can make to the workplace and then make it your intention to bring it every day.

Learn to get up in the morning and choose to go to work. Use the words "I get to go to work" as opposed to "I have to go to work." Working is a priviledge. Be proud of what you can do.

Always ask "How can I help?"

Put a smile on your face before you walk in the door, and remember it's up to you whether or not it stays there

Shine the light on what is right and look for the good everywhere.

[Ken Kuznia]

Create value by looking for and acting upon opportunities to do things outside the scope of your responsibilities. Think of the things you do outside of what's asked of you as an investment in your own future; you literally become more valuable. People with this attitude of service are the first ones to get promoted and the last ones to be laid off.

[Doreen Belliveau]

Realize that this is the first of potentially many stepping stones in your career. This could be the most memorable job you will ever have, especially since many of the experiences and relationships from this job will be formational. Endeavor to learn as much as possible. Realize that you will transfer many skills derived from your first job, to your subsequent work placements. Awareness is key. Be honest with yourself in your new working role in order to identify situations or conditions you did not expect or agree to, (keeping a mindset of some degree of flexibility.) And lastly, just go for it. Carpe diem!

[Mel Kleiman]

Doreen the point you made that really hit home to me is no matter what your first job is like or was like it is going to or could have a major impact on the way you look at work.

This means that a person who a new workers first manager/boss has a real need to make sure they
1. Hire the right person
2. Help them to be successful
3. Make a job more than just a job.

Thanks for the comments.