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Build and leverage your relationships
Career Skill # 3 -- Build and leverage your relationships
The old adage "Who you know can be just as important as what you know" applies here. And, nowhere is this truer than in today's workplace where managers, colleagues and mentors (if you're lucky enough to attract one or two) often determine who gets noticed and promoted, who finds a new job, and who thrives in the new organisation.
Take charge of your career by becoming a partner with your manager. That means that you will be working to gain your manager's respect and trust in your competence. Enlist your manager's full support for your projects.
As we covered earlier, know what's important to your manager. Be open to constructive criticism because it has a constructive impact. Your manager is the person with the power to open doors for you, help accelerate your learning and development and support you in achieving your goals.
Strive for harmonious working relationships. Workplace conflict can have constructive or destructive consequences on an individual's performance, the team's performance, and the organisation as a whole.
This conflict is often the result of clashes in vision, priorities, values and personal loyalties. Anticipate and sidestep the pitfalls that could impede your progress.
Once you are on solid ground with your team and manager, look
around and see which bridges you need to build so that you are
connected with the right people in the organisation (those who can make
things happen for you).
Some of these relationships may last over the span of your career. Nurture them and value them for what you can get as well as give to them.
A final word
A smooth transition from college to the work world is possible if you have the proper mental attitude, make smart moves early in your career and establish ties to your community.
To put things in proper perspective, by all means recognise the seriousness of starting your first full-time job, but don't be mentally overburdened by trying to match the success of co-workers or other professional colleagues.
However, as long you stay at your first job, do your best and accomplish as much as you can. Bear in mind, though, that your career is more than a single job. During your career you will most likely work with many companies in various positions. Some will be more fulfilling and challenging than others.
The success you achieve will result from the discipline, dedication and determination that you develop as a young professional. These attributes will uniquely shape your character and promote your success throughout your lifetime. For now, study hard and work diligently but enjoy life to the fullest.
The old adage "Who you know can be just as important as what you know" applies here. And, nowhere is this truer than in today's workplace where managers, colleagues and mentors (if you're lucky enough to attract one or two) often determine who gets noticed and promoted, who finds a new job, and who thrives in the new organisation.
Take charge of your career by becoming a partner with your manager. That means that you will be working to gain your manager's respect and trust in your competence. Enlist your manager's full support for your projects.
As we covered earlier, know what's important to your manager. Be open to constructive criticism because it has a constructive impact. Your manager is the person with the power to open doors for you, help accelerate your learning and development and support you in achieving your goals.
Strive for harmonious working relationships. Workplace conflict can have constructive or destructive consequences on an individual's performance, the team's performance, and the organisation as a whole.
This conflict is often the result of clashes in vision, priorities, values and personal loyalties. Anticipate and sidestep the pitfalls that could impede your progress.
Some of these relationships may last over the span of your career. Nurture them and value them for what you can get as well as give to them.
A final word
A smooth transition from college to the work world is possible if you have the proper mental attitude, make smart moves early in your career and establish ties to your community.
To put things in proper perspective, by all means recognise the seriousness of starting your first full-time job, but don't be mentally overburdened by trying to match the success of co-workers or other professional colleagues.
However, as long you stay at your first job, do your best and accomplish as much as you can. Bear in mind, though, that your career is more than a single job. During your career you will most likely work with many companies in various positions. Some will be more fulfilling and challenging than others.
The success you achieve will result from the discipline, dedication and determination that you develop as a young professional. These attributes will uniquely shape your character and promote your success throughout your lifetime. For now, study hard and work diligently but enjoy life to the fullest.