As a new addition to the workforce, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Rather than juggling classes, an internship, and a job to stay afloat, your obligations are now concentrated into a single role. Though unlike your college degree, professional employment is full of nuances to be aware of.
In line with our Recent College Grad New Hire series, we’ll be discussing tips for a stellar first working year out of college. Follow these steps to make an exceptional first impression, and visit this blog for the first entry in our Recent College Grad New Hire series.
3 Tips for Your First Year
Do Your Research
This should really be done prior to your first interview, though in general, it’s important to research your prospective workplace before jumping on board. Look at their LinkedIn page for a glimpse into their employee network and company size, Glassdoor, and other review sites to paint a picture of their work culture, and of course, their website. You can also get a feel for day-to-day responsibilities by reading your prospective employer’s job descriptions on Indeed.
This spills over once you’re actually employed as well, since you’ll need to get familiar with your industry if you hope to perform. Once settled in, do what you can to understand your company, their competitors, and where they fall in your broader industry. No matter your position, understanding these factors will give off a go-getter impression.
Keep Your Interest
Upon your first job out of college, it’s crucial to make a stellar first impression. While you can certainly do this by performing at a high level, showing your superiors that you’re interested is equally important. The best way to express your interest in your industry, company, and role is to exercise curiosity. In other words, ask questions. To make an even better impression, try listing out your questions in groups of five before actually asking them. This will save your supervisor time and give off an impression of organizational excellence.
Build Relationships with Your Coworkers
This is the best way to get comfortable from the get-go. If your boss or coworkers invite you to coffee or lunch, practice saying “yes.” Even if you’ve brought your own lunch, having a meal with your colleagues is an easy way to establish workplace friendships and learn about the people on your team. You could find yourself getting lunch regularly with one or more of your colleagues, which not only builds strong professional relationships, but gives you something to look forward to come lunch or break time.
During your first year of work, it’s especially important to get familiar with your company and build relationships with your surrounding colleagues. Set a firm tone for bigger and better career goals down the line by understanding what’s expected of you, being research-minded, remaining interested, and staying open to workplace friendships.
Listen to this recent Hack My Business episode for Reddock-Wright’s insights on the significance of your employee handbook, and visit this blog for the first entry in her Recent College Grad new Hire Need-to-Knows series.
You can also follow Reddock-Wright on Facebook and Instagram @iamangelareddockwright.com, LinkedIn at angelareddock-wright, and tune-in to her radio show KBLA Talk 1580’s Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright each Saturday and Sunday at 11am PST, or catch past episodes on Anchor.fm/Spotify.
For media inquiries for Angela, please reach out to monty@kwsmdigital.com.
Experienced Employment Law Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator, Legal and Media Commentator
Twice-named a U.S. News Best Lawyer in America for employment and labor law, Angela Reddock-Wright is an employment and labor law attorney, mediator, arbitrator, and certified workplace and Title IX investigator (AWI-CH) in Los Angeles, CA. Known as the “Workplace Guru,” Angela is an influencer and leading authority on employment, workplace/HR, Title IX, hazing, and bullying issues. Furthermore, she’s been named a “Top 50 Woman Attorney” in California by Super Lawyers, a “Top California Employment Lawyer” by the Daily Journal and one of Los Angeles’ “Most Influential Minority and Women Attorneys” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Angela is a regular legal and media commentator and analyst and has appeared on such media outlets as Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, Law and Crime with Brian Ross, Court TV, CNN, NewsNation, ABC News, CBS News, Fox 11 News, KTLA-5, the Black News Channel, Fox Soul – The Black Report, NPR, KPCC, Airtalk-89.3, KJLH Front Page with Dominique DiPrima, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the LA Times, Forbes.com, Yahoo! Entertainment, People Magazine, Essence Magazine, the Los Angeles Sentinel, LA Focus, Daily Journal, Our Weekly and the Wave Newspapers.
Angela is a member of the panel of distinguished mediators and arbitrators with Judicate West, a California dispute resolution company. She also owns her own dispute resolution law firm, the Reddock Law Group of Los Angeles, specializing in the mediation, arbitration, and investigation of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace claims, along with Title IX, sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct conduct cases, along with hazing and bullying cases in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, fraternities and sororities; fire, police and other public safety agencies and departments; and other private and public sector workplaces.
Reddock-Wright has also launched her own radio show, Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright, airing on Tavis Smiley’s new KBLA Talk 1580 radio station on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. PT with replays on subsequent Sundays. Listeners may tune-in by downloading the APP @kbla1580 and call the PowerLines at 1-800-920-1580. You can listen to past episodes on Anchor.Fm/Spotify.
For more information regarding resources for employers, businesses, and employees during this time, connect with her on LinkedIn for new updates, or contact her here. You may also follow her on Instagram.
This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment law attorney in your state or city.