Entering the Work Force Well by Motte Brown on 08/29/2007 at 11:22 AM

In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, Elizabeth Holmes reports on the lack of career mentors for 20-somethings entering today's job market. Here's an excerpt explaining why:

The mentor-mentee relationship used to be a partnership between a manager and a new hire. The experienced boss coached his rookie. When the newbie looked good, the boss looked better. Now, with managers stuck volleying emails, tackling expense-account systems and dodging high-velocity blame, time for teaching has evaporated.

She says the HR answer to this has been the assigned-mentor program which matches rookies with someone who's been there awhile. The problem is that these peer advisers "have no attachments to their mentee and no stake in the person's future." As a result, they'll show them where the office supplies are but not much else.

My first professional job was in a U.S. Senator's military liaison office. I'll never forget Colonel Miller's kind but inattentive management style. It was a sink or swim atmosphere, which has its own pros and cons. Since then I've had the privilege of being in a supervisory role and would like to share some general tips for all you mentor deprived rookies that may help you transition well into the workplace.

1. Be on time. Even if the boss has flexible work hours and comes and goes as he pleases, don't assume that gives you license to.
2. Be eager to listen. Don't talk too much. When you're in a meeting or have face time with the boss, listen well, take notes and ask questions when needed. That said, don't be afraid to offer your opinion. Just wait for an appropriate opening.
3. Be eager to work. Having a "can do" attitude goes a long way when starting out. Most bosses don't expect great wonders from new hires. But they do expect someone who's willing to try anything that's asked of them.
4. Be a good steward of the work day. Take care not to spend an inordinate amount of time surfing websites of personal interest, sending personal emails, and talking on your cell to friends. You can do things on your own time, over lunch if it's permitted.
5. Be well groomed. Don't get too crazy expressing yourself with your hair, head, facial or otherwise. And look sharp whatever your office dress code.
6. Ask questions. The old adage that there's no such thing as a dumb question is true. Put aside your fear of looking stupid and ask lots of questions.
7. Take responsibility for your mistakes. When you mess up, own it. Don't shift the blame or make excuses. Be direct and say "the fault is mine." Then move on.
8. Stay put. Unless you're going through some unbearable circumstance, stick around for at least a year before moving on.

I could literally go on and on but these should get you started. And I know these seem fairly obvious, but you'd be surprised at how even seasoned professionals forget the little things.

Entering the Work Force Well by Motte Brown on 08/29/2007 at 11:22 AM

In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, Elizabeth Holmes reports on the lack of career mentors for 20-somethings entering today's job market. Here's an excerpt explaining why:

The mentor-mentee relationship used to be a partnership between a manager and a new hire. The experienced boss coached his rookie. When the newbie looked good, the boss looked better. Now, with managers stuck volleying emails, tackling expense-account systems and dodging high-velocity blame, time for teaching has evaporated.

She says the HR answer to this has been the assigned-mentor program which matches rookies with someone who's been there awhile. The problem is that these peer advisers "have no attachments to their mentee and no stake in the person's future." As a result, they'll show them where the office supplies are but not much else.

My first professional job was in a U.S. Senator's military liaison office. I'll never forget Colonel Miller's kind but inattentive management style. It was a sink or swim atmosphere, which has its own pros and cons. Since then I've had the privilege of being in a supervisory role and would like to share some general tips for all you mentor deprived rookies that may help you transition well into the workplace.

1. Be on time. Even if the boss has flexible work hours and comes and goes as he pleases, don't assume that gives you license to.
2. Be eager to listen. Don't talk too much. When you're in a meeting or have face time with the boss, listen well, take notes and ask questions when needed. That said, don't be afraid to offer your opinion. Just wait for an appropriate opening.
3. Be eager to work. Having a "can do" attitude goes a long way when starting out. Most bosses don't expect great wonders from new hires. But they do expect someone who's willing to try anything that's asked of them.
4. Be a good steward of the work day. Take care not to spend an inordinate amount of time surfing websites of personal interest, sending personal emails, and talking on your cell to friends. You can do things on your own time, over lunch if it's permitted.
5. Be well groomed. Don't get too crazy expressing yourself with your hair, head, facial or otherwise. And look sharp whatever your office dress code.
6. Ask questions. The old adage that there's no such thing as a dumb question is true. Put aside your fear of looking stupid and ask lots of questions.
7. Take responsibility for your mistakes. When you mess up, own it. Don't shift the blame or make excuses. Be direct and say "the fault is mine." Then move on.
8. Stay put. Unless you're going through some unbearable circumstance, stick around for at least a year before moving on.

I could literally go on and on but these should get you started. And I know these seem fairly obvious, but you'd be surprised at how even seasoned professionals forget the little things.

Comments

[1. Laura said the following at 12:35 PM on Aug 29:]

1

I appreciate tip #7 and I'm glad to say it's something I have always done.

Not everyone does, however. I've been in the corporate workforce for a long time now and if I had to list a top pet peeve of co-workers and leaders, it would be their refusal to admit their mistakes, especially when doing so hurts others.

[2. NeedACatchyName said the following at 1:44 PM on Aug 29:]

2

All of these are very good pieces of information for folks starting out in the work force. These three especially stuck out to me as someone who has been in the work force for several years now:

2. Be eager to listen. Too many recent college graduates are way too overconfident in their knowledge, and always try to butt heads with and contradict the more experienced employees on matters in which they have very little experience. Once you get more experience, you'll be able to speak up more, but for now, focus on listening and getting the job done. Oh, and take notes regardless of whether or not you actually need to. Even if you can remember things without taking notes, bosses love it when they see you writing stuff down.

5. Be well groomed. Try to dress at the upper end of your company's typical dress code. For example, if some people wear jeans and some where khakis, where khakis. Or if some wear dress shirts and ties and others just wear button down shirts, wear a dress shirt and tie. Once again, when you get more experience, you'll be able to relax this a bit.

7. Take responsibility for your mistakes. Enough said, and the single most important item on this list.

I'd add two more:

1. Try to become friends with your coworkers. Nobody likes that guy who sits at his desk for eight hours never talking to anyone who hates associating with his coworkers outside of work. Plus its a lot more rewarding and fun to be working with friends rather than random people you don't really know.

2. Don't overdo the sick days. That doesn't mean you shouldn't use a sick day if you need to but don't be that person who takes a sick day once every two weeks because they had a slight headache or had trouble sleeping last night. Plus too many sick days without a doctor's excuse can get you in trouble at nearly every workplace.

[3. J. said the following at 4:21 PM on Aug 29:]

3

Thanks for the reminders. But after a couple of years in the professional work force, I've observed that there may not be "dumb" questions, but there are lots of "lazy" questions. Asking questions is great, but try to do as much legwork on your own before approaching someone else with a question. This helps the learning process as well...

[4. Mike Theemling said the following at 6:57 PM on Aug 29:]

4

I theorize that another big reason is that the concept of "lifetime employment" no longer exists in this country (except perhaps in civilan government).

That implies that the junior working under you may very well replace you in the near future, whether he/she has that in mind or not. So why would someone risk digging their own grave by mentoring someone who could one day replace them?

[5. Leah said the following at 5:22 AM on Aug 30:]

5

" But they do expect someone whose willing"

Should read "someone who's willing"

ie. It is a contraction for "who is" ergo it's written "who's" :P

I know, I know, I'm pedantic, and I love it ;P

*cough*GRAMMAR NAZI*cough*

That said, I agree with all of these points. I've never actually had a job at all even as a teenager (simply because I would get paid to do work around the house and quite simply a) didn't need extra money and b) I knew most jobs would require me to work Friday nights and Sundays which I wasn't willing to give up, Fridays for youth group and Sunday is a given). But I've done volunteer work and quite simply, just out of common sense I know these to be true.

I might however counter the recommendation to ask "lots" of questions. Yes, questions are good. But not lots. I've had to supervise people for various reasons and lots of questions can be a downright pain. Sometimes you just want to say "use your brain" or "Look it up yourself" or something. Like J said, if you can figure it out yourself, do so. Lazy questions can irritate people.

[6. babaloo said the following at 11:53 AM on Aug 11:]

6

also you WEAR a shirt....not WHERE a shirt.... spelling is important no matter WHAT your job is....altho I AM the "typo queen"

[1. Laura said the following at 12:35 PM on Aug 29:]

1

I appreciate tip #7 and I'm glad to say it's something I have always done.

Not everyone does, however. I've been in the corporate workforce for a long time now and if I had to list a top pet peeve of co-workers and leaders, it would be their refusal to admit their mistakes, especially when doing so hurts others.

[2. NeedACatchyName said the following at 1:44 PM on Aug 29:]

2

All of these are very good pieces of information for folks starting out in the work force. These three especially stuck out to me as someone who has been in the work force for several years now:

2. Be eager to listen. Too many recent college graduates are way too overconfident in their knowledge, and always try to butt heads with and contradict the more experienced employees on matters in which they have very little experience. Once you get more experience, you'll be able to speak up more, but for now, focus on listening and getting the job done. Oh, and take notes regardless of whether or not you actually need to. Even if you can remember things without taking notes, bosses love it when they see you writing stuff down.

5. Be well groomed. Try to dress at the upper end of your company's typical dress code. For example, if some people wear jeans and some where khakis, where khakis. Or if some wear dress shirts and ties and others just wear button down shirts, wear a dress shirt and tie. Once again, when you get more experience, you'll be able to relax this a bit.

7. Take responsibility for your mistakes. Enough said, and the single most important item on this list.

I'd add two more:

1. Try to become friends with your coworkers. Nobody likes that guy who sits at his desk for eight hours never talking to anyone who hates associating with his coworkers outside of work. Plus its a lot more rewarding and fun to be working with friends rather than random people you don't really know.

2. Don't overdo the sick days. That doesn't mean you shouldn't use a sick day if you need to but don't be that person who takes a sick day once every two weeks because they had a slight headache or had trouble sleeping last night. Plus too many sick days without a doctor's excuse can get you in trouble at nearly every workplace.

[3. J. said the following at 4:21 PM on Aug 29:]

3

Thanks for the reminders. But after a couple of years in the professional work force, I've observed that there may not be "dumb" questions, but there are lots of "lazy" questions. Asking questions is great, but try to do as much legwork on your own before approaching someone else with a question. This helps the learning process as well...

[4. Mike Theemling said the following at 6:57 PM on Aug 29:]

4

I theorize that another big reason is that the concept of "lifetime employment" no longer exists in this country (except perhaps in civilan government).

That implies that the junior working under you may very well replace you in the near future, whether he/she has that in mind or not. So why would someone risk digging their own grave by mentoring someone who could one day replace them?

[5. Leah said the following at 5:22 AM on Aug 30:]

5

" But they do expect someone whose willing"

Should read "someone who's willing"

ie. It is a contraction for "who is" ergo it's written "who's" :P

I know, I know, I'm pedantic, and I love it ;P

*cough*GRAMMAR NAZI*cough*

That said, I agree with all of these points. I've never actually had a job at all even as a teenager (simply because I would get paid to do work around the house and quite simply a) didn't need extra money and b) I knew most jobs would require me to work Friday nights and Sundays which I wasn't willing to give up, Fridays for youth group and Sunday is a given). But I've done volunteer work and quite simply, just out of common sense I know these to be true.

I might however counter the recommendation to ask "lots" of questions. Yes, questions are good. But not lots. I've had to supervise people for various reasons and lots of questions can be a downright pain. Sometimes you just want to say "use your brain" or "Look it up yourself" or something. Like J said, if you can figure it out yourself, do so. Lazy questions can irritate people.

[6. babaloo said the following at 11:53 AM on Aug 11:]

6

also you WEAR a shirt....not WHERE a shirt.... spelling is important no matter WHAT your job is....altho I AM the "typo queen"