Are You Ready For the Real World?

By Marjorie Brody, MA, CSP, CMC & Pamela J. Holland

No, we're not talking about the hot MTV show - so put your camcorder away!

The real world we're referring to doesn't accept demo videotapes. In fact, a lot of your college experiences to date won't matter very much.

The true “real world” is the world of employment and career opportunities.

It doesn't matter if your GPA rocks or you're a cyberspace genius, your good looks and smooth-talking ways aren't all you need to get the opportunity to work for the company of your dreams, or guarantee your long-term success there.

You need more than technical or academic knowledge or experience. Survival in the “real world” requires knowing -- and more importantly, doing -- the dozens of little things that make the difference between being viewed as a peon, a dolt or being considered sharp, savvy and a fast-tracker.

The surest path to success is one that avoids the “bumps” of bad office behavior, and stays clear of unconscious gaffes. Here, knowledge truly is power.

Preventing these career limiting moves (CLMs) is something they don't teach you in school. As a matter of fact, the old adage “you don't know what you don't know” is never more appropriate than when it comes to identifying or making a career limiting move.

Work Life is NOT the Same as College Life

Rolling out of bed and throwing sweatpants on 10 minutes before your class may work, but it won't cut it at work.

Your outfit should be business professional. That means a suit, unless you specifically are told that the culture is such that you should wear something else. Just make sure you properly interpret “business casual” if that's the dress code. This doesn't give you a license to wear tank tops and torn jeans. Also, be well-groomed and make sure that your shoes are clean/polished.

Ask your human resources department or established coworkers for guidance. When in doubt, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Know exactly where you need to be and when. Plan to arrive five to 10 minutes early, so you're not rushing through the door, winded.

Since you have the benefit of the World Wide Web at your fingertips, use it. Research the company you were hired to join - check out its Web site, annual reports, etc. You can learn a lot about a company's nuances and culture from visiting its cyberspace home.

Success Is Possible

OK. So you got the job of your dreams. Now you can sit back and count the paychecks, right?

Think again. You can't “audit” work like a favorite class. Success is not that easy. Especially not in today's tight job market and slow economy. Career rewards, recognition and increased opportunities are something that must be worked at, not taken for granted. The “homework” is never ending, and often needs to be self-initiated.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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