Entry-level Workplace Tips

In about two months it will be the anniversary of my college graduation. I can't believe it's been almost a year since I went from student to entry-level professional. Time really flies.

Like I've said before, I'm not working in my ideal industry (agency PR), but I try to gain meaningful experience and make a positive impact at current position every day.

Recently, I've been getting asked the same question over and over again by my friends who haven't graduated yet: "What's some advice about working in the real world school didn't teach me?"


Well, let me share with you some things I learned from experience and through co-workers I wish I knew before I started working.

NOTE: All of these experience are at a private company in a corporate marketing role. Your experience at a start-up or agency might negate some of these tips.


Always say yes

Now, I always knew this tip, but it's definitely worth repeating.

The word 'no' should never cross your lips unless you're being asked to do something ridiculously over your head (like if a developer asked me to start coding .NET). No matter how menial the task, always show you're willing to do whatever it takes for the company. Since I started my job, I've been asked to do quite a bit of clerical and administrative work completely unrelated to my position. I faxed, scanned, copied and spent hours renaming contract files. Was any of this making use of my strong writing skills? Nope. But it showed the company I have no problem taking on any task given to me.


You never know when a random skill you have will come in handy

Remember that skill you listed on your resume you thought your job would never use? Well, you might actually use it. For example: I know how to code HTML, but I've never had to use the skill with the content management systems I use. Yesterday, I ended up coding an HTML table for HR because their online HTML editor didn't have an automated table creator. I never thought I'd actually have to code any HTML, but having that skill came in handy and made a positive impact with HR (and whenever you can make HR happy, that's always a good thing).


Corporate bureaucracy is brutal

This is probably the hardest issue for recent grads transitioning to a full-time job. When I worked on group projects in college, there was discussion and then action. In a corporate setting, you have discussion, more discussion, consulting with upper-level management, some more discussion, contacting departments, more discussion and then maybe some actual action. Not all projects are like this, but the layers of bureaucracy can make you lose all motivation.

Many times, your initial vision and the final product don't match up. You have to be very careful balancing relationships and not stepping on anyone's toes. My advice is to never lose sight of the big picture when you start facing the bureaucratic process. As Dory from Finding Nemo said, "Just keep swimming."


Calling and/or physically talking to a co-worker is better than emailing

While I'm sure some co-workers don't mean to ignore my emails, it happens. If someone doesn't respond or starts to give the run-around, I physically talk to them or call them if they're in another office. The ignoring, excuses and run-around magically disappear when I call or talk to someone in person.


Manage up

I sort of knew what this meant, but I didn't know how to actually do it. Managing up is essentially holding your boss accountable to you. If you need some information or a resource from your boss and he/she hasn't given it to you yet, ask for it. Bosses have a ton of things going on and the information you needed could have simply dropped off his/her radar. This information could be holding you back from progress on your project, so managing up will show you take initiative.

Now, obviously, don't go overboard and start demanding things left and right, because this will make you look annoying. Manage up with a delicate touch.


That's all for my tips. I'm sure I'll have more for another post soon.

Do you have any entry-level tips you wish you knew before starting your job?