After graduation, you usually take your first big steps into the working world, officially launching your career. While it is an exciting time, it can also be a challenging one. Many new grads have inaccurate ideas about how their careers should proceed, what the job search process will be like, and much more.
If you’re a recent (or soon-to-be) graduate, approaching the start of your career the right way is essential. With that in mind, here are a few things new grads need to know.
Know Your Priorities
In many cases, your first job after graduating won’t be perfect. It isn’t going to bring everything you could want to the table. Plus, new grads aren’t typically in a position to demand all that their heart desires from an employer; they don’t have that kind of clout.
As a result, new grads need to take a moment to determine what really matters most to them at this early stage in their career. Are you looking for an exceptional culture? Is room for growth and advancement a priority? Are you most worried about your salary and benefits package?
By knowing your priorities, you can focus on opportunities that nail that specific area. Then, anything else you get out of the position is essentially a bonus.
Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Many new grads are passionate about their fields and ready to share their ideas with the world. While enthusiasm is certainly great, walking into a workplace and immediately trying to change its operations isn’t.
Now, it isn’t that you can’t share ideas. Instead, it means that you need to work to understand how things work at that company first. There may be reasons why various procedures are in place, so spend time figuring out the why behind the how before you start trying to change anything substantially.
Build Your Connections
The strength of your professional network has a big impact on your career. While new grads may have some connections with their classmates, and those relationships should certainly be nurtured, it’s also time to expand.
Reach out to local field experts and ask for informational interviews. Take advantage of your larger alumni network to make new connections. Find someone who may be able to act as a mentor. All of those moves broaden your professional network, something that could lead to critical support and unexpected opportunities over time.
Start an Achievement Journal
As you write and rewrite your resume during the course of your career, you’ll want to be able to include relevant accomplishments that highlight your skills. The trick is, as time passes, it can be hard to remember the details.
If you want to simplify your resume writing during your career, start an achievement journal. Every time you have an accomplishment, jot down the overall result and critical supporting metrics. That way, the information is readily available, ensuring you can refresh your memory any time to situation calls for it.
In the end, all of the tips above can help new grads get started on the right foot. If you’d like to learn more, the staff at TempStaff can help. Contact us today.
