Last words of advice for grads

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Editor’s Note: This is the final column in a series written by April Forristall about college seniors looking for jobs. She is a recent University of Maine graduate and former BDN intern.

Let the fresh start begin.

All of my hard work, research and stress has paid off.

I am no longer April Forristall, intern, but April Forristall, reporter.

I recently received a phone call that went like this: “April? Hi, this is Meagan. We’d like to offer you the job.”

If your job hunt also ended with these results, congrats – I leave you with words of wisdom from CollegeGrad.com.

In the first days at your job:

. Know what your company does. Be able to give a 30-second overview to anyone that asks.

. Personalize your work area, but not too much. Frame your degree and hang it up. Put a small picture on your desk.

For your daily routine:

. Rehearse what you need to accomplish that day during your morning commute.

. Always carry a notepad or organizer. Write down your thoughts and daily reminders.

. Be the first person to say hello in the morning.

. Never leave a half cup of coffee for the next person. Make a fresh pot.

. Eat lunch in. Just $5 per lunch adds up to $2,500 per year.

Work ethics:

. Draw a solid ethical line and never cross it. Ethics are not situational.

. Develop a reputation for honesty and integrity.

Interpersonal skills:

. Talk 20 percent and listen 80 percent. Avoid those who talk 100 percent.

. Take the opportunity to praise others who are worthy of it.

. When someone compliments you, don’t say “it was nothing.” Say “Thank you” with a smile. Nothing more, nothing less.

. Life isn’t fair. Work isn’t either. There will be some days when just getting through is the best you can do. Wait until tomorrow – things will clear up.

Office politics:

. Show respect for your boss. Don’t join in boss bashing.

. Don’t discuss your salary with co-workers. Your refusal will drive them crazy wondering why you make more than them.

. The work washroom is located at work. Don’t let your conversation change to match the surroundings.

Extracurricular:

. Limit yourself to one glass of beer or wine when dining out with co-workers or clients. Wait for someone else to order liquor first.

. Don’t drink at the company social activities – it’s more fun to watch others who drink.

. Listen to your home answering machine message from the perspective of your boss. Cutesy messages usually don’t sound cute when played over a speakerphone at the office.

Career progression:

. Know your boss’s boss. This person will recommend or authorize your promotion.

. Become known as the person who is the first in or last out.

. Develop a reputation as a problem-solver. Don’t pass problems to others.

If your job search has not yet ended, don’t give up. Keep following these eight rules from Richard Bolles’ “What Color Is Your Parachute?”

. Know your best and most fulfilling transferable skills.

. Know what kind of work you want to do and what field you would most enjoy working in.

. Talk to people who are doing the work you want to do. Find out how they like the work, and how they found their job.

. Do research in your chosen geographical area on organizations that interest you.

. Identify and seek out the person who actually has the power to hire you for the job you want.

. Show the person with the power to hire how you can help the company solve its problems and that you stand out.

. Don’t take rejection personally.

. In all this, take no shortcuts.

And remember, work is not your sole purpose. No one ever said on their death bed, “I wish I had spent more time at the office.”