Congratulations graduate! You’ve waited years for this moment and it has finally arrived. No more burning the midnight oil to cram for exams, no more worrying about your G.P.A., no more teachers telling you what to do, no more curfews from parents, no more ….? (you fill in the blank - I’m sure that you have a list) and us parents better recognize that you are now an ADULT (jokes) and you make your own rules. Whatever! Eye-winker was here before beard and since you’re “all grown up” us parents hope that you can do one thing - support yourself with a JOB! But here is the problem – Finding a job, is a job because companies don’t like to hire recent grads! They complain that you are not ready; that you lack the right attitude, skills, work ethics and that you possess very little if any knowledge of what is expected of you in the workplace.
The sad reality is while graduating from high school/earning a degree is an accomplishment of which you can be proud, in the real world your grade point average nor your degree can guarantee your success!
If you really want to be successful in your transition from the classroom to the workplace here are some tips for your consideration:
Image Matters: Unlike during your high school or college years when you were naïve enough to think that your image didn’t matter, in the Real World it really does matters what other people think about you. Your image has the power to open doors of opportunity or have these same doors closed in your face. Dress for the level of success that you want.
You can’t survive on Average. During your school years you may have been content to earn a “C” on your report card/transcript. In the real world you will have to kiss average goodbye and say hello to exceptional if you want to make it to the top. Like you say in your world “If you gat game, you need to bring it!”.
Demonstrate a positive attitude
Maintain good work relationships and learn how to get along with others:
Possess the following soft skills:
Show integrity
Display good oral and written communication skills
Build A strong Personal Brand
Invest your money wisely. Just because you are making money doesn’t mean you have to waste it. Do you really need that “fresh” new car with the spinning rims? Of course not! My friend “if your yearnings cost more than your earnings” you are headed for trouble. Stay out of debt, spend less and save more.
Protect you reputation at all cost because you will have to live with it for the rest of your life. Remember your reputation is not only formed by your deeds and actions, but also by the company you keep, so choose your friends wisely.
More than anything don’t you ever give up on your dreams! Yes there will be challenges and obstacles, but stay focused. Yes people will try to discourage you or question your motives, but stay focused. Use the fuel of discouragement to drive your dream to the next level and without fear or apology live the life you’ve always imagined.
