Tips for your first job after college
Shifting from college mindset to a corporate one
A first job after college is a big deal. It’s the shift into a next life stage. I remember my first few days and the learnings vividly. While it is a discovery of your own, I have put down some points after reflecting on my own journey of working for 4 years at PwC (US Advisory).
Mental Preparation:
- Asking for what you want
Nobody gives anything just because I deserve it. I have to ask actively. Things like another project, a different type of work, travel opportunities and even promotion. Almost always, people will listen to them and try to help. They want to keep employees happy and productive.
2. Importance of one-to-one calls
One-to-one calls can be used to discuss things in point 1. These calls with the directors and senior managers can be quite often (twice a month for internships). With partners, maybe once a month or every quarter.
Possible readings before starting in the role:
- Outside view of Company
While working from within, we often get siloed in our particular role or sector. If you read the website well and understand what different teams and geographies are working on, you can use that information to pitch in ideas during the internship. Because of that siloed vision of regular employees, an intern can bring a unique perspective to such discussions.
2. Corporate Hierarchy
Apart from the career progression ladder, there are many other support teams. A good relationship with them can make the life much easier. — Knowing the IT team contacts and processes. They can help you with software installations and crucial tasks when you would not want to waste any time from the actual work. — Knowing the HR team contacts. They can make the administrative work much easier like ensuring all documents are updated.
3. Finance
An understanding of taxes and insurance helps a lot. It helps structure the compensation as per your needs. Things like life insurance, medical insurance, compensation components apart from basic pay.
4. Whitepapers and conferences
Getting a whitepaper published on the Company website is a big achievement and gives a lot of visibility. It also helps the partner/director you are working with as their name goes on it too. So they would be more than interested to give extra time to you to work with you. You do the writing, brainstorming and they can help proof-read and add credibility to it. So preparing some ideas around this before joining can be great standout. Similarly conferences. The firm would sponsor your entire expenses if you make a good case for it to senior manager/directors.
Hard skills:
This depends on the exact role but few basics that are used quite often.
- Calendar management
Instead of asking people about time, you have access to everyone’s calendar public view. So, you can block their time first and then ask them if this time works. For example putting placeholders.
2. E-mail
Not thinking too much for e-mail language and not making it too formal. Polite, to-the-point and e-mails with clear ask are better. Adding directors/partners to emails in cc is considered as escalation.
3. Note-taking
For calls, taking notes and sharing with the call members afterwards can be helpful. Also, the number of work and non-work links will grow to tens or hundreds, so managing them and keeping a handy note is better. Maybe MS Onenote, Google Doc or anything that works for you.
4. Using internal services for company search, tools, accelerators etc.
This would be covered in your onboarding for sure. There is a plethora of options. Even I haven’t managed to try them all till date.
Special Tip for Interns:
I think the best thing you can work on before joining is preparing around things that help you convert the internship to FTO (Full-Time Offer). 2–3 months is not enough time to work on something end-to-end. It might be a business development proposal or an part of a feature on existing work streams that you are assigned to. So, managing expectations around it and then doing a few things to stand out can help. Whitepapers, patent applications, BD proposals are things that directors and partners really value. As it helps them in selling themselves internally and externally. I think that is all. Sit back and enjoy! It will be a great experience.
