Compiled By

E.SA.Agilantam

Executive Vice-President

Need Foundation
 STARTING YOUR CAREER
Introduction:

Fresh out of college. Loads of dreams. A whole few world to be

explored. And you are just waiting to put all those fat books

you have spent the last few years reading into practice. To

make all those castles in the air real. With your very first job

What does it feel like to grab that dream job? Like every other

first experience, the first job occupies a permanent slot in the

memory bank. It lies with each individual to make memories

as sweet as honey. Even if this doesn’t quite turn out to be the

dream job you were hoping for-lesson1: the first reality one

has to accept when stepping into the big, bad world. But this

is the first stepping stone. It is quite possible for a fresher to

get lost in the vast corporate world.

Let me share a few invaluable pearls that I have collected over

the last decade. They are useful to anyone starting a career in

any organization-not just in the corporate world.

1. Attitude:

This is what sets an individual apart from the rest. Your

attitude should be a building block for your career, not

something that demolishes. It is critical to develop into a

wholesome individual. Success comes relatively easier to

people with positive attitude. It helps increase productivity,

efficiency, build better interpersonal relationships. Never let a

negative attitude creep in-your need in constantly,

consistently nurture your attitude.

2. Willingness to learn:

You must realize that the source of wisdom is universal. I

personally learnt quite a hit from the people around me-not

just from my senior colleagues but also from the non-

managerial staff like the office assistants and bearers. After all

they have been working a lot longer than you have!

The learning process has no end, no barriers-the curve should

only grow higher and higher

3. Accountability:

A very important feature every fresher needs to adopt-and

demonstrate every step of the way. You must be accountable

for every action-whether it is a success or a failure.

Accountability flows from the sense of’ ownership’ you have for

what you do. You must be responsible enough to fulfill the

task given to you.

4. Systems:

They form the backbone of every organization. During my stint

as a trainee, I realized how important and useful it was to

understand and follow the systems prevailing in the

organization. These systems are tried and tested-which is why

they still exist. Systems are meant to help one perform better. I

not only have respected systems but have followed them

rigorously and benefited enormously.

5. Feedback

Accept feedback of any kind.

Especially criticism.

Have an objective approach and feedback regularly from your

seniors. Do not be defensive.

Be very open

If your seniors have a wrong perception-clarify it. If they are

right in their criticism-use it to work on improving yourself.

Self Image

It is important to consciously build an image for yourself, just

as we define positioning for products and create a brand

image, we should define our own positioning and work on our

image. How do you wish to be perceived by your peers,

seniors, clients etc?

If you neglect this aspect-you could run the risk of being

someone you never intended to be in the mind of others.

6. Initiative:

Never wait for opportunities to knock-on your door or work to

fall into your lap. You must keep your eyes wide open and

your antennae active. And when opportunity does knock, grab

it and don’t let it go! One often hears-‘But you did not tell that

I have to do this’. Don’t expect your seniors to write

everything, step by step on a slate! You must take the

initiative to go up to your seniors to ask for work or guidance,

if you really want to climb up the ladder of success. Every

worthwhile senior loves to work with people who demonstrate

proactivness.

Reliability: You must be indispensable. Your objective should

be to make immediate senior redundant.

7. Enthusiasm:

This is like salt in a curry. Just imagine how that curry would

taste without it.