Transition to the Workplace Making the Most of the Critical First Year on the Job

1. Transition to the WorkplaceMaking the Most of the Critical First Year on the Job Lycoming College Career Services 570-321-4034 http://www.lycoming.edu/careerservices careerservices@lycoming.edu

2. The First Year • Your performance in the first year is critical to future career success • The rules of the game are different • A great deal of personal change is occurring during this time • Change is difficult and causes stress

3. The Rules of the Game • Manage Your Expectations • Keep your expectations realistic • Realistic Expectations Reduce Frustrations • The Picture painted by recruiters in often not reality • The job is often not as glamorous as you expect

4. The Rules of the Game • Manage Your Expectations • The way things happen often defies logic • Due to politics, chain of command, organizational structure, personalities, etc • Team and people skills are more precious than what you know • Success paradigm changes from individualism to teamwork approach

5. The Rules of the Game • Manage Your Expectations • Demands on your time change • College 16 hours/week obligated, rest on own • Work 50 hours/week obligated, rest on own • Your social life will change • Less time for you more time to meet obligations • Work • Financial • Personal Maintenance, House Work, Shopping, Banking • Community Involvement • Personal/Social

6. The Rules of the Game • Proceed with Caution • You may want to make a big splash in the organization in the first year but you will often end up doing a Belly Smacker

7. The Rules of the Game • Proceed with Caution • Showing off what you know is not as good as demonstrating maturity • Demonstrating maturity means understanding there is more that you don’t know than you do know

8. The Rules of the Game • Proceed with Caution • Listen more than you speak • When you listen and look you learn; • “The Company Way” • How decisions are made • Who makes decisions • The rules of engagement

9. The Rules of the Game • Learn the Culture • The organizations culture dictates the “Unwritten Rules” that govern the company

10. The Rules of the Game • Learn the Culture • You must “fit” and embrace the culture of the organization • Learn the politics • Pay attention to the “Way Things are Done”

11. The Rules of the Game • Learn the Culture • You must “fit” and embrace the culture of the organization • Notice where colleagues spend time and energy • Project Development, Analysis, Reporting, Communications, Meetings, etc

12. The Rules of the Game • Manage Your Impressions • First Impressions Matter • Bosses, Colleagues, and Subordinates are all checking you out • Accessing your ability to succeed • Determining how much trust, responsibility, and cooperation to give you

13. The Rules of the Game • Manage Your Impressions • Everything you do is magnified • Building your track record is critical • You have no record of achievement to fall back on when mistakes are made

14. The Rules of the Game • Manage Your Impressions • Demonstrate your willingness to earn your spot on the team • Take the time to learn the organizational environment • Pay your dues

15. The Rules of the Game • Look and Act like a professional • Often the Rules for Professional Appearance are Unwritten but they are always accessed and enforced

16. The Rules of the Game • Look and Act like a professional • Exceed the expectations until you learn the rules of the profession • Mimic the Dress and Actions of the “Up and Coming” in your peer group

17. The Rules of the Game • Look and Act like a professional • Often the Rules for Professional Appearance are Unwritten but they are always accessed and enforced

18. The Rules of the Game • Look and Act like a professional • Dress in Clothes that say you mean business • Keep in step with Dress Code. • Don’t dress above or below your position

19. The Rules of the Game • Learn How to be In Transition • Transition phase is difficult • Expect things to go badly as you adapt • Work through your difficulties through communication • Realize that the transition takes time and experience, You can’t rush either

20. The Rules of the Game • Your boss is your key to success • Learn what boss expects of you, needs from you, and wants from you • Be a problem solver • Present boss with solutions not problems

21. The Rules of the Game • Your boss is your key to success • Never go around your boss • Keep your boss informed about all your work • Do not let your boss be surprised or caught off- guard • Make your boss look good

22. Transitions in Your Personal Life • Personal transitions are often more stressful than workforce transitions • Reducing the stress in your personal life will make the first critical years of work easier to adjust to

23. Transitions in Your Personal Life • Be in Control of Your Finances • Make a budget and stick with it • Begin retirement savings immediately! • Be careful of overspending and taking on credit Build your possessions slowly • Don’t work yourself into a financial hole • Be an informed consumer

24. Transitions in Your Personal Life • Reduce Workplace Transition Stress Through Familiarity • Find a roommate • Live near family and friends • Live with parents • Develop a routine for work and play

25. Transitions in Your Personal Life • Get Involved in Your Community • Join clubs or organizations that you enjoy • Volunteer your time to help others • Be an active member of a church family • Get involved in worthwhile causes

26. Transitions in Your Personal Life • Find Someone to Discuss Your Concerns • Loved Ones • Family • Mentor • Church Leader/Member • Support Group

27. Transitions in Your Personal Life • Do Not Jump into Personal Relationships • Relationships often get used as a crutch during periods of uncertainty • Must determine your direction before you can effectively commit to others

28. Transition to the Workplace The transition period takes time. See it through and make it a learning experience.