In elementary, middle, high school and college, there are a lot of useful things that you will take with you in your career and in life in general. But, you ultimately have to take ownership of your own career goals. As a new (ish) PR/marketing professional, here are seven critical things I have learned outside the classroom.
1. Don’t try to hide mistakes and shortcomings
As a new professional, it may be tempting to try and cover any mistakes. But, it usually works better if you come clean and learn from it. Most people don’t expect you to be perfect and mistake-free. They do expect you to learn from mistakes and not make the same one twice.
2. Pick your battles wisely
This should seem obvious. But, it’s so important to remain level-headed and rational. If you fight for every little thing, you will either a.) annoy your boss and coworkers b.) kill your chance to work on bigger better projects, and possibly future raises c.) both.
3. Embrace criticism and then learn from it.
This isn’t college anymore. People don’t write detailed feedback every time you finish a project. Consider, yourself lucky if you have coworkers that are willing to give you constructive criticism. You don’t have to always agree with everything they say, but you must be receptive, grateful and willing to learn from it.
4. It’s okay to take “me time.” Don’t try to be the “office martyr!”
So many times, new professionals, myself include, think you have to be the first one in the office and the last one to leave everyday. While that’s an admirable goal to strive for, it’s not necessarily the smartest. That’s because most bosses could care less about how late you stay, instead they just want to see the great work that you produce in a timely manner.
5. Be indispensable – but don’t horde info or skills. Part of being indispensable is willingness to help others in the office. –@MLBee
This is a great point. Every office needs a handful of indispensable employees, or linchpins. Make yourself one of them.
6. “That’s not really my job.” —@michaelbittner
These are five words that can instantly kill your career. I don’t care what your “job description” is. Everyone is expected to pitch in and do things outside their traditional responsibilities from time to time. Don’t complain about them. Be a team player and just get it done.
7. “Under promise and over deliver” –@LeslyCardec
This might be one of the hardest and most important lessons to master as a new professional. On the one hand, you don’t want to sell yourself short. But, you also want to constantly exceed your boss’s expectations. It can be a tough road to master.
What are some lessons that you learned as a new professional? Please share them in the comment section below.
