“They do not teach corporate life in school or college”. What you do next when you get a job in a big company after your graduation. You think that the toughest part of your entry into the business world is over. You dump your extra résumés in a recycling bin and eagerly await your first salary. You look forward to business trips, stimulating office brainstorming sessions and hanging out with your co-workers every weekend. But then you realise it’s not happening cause you are still at an entry level position even after 18 months of working hard and late nights.
Three
years into the working world and your resume lists five positions in different
companies because you were always on the lookout for a better opportunity that
would bring the ever-elusive job satisfaction. Eventually, you consider joining
the large numbers of your friends who were leaving the corporate world in favour
of an MBA in a prestigious college. The idea of going back to college is
tempting, and why not? You’re comfortable with the concept of studying in a college.
You know how the story goes. If you work hard, you get good grades, and
everyone is happy. The business world is another world entirely. You have
worked so hard but have not been valued or recognized.
The
corporate world is a different Jungle which is full of animals and politically
motivated for kill in the name of ambition and success. Like in a jungle there
is a Lion and a deer. The Lion wakes up every morning with only one thought. To
run and Run faster than the deer or starve to death and the Deer also wakes up
with only one thought to run and run faster than the Lion or get killed. So it
does not matter if you are a Lion or a Deer, when the sun goes up you’d better
be running. The same applies here. It does not matter if you are a Boss or a subordinate,
every morning at work you need to not just outperform each other but maybe
outperform your own self to survive.
This
world is not a natural fit for ambitious graduates who leave college expecting
results from a logical combination of education and effort. Suddenly, the
tenets of success you’ve followed since your school days don’t apply, because
getting ahead in the corporate structure often has nothing to do with
intelligence or exceeding a set of defined expectations.
So
if you want to succeed in this, here are some tips to help you through this
game called corporate.
Establish profitable relationships:
You need to be visible in your field, network to gain information and make
connections that will help you move forward in your career. Seek out mentors whom
you like. There’s no shame in learning from mentor’s experience and who can
give you advice and be positive role models in your life, before you start to
burn out.
Master transferable skills:
You might not know exactly what you want
to do with your career, but the transferable skills will help you no matter
what future path you decide to pursue. Work with your boss to set specific,
reasonable and attainable goals for your present position that will help you
advance to the next level.
Get people to cooperate:
People don’t care what you want — they want to know what’s in it for them. By
approaching negotiations with an attitude that allows a win – win situation,
you’ll be more effective at eliciting cooperation and ultimately getting what
you want.
Develop a Marketable Personality:
Learn the art to promote yourself. Capitalize on your skills and achievements. Project
you’re most mature, professional and competent face.
Stay motivated in all circumstances: The
Corporate world can be frustrating at the start, but it’s your response to the environment
which matters. Make a conscious decision to begin each day with a positive outlook.
Aim at increasing your self-awareness so you can better understand your
emotional intelligence.
Be proactive about your career growth
Set the right goals: Chasing
that next promotion can seem like the best way forward, but that’s not always
the case. Focus more on your personal development and less on your job title.
Be patient with your career path. Success will come. Don’t waste time only
focusing on climbing the corporate ladder. Focus on learning all that you can
in each position, knowing that your credibility and experience will be more valued.
Learn to let go: Small
daily frustrations can get bigger and suddenly explode at the least expected
moment. Repressing emotions create physical issues, expressing them may get
relationship issues. Learn to release emotions in a healthier way with
visualizations so you can let go without destructive behaviours.
Be confident: Never
say to yourself that you’re not good enough to do something. Do not limit your
options and ruling out possibilities that could have otherwise been great
opportunities for you. No matter what, continue persevering and giving yourself
chances to succeed.
Spend more time with people than with
your laptop: The strongest relationship is formed in
person, not online. Soft skills are always more cherished in companies so it’s
important to drop your technology and actually communicate with people. People
hire you, not technology and you have to remember that!
Learn
what you can in your first job and give it your best while you are there. Find
jobs, projects and people that you can learn something from and put to use
practically. Don’t just take a job. Have a purpose behind doing so.
Manu Anand
Director Alpha Mindz
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