Whether you are transitioning from university studies to corporate or a hands-on job to an office job, the corporate space can take a lot of time to get used to. Setting the tone from your first day and making a positive first impression is crucial for your long-term success. A bad start can slow down your career and while it is easily fixable it just adds unnecessary hurdles in your way on top of the looming challenge of a corporate role.

I went from working a telecommunications trade job while studying engineering into a full-time corporate role in the construction industry. And let me tell you, I thought I was ready, but I had a lot to learn. For sure it will be difficult to provide a one size fits all blueprint for your jump into corporate. Ultimately this is due to many factors that may not be relevant across different environments, that is considering different industries, company sizes, people, and places. But you may find that some of these tips could serve as food for thought, and either spark some inspiration or ideas, or compliment your outlook with extra perspectives.

If I could go back a couple years and have a chat to my younger, non-corporate self, these are the 5 things I would tell him to ease his journey.

1. Focus on Building Relationships

I cannot stress it enough, not all your current coworkers will be your long-term team, but make sure you shake everyone’s hand, remember their name, and engage in a bit of small talk. Try to dedicate your first week on the job to roaming around the office and getting to know everyone, even from departments other than yours. This will instill your presence in your workplace and create an aura of familiarity around yourself in the workplace. Breaking the ice like this will make it easier for you to fit in and will make it easier when you must begin dealing with different sectors of your workplace on different projects. Not to mention, growing your network will open doors for you in the future.

2. Arrive Early and Be Organized

Please for your sake, do your research on your industry. Assuming you are entering your first corporate role or the first role in a particular industry, try to gain as much background information as possible in that niche so that you can pick up conversations quicker. This will speed up your performance if growth in your industry is your goal, it will make you look more prepared and will condition you into the correct headspace. It will also spark others’ interest in your conversations. One major thing that I struggled with when I started corporate is taking punctuality lightly. In trade I had jobs scattered around the city and because I became really skilled, an 8am start for me really was more 8:30 or 8:15. Do not make that same mistake in the office, corporate nowadays is more relaxed than the past, but lateness regardless of your performance will make others see you differently. The stereotype of the late arriver is hard to break out of, leaving early is much easier to manage, especially if you are arriving early and starting the day efficiently without rushing.

3. Set Realistic Expectations

Goal setting is key to a successful day, and a successful career. Start your morning by setting goals, and even set goals before you leave the office in your diary for the next day. Organization is a skill that you should master, especially if you have side hustles and hobbies outside your corporate job. It helps you manage your day, prioritize actions, and saves you time and stress. And more importantly, at the start of a month or year, set realistic expectations. Don’t try to jump the gun, be ambitious but make sure your expectations are achievable and will not overwhelm you. For example, if you want to be a senior engineer and you’re a junior engineer right now, do not expect that seniority to come by the end of your first year of work. Work hard, work smart, but make sure your expectations are ambitious but realistic. If the average road to become a senior engineer is 5 years, then grind and make it 2 or 3 years, but make sure you’re true to yourself because you know yourself more than anyone.

4. Practice Active Listening

Diligently listen to everything, especially during your onboarding and early weeks of work. Remember names and terms, and never think any question is a stupid question. If you are getting shut down for asking questions that is a red flag and very rare depending on where you work. Never be ashamed to ask what something means or how a concept works. It shows you are engaged and could create conversations that benefit you and others and can be helpful in the future. Have positive body language when talking to others and seek opportunities to learn. If you represent yourself as a student every where you go, it will propel you forward faster than others.

5. Focus on your Strengths

You have obviously come into the corporate space with lots to offer, leverage your strengths and celebrate small wins. Do not be intimidated by everyone else who has more skin in the game or makes more money than you. I made that mistake when I first started, I was frustrated by my progress and wanted to blast through. Be patient, your first few weeks or months should be about learning and gaining experience, especially when you are starting out. After that period of a few months is when you can start demanding more responsibilities or earning your stripes, and everything else such as money and elevation will follow as a result.

Ultimately, these are the 5 things I wish I could tell my corporate newbie self before I started out. I will end by saying it is not easy to join any industry as a junior, especially engineering and construction, but you can do it. But please keep in mind that work is work, and your life is your life. Use this job to make money and gain knowledge and experience, but do not overwork yourself, and always prioritize family and yourself over anything. In my opinion, and I am not sure if this is an unpopular opinion but try keeping your personal life out of the workplace unless you need time off due to something serious that needs to be communicated. Do not go into your corporate role all excited and oversharing, these are your coworkers, and they must earn your trust and you will have to earn theirs. Be loyal to yourself, communicate well, be social and present and network constantly, but remember that you’re there to work and make money. You will make good friends throughout your career, but as you start out just be vigilant in how you operate and take your time.

All the Best.

H