First day on the job-Are You Ready? 7 To Do's RIGHT NOW & 10 Tips

Last week I heard about one of my coworker's, Jim's, sons who is gearing up to start work at a summer internship. An HR professional for most of his work life, Jim asked his son if he had thought about his first day at work, which gave me the idea for this blog post. 

As I started work on this post, I did some research by asking the newer professionals in our office, Ali and Katie, about their first day on the job. Here are their suggestions.

Before the first day on the job, find out about:

Parking: Where to park, do you need a pass and if so how do you get one?

ID: Do you need an ID? Do you get it when arrive or should you get it before your first day?

Schedule: Is there a schedule for your first few days? If you haven't received one, ask ahead of time. Your supervisor may not have one ready for you, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Info: What documents or information do you need to fill out all those work forms? Social Security Card? Birth Certificate? I-20? Driver's License?

Hours: What time do you need to be at work? What are typical work hours?

Dress: Is there a dress code? If there isn't, still ask what level of dress is worn--business professional, business casual, smart casual?

Lunch: What is the lunch schedule?

10 First Job Tips from Ali and Katie

Don't be so nervous! Your co-workers and boss expect you to ask questions and are happy to answer them on your first day. 

How can you know everything your first day? Adjustment to a new job takes time and your work team knows this.

Figure out your lunch for the first day and beyond. Will you eat with others in a staff lounge? Will you go out to lunch regularly with co-workers? Eating out can get expensive.

As you meet with your boss, find out communication preferences. Text? Phone call? Email?

If your supervisor doesn't set up regular meetings, ask to have them. You need consistent feedback on how you're doing. Also find out your boss's pet peeves.

What is the policy relating to personal phone and social media use during work hours? 

What is the method and timing of performance reviews? How are goals set?

Get to know and be good to the support staff in your office. They know the office scoop and often control information and schedules.

If not set up, ask for a mentor so you will have a go-to person for the questions you will have.

Be sure you understand the policies for sick and vacation days, and who to notify if you will be out.

Give yourself a thumbs up! You're starting the next step of your career journey. And, thanks to Ali and Katie for sharing their advice! If you have questions as you start your position, send them our way.

HAPPY GRADUATION, HOKIES! Especially to fellow blogger, Ariel Cohen!

Was graduation the Best Day of Your Life?

Congratulations and best wishes on this next step of your journey as a Hokie! 

Still unsure about your next steps? Come see us in Career Services. We do phone appointments if you have left the area! Make an appointment by calling 540-231-6241.

LinkedIn Profile or a Personal Web Site: 10 Ways to Run the Table with LinkedIn

Over the weekend I was talking to my son, Preston, a Hokie who is into all things technological. He shared that he had read a recent article where hackers debated the benefits of being on LinkedIn: they supported having a personal website rather than a LinkedIn presence. A personal web site is a great tool to showcase your work as well as your skills in site development. But, in billards terms, you can "run the table" by having a profile on LinkedIn and using the site. Here are 10 ways:

Grow your online presence by getting involved in LinkedIn group discussions in a professional organization that relates to what you want to do.

Looking for a job or internship? Start a discussion in the official VT Alumni LinkedIn Group to see if an alumnus could assist you.

Members of LinkedIn groups can post jobs visible only to members. Search for jobs in the groups you join.

Want to live in Charlotte? Locate alumni in LinkedIn by location by accessing alums using the toolbar: NETWORK, Find alumni.

If you share group work you've done in Projects in your profile, you can link to the members of your team who also have LinkedIn Profiles.

Doing research on a new product for your boss? Start a discussion in your LinkedIn groups to get feedback from current users of the product. 

Interested in working for a particular employer? Follow the employer in LinkedIn.

Have an interview? In LinkedIn, search for alumni who work for that employer prior to your interview to get the inside scoop.

Making connections with alumni or others is easier than trying to search for contacts using other resources. The #1 way jobs are found is through personal contacts.

To win at one version of billiards, the 8 ball is hit in the pocket last, which is why this list is a bit out of order. A final plus for LinkedIn: everything is in one place for your job search: your profile reads like your resume, your summary includes information you would share in a cover letter and recommendations are shared from your references. Everything is all there for an employer to view. 

Organizations are using LinkedIn to look for candidates. Don't get "behind the 8 ball." Let an employer find YOU on LinkedIn! 

Need help getting started with LinkedIn? Visit this site. Come see us in Career Services for a critique of your profile or to get more tips on using LinkedIn. Call 540-231-6241 to make an appointment. 

Do you have a VT Bucket List? Try these before you graduate or leave for the summer!

There is so much to experience and enjoy while you are here at Virginia Tech, fitting everything in can be difficult. Having said that, Wetfeet.com, a huge career planning/job search site and editor of career-related books, published this Graduation Bucket List, which has some great tips to help you prepare for the big day you’ve been waiting for…entering the REAL WORLD or going on to graduate school. There is so much great advice in their list, like #10, learn how to tie a tie! 

The last time I taught our career class, I shared my Bucket List for VT, the Burgs and Beyond:

1. Eat at Mike’s Grill.

2. Go tubing on the New River.

3. Hike the Cascades.

4. Have a picnic at the Duck Pond.

5. Tour Smithfield Plantation.

6. Go to a wine tasting at Chateau Morrisette.

7. Spend an afternoon at Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

8. Drive up to Mountain Lake.

9. Have a meal at The Homeplace.

10. Go to at least one sports event a semester.

11. Attend at least one play, concert or other event that you would not normally go to.

12. Participate in at least one community service project while you are at Tech.

13. Study and/or travel abroad if you have the chance.

14. Get to know an international student.

On the last day of my class, I also usually hand out words of wisdom. Previously I had used Max Ehrman's The Desiderata of Happiness which I first read when I was a senior in high school, years ago.Other times I used Bill Gates’ Rules, but I decided I’ve been around about as long as Mr. Gates now, and have my own advice to share, so here are my words of advice:

Get out of your comfort zone—that’s where you really learn.

Don’t be shy. You miss out on lots of opportunities if you are.

Ask. The worst answer you will get is NO!

Speak up. Your idea might be one no one else has thought of.

Look for the good in everyone you meet. Sometimes it’s harder to find, but it’s there.

Say thank you! So few people do. You often will make someone’s day if you take the time to say or write a word of thanks to someone. And, thank whoever helped get you to here.

Don’t make someone look bad or say they are wrong in front of others—it makes you look bad as well as her/him.

When doors are closed, there usually really is a window still open. Sometimes you just have to find it. Times of adversity are where you grow and find out who you really are.

Stay in touch with your friends and family. The best gift you can give someone is time that you spend with him/her.

Give back. It will make you feel better AND help the world.

Always dance. Don’t take yourself so seriously.

"Happy Trails to you until we meet again," and come see us in Career Services if you need our help along your trail.