How to Impress in your First Job

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by Ian Foster, ROK Student 

So, your application form was a success, the interview a breeze and you’ve celebrated all weekend getting that well-paid, first graduate job you were after. What next? Well, you’ll most likely want to keep hold of your employed status, here are a few tips how you might go about doing so…

Communication:
Sound communication skills are the name of tha- sorry, the game…
Maintain a clear, clean dialogue with clients and colleagues alike. Save the slang and the blue language for out of office hours. A smile and a “Good Morning,” go a long way also. Consider your telephone manner- an external caller will be presented with your vocal greeting. First impressions last.

Remember: Don’t answer your female colleagues “Alright darling,” nor your male colleagues for that matter.

Respect:
...bringing me appropriately onto the next point- respect. Respect your colleagues. Be aware of sexual equality. This means that girls are as important as boys. Basic manners, which I’m sure you’re all aware of, should be expressed and maintained. Ask, don’t demand. Offer assistance. Similarly, you too should be respected by your colleagues - bear that in mind.

Remember: ‘Ogling’ your boss on the first day is not a desirable feat. Even if she is more attractive than Angelina Jolie.

Be yourself:
Be yourself. Do not put on an act. If you are not yourself, colleague’s will/can see through you. It seems rather obvious a point to make, but some nervous people will try anything in unfamiliar surroundings. If you told a few little white lies about what software you’re up-to-scratch with, you will be found out as your job progresses.

Timekeeping:
Be aware of time. Arrive on time, if not five minutes before your day starts. Arriving early lets you have some time to prepare for the day ahead. It does not leave a bad impression either. Ensure you take your allocated lunch break. Your break time is there for you to re-charge your batteries- eat and get a drink.

Remember: do not go the pub and sink three pints of cider in the July sun during your one-hour lunch break.