Everywhere you look, new hires are endangered. Many of them are about to graduate and start their careers with hearts filled with dreams and rainbows and gummy bears, ready to frolic in the rich fjords of Employmentland. But sadly, too many of them are not prepared for the world they’re about to enter. Some of them think sweatpants count as ‘business casual.’ Others think that constantly updating their Facebook status is actually part of their job description. And still others ask when they’ll get promoted 14 seconds after they’ve been hired. It’s true. Some new hires don’t even know that they’ll only be promoted once they’ve actually done something worth being promoted for!!!
If we don’t do something soon, then one day there may be no new hires left. And then who would get us coffee when we’re too lazy to get it ourselves? We can’t let this happen!!!!
But it’s not too late to help them. As part of my Save the New Hires campaign, people submitted their best tip for new hires. Here are a few of my favorites, enjoy!
Your job performance and attendance is important whether this is your first job or your twentieth job. Learn your job duties and do them well, be on time, don’t miss deadlines, show initiative and enthusiasm no matter how small the task, and don’t gossip! – Kim P
I think the most valuable piece of advice I give new hires during new employee training is related to the dress code. I tell them that if they look in the mirror after getting dressed in the morning and ask themselves, “Should I wear this to work?” I want them to hear my voice loud and clear in their heads shouting “NO! Go change now! And do it quickly so you’re not late!” – Annette H
Don’t walk into Human Resources with your blood red vampire contact lenses in, and ask for an application. – Carol W
Know your strengths and don’t over exaggerate them. Absolutely bring your strengths to the table, but don’t over commit. If you can live up to what you spout as your strengths, you should be successful. – Sally A
Don’t bring your new puppy, kids or boyfriend (even if you are potty training) to orientation. – Ginger R
Your education has only started. You need to keep an open mind and soak up every bit of knowledge like a sponge. – Brad M
My one piece of advice is to know the environment of the company that you’re applying. If you know the environment you can dress appropriately for the interview, you’ll have intelligent and thought out questions for your interviewer and you’ll show that you want the job enough to put some time and research into it…. Or don’t and I’ll see you hand me my egg McMuffin in the drive through.– Nick W
Don’t stop being YOU just because you have a job. Sure, you should be a cleaner, neater version of yourself, and put on pants & stuff…..but think of it as being in the ‘dating mode’ of a potential relationship. Be you, but be the ‘best’ you you have. And don’t try to kiss anyone goodnight. Nothing annoys the boss more. Last time I’ll ever assume! – Shasta B
Be a duck – when people spew water all over you acknowledge you’re wet, shake it off, and don’t hold a grudge.- Tari T
Do all of the basic stuff well – attendance, attitude, following the rules, etc. – and you will be ahead of the curve. Do not underestimate the importance of these foundational “common sense” behaviors… hint: they aren’t so common. Jenny L
Always be kind to support people including admin assist.. For they are the ones really in charge and can either make your work life go smoothly or make your life a living &$@”. You never want to cross anyone’s admin. Assistant .. They stick together and will all take it out on you. – Barbara T (Winner, Luckiest Person Alive, Prize- Business Etiquette Mini Book Bundle)
RELAX! You can do it! No matter how well groomed or “Drill Sargent’esk” the interviewer seems to portray themselves and the well oiled machine they work for, once you’re hired, you’ll see it’s just as flawed as the rest of the world! Which leads to your excitement and drive on how you can make it a better place! – Kevin L (Winner, Best Advice, Prize- Professional Excellence Video Series with Workbooks)
And bonus points to the following three tips for paying attention to my blog and telling people what NOT to do:
Make sure you talk the loudest and the longest at every meeting to prove you are the smartest about everything even if you have no idea about anything since, after all, you just got here! Don’t let that stop you! Please tell all the stories about all the successful frat parties you planned and all the shifts you pulled at the dining hall sophomore year and how we should all follow the same process now since it worked so swimmingly for you and your fellow “Q Dawgs”. We like to hear you talk over us. We like that you think you know all the answers all the time. We like that you don’t listen. We love that you have nothing to learn from those of us who have been here since you entered kindergarten. Really. We do! Ann L (Winner, Most Desperately In Need, Prize- Business Etiquette Mini Book Bundle)
First I’d like to say the old line, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” No, really… You can be dumb as rocks but if you know the owner of that fancy company, you are IN. Don’t spend time learning in college, spend time partying on weekdays and weekends to meet as many people as you can because, as noted above, know people! BUT, the trick is when you meet people, act nice to them… so if you’re a mean drunk, I recommend following more sound advice. – Stephanie G
Work your way up the corporate ladder as quickly as possible by taking credit for co-workers’ ideas at every opportunity.- Karen K
Thanks to everyone who entered the Save the New Hires Giveaway! We’ll have more awesome giveaways coming soon.
Do you have any tips you would like to add? Share them in the comments!
