My Advice to Recent Graduates
Recent graduates and young professionals, I know that entering this job market has been a major challenge for many of you, but I wanted to take some time to offer you some advice on how you can succeed in your professional career, regardless of the current conditions.
Your journey as a working professional is about to or has just begun. Kicking it off on the right foot is what will set you up for the professional success that you’re looking for.
You have so much to learn and so much room to grow. But, these tips will help you get to where you’re looking to go a lot faster. These apply regardless of industry, economic situation, etc.
Read on if you’re interested in finding out my top 7 tips for making the very most out of your early professional career and how to utilize it to propel forward...
1. Be humble. You’re the new kid on the block.
I know it’s tough news to hear, but you’re the new kid here. If you walk into the workplace on day one acting as if you own it, you’re going to instantly lose credibility and the respect of those around you.
With being the new kid on the block, it’s important to earn the trust and respect of those around you before pushing any boundaries. This takes a little time. So when starting in a position, especially straight out of college, understand that staying humble and gradually earning the respect you deserve is a far better tactic than coming off too strong on day one.
2. Be Realistic about your goal salary.
This one had to make the list because all too often, we have young professionals walk in the door with absolutely no experience, and when we ask them “what’s the salary range that you’re looking for?”, they give us some absurd number like 100K.
Now, I’m not saying these individuals won't ever make it to that salary, because it is possible with relevant experience built up and a great track record. But, what these individuals don't understand is that by throwing out these absurd numerical values, they’re hurting themselves in the long-run. These salary ranges are so far out of proportion that hiring managers don’t want to have to waste their time trying to negotiate these individuals all the way down to a reasonable salary.
Know your worth. You may very well be worth 100K straight out of college, who am I to judge. But, just remember to be realistic and research the salary range for the positions that you apply to beforehand to avoid wasting your time or anyone else's.
3. Maximize your learning by working with a coach/mentor and be a sponge.
Training is a luxury that not all companies can offer. So if you are provided with training, that’s something for you to keep in mind. It really is a luxury; you're getting paid to advance your skills and become more knowledgeable in your field. It’s almost like getting paid to attend class in college- a dream come true!
With that being said, show your appreciation for your company if they invest the time into properly coaching and developing you. They’re investing in you and your future potential, so don’t take that lightly. Show up early, and stay late if you can.
And most importantly- be a sponge. The knowledge that you’re being given (i would hope) is coming from an experienced professional. They’ve been in your shoes before and know what works, so trust the process and absorb as much information as you can.
4. These are your years for making personal and professional mistakes.
Your 20s are your years for being adventurous and learning from your mistakes. This is your chance to be reckless and experiment, learn by trial and error, and well, put in the long, tiresome hours that will set you up for your future success.
You don’t have to have it all figured out, and most professionals will understand if you don't know exactly what you want to do in 5-10 years because chances are when they were your age, they didn't know either.
But, the best piece of advice that I can offer, is that whatever job you are given, whether you’re passionate about it or not, give it your all. I often reference the quote “Your network is your net worth” and this is exceptionally true regarding work experience. Build meaningful relationships with your company and superiors, and work your butt off because you never know who is watching or what connections your current job or workplace will bring you.
5. Don't chase money. Chase the freedom that comes with it.
Have you ever met someone that is always chasing more money? They get a new job that pays way more than their last, yet they're still not content and want more. Regardless of how much they make, they will never be happy, and it will never be enough. Not only is this person going to live a passionless life because they’re chasing something that really cannot provide happiness and they will never feel that they have enough of, but they’re also always going to be unhappy.
Appreciate every step of your professional journey before it passes you up and remember: life is an adventure. Take the time to enjoy it. Take time to soak in where you are now before it’s gone. And don't think of money as an end goal, think of it as a tool to help you achieve freedom.
That freedom is ultimately what will actually lead to the happiness that you’ve been striving for and a job that is far more rewarding than one that just pays really well. Some tend to have their thought process backward and that’s why they’re never content and never will be.
6. Learn to accept your failures when you encounter them, and move on.
Learning to take failure and criticism well isn’t always an easy process. But, it ultimately comes down to self-esteem. Low self-esteem, believe it or not, can be detected from a mile away. If you know that you tend to be less confident in yourself and are more susceptible to taking criticism poorly, I highly recommend you read Awaken The Giant Within by Anthony Robbins. It really is a great book that our company has been reading as a team and will help you start to build more confidence and trust in yourself.
Breaking out of your shell is going to be riveting, and better yet, if you start to learn how to accept criticism or failure well and can walk away with your head held high, it will not only portray confidence but also allow you to earn the respect of your superiors and teammates.
7. Lastly, be honest and transparent.
And while this piece of advice really speaks for itself, I wanted to clarify that I’m not saying to be brutally honest and transparent- don't forget piece of advice #1: BE HUMBLE!
What I am saying is to not be afraid to voice your opinion when necessary if you know it will contribute to the greater good. Being honest and transparent will speak volumes about your character to management and to your teammates and will allow you to establish a foundation of trust with them.