Being new to the workforce can be an intensive experience. However, there are strategies that can help you rise above the bar, and excel in any industry. Hard word really does pay off.

1. Whether fresh out of college or if you have years of experience, the same unspoken rules
and etiquette apply when starting a new job. Be sure to follow the right path and avoid the
obvious missteps so you can flourish in your new role.
Sources:
National Association of Colleges and Employers | Economic Policy Institute
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Adecco | Careerealism.com | Monster.com | Forbes
STARTING OFF
Starting off on the right foot is important at any job, in any industry. This
is especially true for new college graduates. One or two missteps in the
early days at a new company can end up shaping how you’re perceived
by your peers, so it’s important to start smoothly.
THE PLAYING FIELD
WHAT NOT TO DO
Getting a first “real” job post-graduation is hard enough. Once you do, it’s important to start off on the right foot.
Here are 10 surefire tips to making sure that you do:
According to new data from the NACE, Economic Policy Institute, and the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, times are only going to get tougher for new college grads:
2012’s college grad
unemployment
rate was 6.3%
2013 college grads will earn
less over the next 10-15 years
than pre-recession
In 2013, businesses hired 2.1% more college graduates than in
2012, however it is a steep drop from 13.1% from 2011–2012.
Right Foot
58%
New survey data by recruitment firm Adecco found that:
66% of hiring
managers believe
new college
graduates
are widely
unprepared 69% that actually are hiring said they
plan to bring on only 1–2 candidates
58% were not planning
to hire ANY entry level
graduates this year
on the
Here we share some tips for what to do
and what not to do when starting a new job.
3. Set Goals And Track Progress
5. Get Involved
Push to be
involved in
company initiatives,
and participate in
any social activities.
Care about what your
company cares about.
6. Ask
Questions
Don’t be afraid
to ask for
clarification on
anything that
may yet be
foreign to you.
In Your New Job
WILL
WORK FOR
ENTRY-LEVEL
PAY
6.3% 2011
2012 2013
+13.1% +2.1%
69%
HIRED
66%
1. Make Connections
Get regular
feedback from
people you
trust to provide
you candid
feedback on
general and
specific areas
you can
improve.
2. Ask for Feedback
Build strong relationships that you
foster over time. Grab a coffee
or beer to connect and bond
with colleagues. They will be
more invested in your progress.
Tracking progress is critical, especially in
your first 90 days. Set goals with your boss and
keep him/her in the loop on your progress.
Always be in tune, and don't be afraid
to voice your opinion. If your company
doesn't have an enterprise social
network (ESN), ask to start one as they
are useful in having your voice heard
4. Speak up
7. Introduce Yourself In Your Company’s
Enterprise Social Network
HELLO
MY NAME IS
Be visible in your company’s ESN.
Ask questions and provide answers.
It will give you the opportunity to
add value to the conversation and
make new connections.
8. Be innovative
Offer ideas
for how to
enhance
a product,
or how to improve a process you
use in your job, just make sure
you do it at the right time.
10. Learn The Industry9. Volunteer For High
Profile Projects
Be there to contribute,
or to volunteer for a
project when nobody
else raises their hand.
The bigger, the better.
Do your research on
your company and the
competitors in your
industry. Knowledge
goes a long way.
TEN TIPS FOR STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
Tardiness and
inappropriate dress
are obvious no-nos.
Job sites, Monster and
Careerealism, have
some advice on a few
not-so-obvious negative
behaviors that you
should avoid:
43 percent of
managers hold
spelling in
high regard.
54 percent of managers failed
to hire anyone in the last two
years due to weak resumes,
regardless of initial interview
success.
Skimp on Your Resume:Be Careless:
54%
43%
Avoid Your
Boss
If you mess-up, make sure your boss
knows first. Frequent contact and
follow-up goes a long way.
TRUST
Expect Respect
and Trust
Respect needs
to be earned
and trust can
only be gained
through time
and work
quality.
Compare Your Previous
Company to Your Present
VS.
Disregard Existing
Cultures and Dynamics
If you have a better
way of doing something,
find the right
forum to
air your
suggestions.
Be Overly Eager and Impatient
There's a fine
line between
initiative
and being
presumptuous
when contributing.
Use Technology Inappropriately
Not everyone allows
employees to IM, or
use Facebook and
Twitter on company
time. It depends on
the company culture.
Learning the right things
to do when starting a
new job is always ideal.
However, knowing what
not to do is equally
important:
Failure to respect
the culture and
how things get
done in a
company is
not ideal.