Transitioning into the World of Work
The change from studying to working is massive. It can feel like a culture shock going from the classroom to the office. Whether you have just finished university or college or have left school ready to find a job, the world of work can seem scary.
As someone who has only studied for the majority of her life, I can tell you that starting my placement was a huge change to my lifestyle. Apart from part time jobs in cafés and restaurants, I have never worked in a full-time role. When I started, I was anxious about joining a team that had already worked together and had strong relationships, especially seeing as I was joining remotely. I didn’t know how I was going to have to dress or even how to formally accept a job offer. All these things are new, and you aren’t taught at school how to read a contract.
In this blog, I outline the three stages of transitioning into the world of work: managing job offers, making a good first impression and workplace etiquette. For each stage, I give my top tips to approaching it. I also look at working remotely, which is now common for a lot of people entering the world of work.
This is my final blog of the series based on SRS’s Employability Webinars. I wanted to base the blog on the transition into the world of work as it reflects my placement journey and everything I have learnt over the past 6 months. The SRS webinar, ‘The Transition into The World of Work’, goes into more detail about the topic and has some really useful advice and guidance on entering the workplace, so make sure to give it a watch.
Stage 1: Job Offers
After the long and competitive job search, you finally have some offers…
Getting job offers is super exciting, so you make sure you give yourself that well-deserved pat on the back. However, it is easy to get carried away and even overwhelmed when you have those offers in front of you. When it comes to managing offers, ensure you take your time reading through them, expressing your interest and thanks to the employer, and giving them a professional and timely response to the offer. Understanding your offer is important to know what will be expected of you if you accept. Getting back to the employer in a suitable time frame will demonstrate your eagerness for the role. Taking the time to really think about the offer is essential, as you may have multiple other offers you will have to turn down, or even life changes you must consider.
To help you remember what to think about when considering your offers, I have written some key things to remember below.
Accepting offers
Make certain you understand the job role you are being offered
Note where and when you will be working, and how much for
Find out where and when your performance will be reviewed and get an understanding of the company culture
Multiple offers
Outline the differences of each job/organisation to ensure you understand each one
Try to put them into an order of preference to help you figure out your priorities
Compare each of the offers, from pay, to benefits, to job role, etc.
Declining offers
Ensure you contact the organisation straight away so they can fill the position with someone else
Leave a positive impression – it’s a small world and you may run into the organisation again
Be polite and professional
Stage 2: Good Impressions
So, you’ve accepted a job offer and your start date is quickly approaching…
Making a good first impression is vital to not only pass your probation period, but also ensure you’ll have a positive working environment. Below I have outlined some things to take on board before starting your new job, to build strong relationships with your new boss and colleagues.
Research!
Make sure you do any required reading before your start date to show your keenness for the role. Ensure you understand your new job role and industry by seeking out any industry publications to develop your knowledge. It is also important to note who the main competitors of your organisation are, then you can be aware of what they are doing in order to help your company to stand out and differ.
As the old saying goes: if you’re early, you’re on time
It is better to be a little early on your first day to show your eagerness and time management skills. To make sure you arrive on time, sort out your travel arrangements and ensure you leave enough time to get to work. If you are working remotely, ensure you trial your tech equipment and platforms used for the role prior to the first day (just to avoid any teething issues).
Dress appropriately
Each company has their own dress code, so make sure you know what yours is and stick to it. Typically, organisations stick to either business professional, which is attire such as suits and ties; smart casual, which involves smart shirts and trousers; or comfy casual, which is t-shirt and jeans.
Positivity is key.
When starting a new job, it’s important to show enthusiasm by asking questions and displaying interest in the business. Show your employer that they made the right choice in hiring you. By being positive, you can ensure a glowing future reference and give yourself the opportunity to meet new people and network.
Stay organised
Showing your employer that you’re organised will prove you are productive and efficient. Take notes in any meetings or induction programmes you attend. This will ensure you remember all the important information and demonstrate to your employer that you are engaged.
Stage 3: Workplace Etiquette
Now you are about to start your new dream job…
Knowing how to behave in the workplace is vital when entering the world of work. Every organisation is different; each have their own policies, procedures, and rules. Therefore, understanding the company’s culture is important. To do this, read the company handbook or view their social media profiles to get insight into what they are like. If you can, try to observe the relationships and interactions between others within the organisation to see what behaviour is acceptable and what isn’t. When you start working, whether that is online or in-person, you should always be curious. Asking lots of questions when you first start is a green flag to employers, as this demonstrates your eagerness to learn.
Below are my top four tips on how to behave in the workplace. Make a note of these before starting your new job.
Remote Working
In these crazy and unpredictable times, for many people working from home is the new normal.
On my placement with SRS, I work remotely. Starting this placement role was my first experience of a proper job as a student. The transition from being a student, where I would wake up at 12pm (sometimes!) and eat pot noodle every day, to becoming a working woman on my placement where I have routine and structure, was hard at first. One of the things I was most nervous about when starting this placement journey was the difference in lifestyle. Especially when that difference would be working from home while living with seven other students. Yet, I find myself two thirds of the way through and I am happier, healthier, and more successful than ever. Working from home can have its positives and negatives, so I wanted to share some of my top tips for getting ready to start a job role where you will be working remotely.
Set a dedicated working area
Don’t think that remote working means you can work from the comfort of your bed. Making sure you separate your chill area from your working area is key in keeping up productivity at home. Especially if you are living in shared accommodation, it is important to find a space that is quiet and appropriate. Separating your spaces will also help with your headspace when you are working and living in the same environment. As our minds associate areas with certain activities, it’s important to keep business and pleasure separate.
Top Tip 1: Make sure the space you work in has a neutral background- with no dirty laundry in sight- so you still come across as professional if you take any video calls.
Get into a routine
Similar to organising your space, routine will help you to stay productive when you are working remotely. Making sure you get outside for a walk, go to the shops, or have a run is important in breaking up your day and allowing yourself to have a rest. Set up dedicated breaks to keep yourself motivated and to make the most of the working day.
Top Tip 2: Maybe speak to your colleagues about their break times and align them, so you can have a chat on the phone while you go for a walk at lunch or have a video chat about what you’re having for lunch. This will help simulate the office environment and will sync the whole teams’ routines to make them more effective.
Be honest and manage expectations
Remember to always be honest with your employer. If you’re starting to feel like the workload is becoming too much and you’re working in your room from 7am to 7pm, you need to have a conversation with your line manager. Always remain polite and professional, making sure you get your point across in a confident and clear way. By building relationships with your colleagues and managers, you can understand their expectations, and help set your own.
Top Tip 3: Try to have some form of communication with your team. For example, having a work group chat or scheduled Zoom meetings. If something like this isn’t already in place, then try to suggest it. Communication is key for people working from home as it keeps up the morale and helps build those effective working relationships, where you can help each other with workloads.
A Day in the Life Video created by me to show you my average working day
I hope you've enjoyed reading my final blog and are ready to transition into the world of work. I’ve loved writing this blog series and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
You haven’t seen the last of me, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter to see what else I get up to on my placement with SRS.