First-Job Survival Guide

by Andrea J. Sutcliffe

• ISBN13: 9780805050141
• ISBN10: 0805050140
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1997-04-15
• Publisher: Macmillan Trade

Summary

The lowdown on what it takes to keep-and make a success of-that first job, this book speaks to beginners like the mentor they don't yet have, telling them in plain language how to make their first year a positive experience: from making the boss happy to getting along with coworkers, coping with moral dilemmas, and knowing when it's time to move on.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xxi
1. Your First Three Months	1	(23)
Making a Good First Impression	2	(5)
The Way You Look	2	(1)
The Way You Talk	3	(2)
The Way You Act	5	(2)
Understanding the Corporate Culture	7	(1)
Learning the Rules, Written and Unwritten	8	(6)
Taking Time Off	9	(1)
Office Etiquette	10	(4)
Learning to Do Your Job	14	(7)
Get Technically Competent	15	(1)
Learn More About the Company	16	(1)
Know What's Expected of You	17	(1)
Sweat the Small Stuff	18	(1)
Take Grunt Work Seriously	19	(1)
Own Up to Your Mistakes	20	(1)
Keep a Low Profile	21	(1)
The Probationary Period	21	(2)
Summary	23	(1)
2. Why Attitude Matters Most	24	(17)
Career-Killing Statements	26	(10)
"I'm Too Busy [i.e., Important] to Do That--Give It to the Secretary."	26	(1)
"Don't Bother Me with the Details--I'm More Concerned with the Big Picture."	27	(1)
"Nobody Told Me to (so I Didn't)."	28	(1)
"I Couldn't Finish on Time Because No One Would Help Me."	28	(1)
"Don't Blame Me--I Hardly Had Anything to Do with It."	29	(1)
"I'll Offer My Ideas When They Pay Me More."	29	(1)
"No One Will Notice If I Let This Slide for a While."	30	(1)
"This Is Harder Than I Thought It Would Be--I'll Get Back to It Later."	31	(1)
"It's Not in My Job Description."	31	(1)
"I'm Sorry but I Don't Know the Answer. Good-bye."	32	(1)
"I Didn't Know You Needed It So Soon."	32	(1)
"Sorry I Can't Help You with That--I'm Just Too Busy."	32	(1)
"I Can't Work Late Tonight--I Have Softball Practice."	32	(1)
"I Won't Be in Today--I Have This Terrible Headache."	33	(1)
"Why Should I Learn That Word Processing Program? Isn't That What the Secretary's For?"	34	(1)
"I Need an Assistant."	35	(1)
"When Will I Be Promoted?"	36	(1)
Career-Building Attitudes	36	(1)
When Unspoken Thoughts Speak Volumes	37	(1)
A Positive Attitude Is Made, Not Born	37	(3)
A Final Word About Attitude	40	(1)
3. Becoming a Professional	41	(35)
No Whining	42	(1)
No Excuses	42	(1)
Knowing When to Keep Your Mouth Shut	43	(4)
Avoid Gossip	43	(1)
Wait a While	43	(1)
Don't Interrupt	44	(1)
Know When to Stop	44	(1)
Limit Chitchat	44	(1)
Watch Your Language	45	(1)
Don't Overdo It	46	(1)
Refrain from People Bashing	46	(1)
Don't Be Rude	47	(1)
Learning to Listen	47	(7)
Give the Speaker Your Full Attention	47	(1)
Learn to Remember Names	48	(1)
Control Your Reactions	49	(1)
Listen for the Meaning Behind the Words	50	(1)
Avoid Interrupting	51	(1)
Pay Attention to Body Signals	51	(1)
Understand What You Hear	52	(1)
Keep an Open Mind	52	(1)
Empathize	53	(1)
Tolerate Difficult People	53	(1)
Making Your Boss Happy	54	(9)
Don't Cause Embarrassment	54	(1)
Respect Your Boss's Time	55	(1)
Work Hard, Work Smart	56	(1)
Anticipate Your Boss's Needs	57	(1)
Communicate the Way Your Boss Does	57	(1)
Be Dependable and Loyal	58	(1)
Be a Team Player	58	(1)
Learn What Your Boss Really Expects of You	59	(1)
Take Feedback and Criticism Gracefully	60	(2)
Show Initiative	62	(1)
Bring Solutions, Not Problems	63	(1)
Understand Your Boss's Concerns	63	(1)
Handling Stress	63	(4)
Making Friends at Work	67	(2)
Dealing with Customers	69	(3)
Avoiding Problems with Drugs and Alcohol	72	(1)
Keeping Your Private Life to Yourself	72	(2)
Coping with Office Politics	74	(1)
Summary	75	(1)
4. Getting Along with Your Boss and Your Coworkers	76	(35)
Getting Along with Your Boss	77	(8)
Your Boss Is Not Your Mother	79	(1)
Your Boss Has Problems, Too	80	(1)
Are You Meeting Your Boss's Basic Requirements?	81	(4)
The Five Basic Types of Bad Bosses	85	(11)
The Control Freak	86	(2)
The Power Seeker	88	(1)
The Spineless Wonder	89	(2)
The Distant Boss	91	(1)
The Silent Boss	91	(1)
Two Bosses Are Not Better Than One	92	(2)
To Sum Up...	94	(2)
Getting Along with Your Coworkers	96	(8)
Back Stabbers	97	(1)
Complainers	98	(1)
Know-it-alls	98	(1)
Nice-but-incompetents	99	(1)
Office Snakes	100	(1)
Gossips	101	(1)
Busybodies	101	(1)
The Uninvolved	102	(1)
Doomsayers	102	(1)
Meanies	103	(1)
Dealing with Difficult People in General	104	(7)
Human Nature at Work	105	(1)
Learn to Negotiate, Not Fight	106	(2)
The Problem with Perfectionism	108	(1)
If You Really Get Angry	109	(1)
Don't Compare Yourself with Others	110	(1)
5. Integrity at Work	111	(14)
Right or Wrong?	112	(7)
"No One Will Care If I Take a Few Packages of These Post-its Home--the Company Buys Them by the Thousands."	112	(1)
"We Can Have That Product to You in Two Weeks, Guaranteed, If You'll Place Your Order Today."	113	(1)
"Sure, I Sent That Report to Mr. Smith...."	113	(1)
"The Boss Left Early Today--So It's Okay If I Cut Out at Four-thirty Instead of Five."	114	(1)
"I Need to Take the Rest of the Week Off--My Grandmother Died."	114	(1)
"...I'll Do It Next Time for Sure."	115	(1)
"The Great Thing About the Internet Is That It's So Easy to Keep Up with My Friends from College...."	115	(1)
"I'll Just Eat the Free Snacks at the Bar and Claim a $20 Dinner on My Expense Report...."	116	(1)
"Mom, Here's My Company's 800 Number--Call Me Anytime on It."	116	(1)
"I Promised Sue I Would Keep This to Myself, But..."	117	(1)
"Rob, That's a Great Idea. I'm Surprised No One Has Thought of It Before."	118	(1)
Moral Dilemmas	119	(6)
The Fictional Time Sheet	119	(2)
Witness to Deceit	121	(1)
Loose Lips	121	(2)
The Overly Friendly Vendor	123	(1)
Little Things Mean a Lot	123	(2)
6. Getting the Job Done	125	(27)
How to Get Organized	125	(5)
Keeping a Calendar	125	(2)
Managing Paper	127	(3)
Time Management	130	(10)
Control Interruptions	130	(2)
Maintain a To-Do List	132	(1)
Decide What's Most Important	133	(2)
Tools You Can Use	135	(5)
Dealing with Procrastination	140	(1)
Getting the Job Done	141	(9)
Clarify Instructions and Expectations	142	(1)
Get the Help You Need	143	(1)
Be Flexible	144	(1)
If You'll Be Working on a Team Effort	144	(3)
Learn to Juggle Priorities	147	(1)
Know When to Say No	148	(1)
Keep Your Boss Informed	149	(1)
Turn in Quality Work	149	(1)
How to Handle Failure	150	(2)
7. Communicating Clearly	152	(25)
Communicating on a Personal Level	152	(7)
Speaking So That You Won't Be Misunderstood	152	(2)
Interpreting Different Speaking Styles	154	(1)
Selling Your Ideas	155	(2)
Being the Kind of Person People Like to Talk to (and Work With)	157	(1)
Dealing with Disagreements	158	(1)
Writing the Easy Way	159	(12)
Editing Your Own Writing	161	(9)
Some Advice on Communicating with E-mail	170	(1)
Making Effective Presentations	171	(6)
Preparing Your Notes	171	(3)
Giving the Talk	174	(3)
8. What to Expect from Performance Reviews	177	(15)
Preparing for Your First Review	178	(1)
The Appraisal Process	179	(6)
Ratings and How They Work	180	(3)
Types of Appraisals	183	(1)
During the Review	184	(1)
Setting Goals	185	(1)
Signing the Form	186	(1)
Performance Problems	187	(1)
How Raises Are Determined	188	(4)
Where Raises Come From	188	(2)
The "Big Pot of Money" Method	190	(1)
The "Promised" Raise	191	(1)
9. Where Do I Go from Here?	192	(23)
Don't Leave Too Soon	193	(5)
There Are Few Overnight Successes	195	(1)
There's No Substitute for Experience	195	(1)
There's No "I" in Teamwork	196	(1)
Lifelong Learning Is Essential	197	(1)
Money Isn't Everything	197	(1)
How to Know When It's Time to Leave	198	(13)
Recognizing the Warning Signs	200	(5)
Staying Where You Are	205	(2)
Moving to a New Job in the Same Company	205	(1)
Moving to a New Company	207	(3)
Going Back to School	210	(1)
Some Final Advice	211	(3)
You're in Control	211	(2)
The Qualities of Successful People	213	(2)
Recommended Reading	215	(2)
Index	217