Fresh Graduate: The New Beginning of Working

Hey everyone. Maybe some of you already read my entry of Fresh Graduate: Interview. So once you already accepted your job, how can you survive as newbie in the office. Yes, you're the fresh meat that everyone would like a piece of you. It's either the help you or end up bullying you.

1. Be friendly/Polite
Be friendly to everyone in the office and be polite especially to the seniors. I don't like this "senior-junior" attitude but some workplace does have this kind of attitude. Yep, just go with the flow because some of the "senior" who earlier doesn't really give a crap (some are rude just because you're junior) on you will eventually be nice once you get to know them. Even thought you hate them, just fake a smile.

2. Ask
If you don't know anything just ask. If you don't know how to do your work, just ask. Even though some of them refuse to help you to learn but at least you asked. Some of the seniors like you to ask them. It make them feel important. Don't be shy and scare. It's better to ask rather than sitting there quietly and being dumb.Why do you need to ask? Refer to point 3. By the way, most of the seniors did mention this point to me. They want new hire to ask them. They might already point out important thing but some points could be missing. That's why they want you to ask.

3. Learn
We all write in our resume and tell the interviewer during the interview that "I am willing to learn." Now is the time that you need to learn by asking your senior if you don't know and not sure. Don't assume and just do it. You might end up making a mistake that in worse case will effected your senior or manager's work. Remember, DON'T ASSUME, JUST ASK. Okay some of them doesn't want to help you and you end up need to learn it yourself. Use the Internet and stop being lazy.

4. Punctual
Remember I told you to be punctual for the Interview? Make it a habit and continue to come early and be punctual when you come to the office. Make sure you are early whenever you need to attend a meeting either internal or with clients. Don't follow bad habit from your seniors who always come late.

5. Working Attire
It depends on your office dress code. I used to work in MNC company that allows employees to wear jeans. Most of the office prefer office casual. As long you look neat that would be fine. You don't want to look like someone just came out from the garbage do you?

6. Take note
You are new to the company and your job. Make sure you have a notebook and pen for you to write down anything important. Usually most of the company will give you a notebook together with other stationeries for you to use it. You won't want to piss off others for asking the same questions for so many times. Two times are still acceptable.

7. Blend in.
As I suggested in point one, try to blend in with others but be careful. Since you're new, don't trust anyone 100%. They might have other intention of scamming or using you. It will take a while for you to really blend in with colleagues who are more suitable for you. You are lucky if you have another new hire on your first day so you can make friends with that person and won't be so nervous as when you are alone.

8. Learn from mistake
Making mistake is unavoidable. No matter how careful you are, sometimes you'll end up making a mistake. Your senior or manager might be angry and scold you. Learn from that mistake and never repeat the same mistake again.

You will take some times to understand the company protocol and culture. Each company has their own culture. I've worked with 3 companies before and I've experienced 3 different cultures. My supervisor during my intern-ship did mention to me that the first year working is about adjusting yourself and knowing the company. So I advise that you should experience at least 1 year in your company to see how it goes. If you can't adapt to the working culture or get a better offer that you should go. If you have experience less than 1 year, most of the interviewers will ask because they afraid that you won't stick around and jump from one company to another.

Hope my tips above help you and it based on my experience. Other people may have different experience that I've never encounter. Maybe if you want to share you can mention it in the comment below. Happy working everyone!

Fresh Graduate: The Interview

Everyone used to be a fresh graduate. It's the starting point in your career. You have no experience but all you have is your certificate. Even some of you will agree with me that we don't really use what we learn in University or college but that's your ticket to find a job. But diploma and degree holders are everywhere now, so what makes you different from them? Here are some tips you need to have.

1. Interview is a learning process
Life is a continuous learning. It doesn't mean that once you finish your education in high school, college or university it's the end of your learning process. You still have to learn about your work once you're working. Don't be afraid. Go for interview. The first time you will be nervous and when you went to other interview you will feel better. Okay not necessary. You will still feel nervous but not as nervous as the first time. You will see different company has different style of interview. Some has written test, some has verbal only and some has both. You will gain confidence to talk and always smile.

2. Make sure you're early
This indicate that you're punctual. Employer wants their staff to be punctual to work. You might need to meet client if it's required in your job scope so don't let the bad attitude gives the client bad impression about your company. Going to work is totally different from going to class. It would be okay if you came late and skip the class but not for work. So show some good impression. If you're not familiar with the interview location, come one day earlier to check where the location is to avoid you from being late because you can't find the office.

3. Neat and appropriate attire.
Don't wear like what you wear when you go to class. Dress up and make you look professional. If you're applying for managerial area or any job that required you to look neat, wear a blazer and tie. No jeans. Remember, first impression is really important. It's not that you only need to dress up when you go for a date but also for interview but please no over make up that you will end up looking like a clown. Don't forget one more accessories, smile please.


4. Interest to the Job
Show your interest to the job that you apply. Ask questions about the job scope, the company but advisable avoid asking about salary. Perhaps you could ask during second interview or once they decide to choose you among all candidates. Yes, some company has a few levels of interview. I've been to third level interview but seems like someone is better than me.


5. Build confidence level
Learn about the job that you apply and the company business. If you're shy, go for a lot of interview and slowly you will build up your confidence. Don't get frustrated when the interview doesn't goes well but learn all the things that you don't know during the interview. It will be useful for the next interview. If you show your confidence during the interview, the interviewer will be interested to hire you. After several interview, I'm able to build up confidence while attending interview that make the interviewer impress and interested to hire me.

6. Show them you're willing to learn
Don't just write in your resume "willing to learn" when you're actually don't. Employer usually prefer someone with experience but if you show them your willingness to learn, they might give you a chance and hire you. Study some of the basic skill that required for your job so you can answer them during the interview.

7. Bring pen (and calculator - optional)
Depends on what kind of job that you apply. Some jobs such as designer or programmer, they will be interested to see your works. Maybe your final project or from your intern-ship. Even if you don't have writing test, you will need to fill up some form. So in case you have calculation test, you already have a calculator with you.

8. Join Intern-ship or Jobless Graduated Program
If you're not lucky in finding a permanent job, try contract, intern-ship or Jobless Graduated Program. There's a lot of option out there and it's up to you to join or just sit around. One of the famous program is Management Trainee. I used to go for an interview for Borders and also Jusco. You will start from below and slowly crawl to the top because your in the management program.

Don't just sit around and whining bout you not getting a job. Before I get my permanent job, I used to work as a retail associate. That's the fancy word that equal to salesgirl. In my interview, they asked me what do I get from a work that's not related to what I studied. My answer is, "It build up confidence, improve my soft skill (interaction with customer) and gain me experience." Just some tips to share with you based on my experience. Maybe some of these tips could help you.