Tips for new workforce entrants

[Wirey]

These are meant as general tips for the new entrants into the job market. Please remember that as the new guy, how you approach your coworkers at first will completely determine how the new job goes. Here we are:

1) Always remember, you don’t know jack. The crap you learned in college, or trade school, or picking turnips on Uncle Ted’s farm doesn’t match up to that guy or gal who has been doing this for 20 years. Here’s a secret; they went to college/trade school/Uncle Ted’s farm too! They already know what you know, plus 20 years of hands on! Shut up and learn. Nothing will get you put on the outside and marginalized faster than thinking you know something. You don’t.

2) Be patient. No one gets the Johnston account on their first day. You’ve just entered a group of people who are familiar with each others strengths and weaknesses and they need to get to know yours. Watch the others and learn what they know.

3) Trust your instincts. There are a few people who get by with no talent. If you pay attention, it’s pretty easy to spot the ones who are all hat and no cattle. They’re usually the ones trying to get you to do their job. Avoid them.

4) Do the work. As the newbie, you’re going to get crappy tasks at first. Do them, and do them well. A good work ethic is its own reward. Plus, smart people notice that kind of thing. I noticed a young electrician with a good brain and a good work ethic a few years ago and took him under my wing. He made $250,000 last year. Do the work.

5) Don’t become complacent. Just because you have a good job doesn’t mean you can’t get a great job. Always push to get better, and get when you do, push more. If you stagnate professionally, it will make your job worse in a very short time.

6) Give it your all. If you’re going to be a lawyer, or a plumber, or a line chef, be the best. Don’t worry about what other people are doing, take what’s in you and wring every bit of talent you have out. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more rewarding than having companies you’ve never spoken to call and offer you a job because everyone in your industry knows who you are.

Those are the basics. Essentially, it all boils down to effort and work ethic. Good luck out there.

 

[factseeker88]

These are meant as general tips for the new entrants into the job market. Please remember that as the new guy, how you approach your coworkers at first will completely determine how the new job goes. Here we are:

1) Always remember, you don’t know jack. The crap you learned in college, or trade school, or picking turnips on Uncle Ted’s farm doesn’t match up to that guy or gal who has been doing this for 20 years. Here’s a secret; they went to college/trade school/Uncle Ted’s farm too! They already know what you know, plus 20 years of hands on! Shut up and learn. Nothing will get you put on the outside and marginalized faster than thinking you know something. You don’t.

2) Be patient. No one gets the Johnston account on their first day. You’ve just entered a group of people who are familiar with each others strengths and weaknesses and they need to get to know yours. Watch the others and learn what they know.

3) Trust your instincts. There are a few people who get by with no talent. If you pay attention, it’s pretty easy to spot the ones who are all hat and no cattle. They’re usually the ones trying to get you to do their job. Avoid them.

4) Do the work. As the newbie, you’re going to get crappy tasks at first. Do them, and do them well. A good work ethic is its own reward. Plus, smart people notice that kind of thing. I noticed a young electrician with a good brain and a good work ethic a few years ago and took him under my wing. He made $250,000 last year. Do the work.

5) Don’t become complacent. Just because you have a good job doesn’t mean you can’t get a great job. Always push to get better, and get when you do, push more. If you stagnate professionally, it will make your job worse in a very short time.

6) Give it your all. If you’re going to be a lawyer, or a plumber, or a line chef, be the best. Don’t worry about what other people are doing, take what’s in you and wring every bit of talent you have out. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more rewarding than having companies you’ve never spoken to call and offer you a job because everyone in your industry knows who you are.

Those are the basics. Essentially, it all boils down to effort and work ethic. Good luck out there.

Good advice, sounds like you went through it all yourself

 

[Quagmire]

7) One major perk to being a good worker is that you'll always only have to take so much **** from your boss. Always remember: if you're a decent worker, it would be a helluva lot easier for you to find another ***-hole boss than it would be for him to find another worker like you.

 

[Alceste]

8) Try for a union job. Very few of the other options out there for new workers pay a living wage these days.

 

[lunamoth]

Don't complain. If there is a real cause for redress, keep notes and build a case. Act professionally with everyone.