Watch This Before Starting Your Corporate Career (what I wish I knew)

Summary

In this video, Emily shares invaluable career advice for those starting their first corporate job or transitioning to a new role. She highlights lessons learned from over seven years in the workforce, covering mentorship, office dynamics, and social interactions. Emily addresses common workplace challenges such as burnout, gossip, and work-life balance, while emphasizing the importance of building relationships, advocating for raises, and mastering basic technical skills like Excel. She encourages viewers to take lunch breaks, engage in after-work socials, and be confident in voicing opinions. This practical guide helps newcomers navigate the corporate world with confidence.

Takeaways

• 💡 Seek out the top performer in your new role and learn from them as a mentor, rather than relying only on assigned buddies or peers.
• 😔 Office gossip and cliques can be worse than in high school. Stay out of toxic conversations and always respond with kindness.
• 🍽️ Take your lunch breaks to avoid burnout and build relationships with coworkers. Socializing during lunch is key to team bonding.
• 💰 Be mindful of spending money on lunches and commuting costs, especially if you're on a starting salary.
• 👟 Wear comfortable shoes during your commute and change into work attire at the office to avoid ruining your nicer clothes.
• 🧺 Keep essential items like tampons, snacks, hand sanitizer, and tissues at your desk—you or someone nearby will always need them.
• 🚫 Avoid bringing strong-smelling foods like fish to the office for lunch, as it can be unpleasant for others.
• 🍻 Attend after-work social events to build strong relationships with your colleagues, as many promotions and opportunities come from networking.
• 💼 Don't drink the company Kool-Aid. Every company will try to sell you on their unique culture, but always advocate for yourself, especially when negotiating raises.
• 📊 Invest in learning basic technical skills like Excel and PowerPoint early on, as they are crucial in many entry-level roles.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to provide advice and tips for people starting their first corporate job or changing positions, based on lessons the speaker, Emily, learned the hard way in her seven years of work experience.

What is Emily's first piece of advice for someone starting a new job?

Emily advises that on your first day, you should identify the top performer in your role and make it your mission to learn from them, either by shadowing them or setting up formal mentoring conversations.

How does Emily suggest handling gossip in the workplace?

Emily suggests that if you're caught in a gossipy or catty work environment, you should counter negative gossip with positive comments and avoid aligning yourself with people who spread negativity.

What lesson did Emily learn about taking lunch breaks in her early career?

Emily learned the hard way that skipping lunch breaks to appear hardworking can lead to burnout and missed opportunities for social connections with colleagues. She encourages taking lunch breaks to build relationships and avoid burnout.

What are some items Emily recommends keeping at your desk?

Emily recommends keeping essentials like tampons or feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, floss, mouthwash, eyeglass cleaner, protein bars, and tissues at your desk for personal use or to help out coworkers.

What is Emily's advice regarding company culture and career longevity?

Emily advises not to 'drink the company's Kool-Aid,' meaning don't get too attached to a company's promises of long-term career growth. She warns against staying too long at one company, especially if you’re underpaid, and stresses the importance of negotiating raises annually.

Why does Emily emphasize learning basic technical skills like Excel early in your career?

Emily emphasizes the importance of learning basic technical skills like Excel because many entry-level roles require data analysis and reporting. Being proficient in tools like Excel and PowerPoint can make your job easier and increase your productivity.

What is Emily’s take on mistakes at work?

Emily explains that making mistakes at work is normal and that everyone makes them, even if they don’t talk about it. She advises letting go of the pressure to be perfect, as it's part of the learning process.

What is Emily's strategy for getting promoted or recognized at work?

Emily’s strategy is to regularly share her achievements with her leadership team through emails. She believes that people are too focused on themselves to notice your accomplishments unless you actively communicate them.

What final tip does Emily give about office life and work relationships?

Emily advises that your coworkers are not necessarily your friends unless you socialize with them outside of work without talking about work. She also stresses the importance of after-work socials for building relationships and career opportunities.