Employability 101: 14 'Job Saving' Tips for the newly employed Fresh Grad

Oyinkansola, a Smart Fresh Grad. Now a Social Media Strategist & Blogger.

This one is for the Fresh Grad. Whether newly employed or still looking.

Welcome to the world of work. Well I do have some work experience, so I feel I should give you some helpful insight into the field of work.

Here’s to the clueless Fresh Grad…

Know Your Computer

First of all, if you don’t know how to make proper use of the computer, you need to learn ASAP.  I’m not talking about the “I can use it for facebook and twitter” stuff.  I mean using it for more meaningful purposes and getting results with it. You need to know how to use basic programs required for work especially the office suite (like power point, Ms Access, Ms Visio, Ms Word). You might still need to go to a computer school or ask a friend to help you. Or better still get a computer and find help online.

Be Smart. 

Think – Do use your head, please.  Be creative. Be thoughtful.  

Be Educated.  

Some people went to school but are not educated. They just passed through school.  All they probably did was read to pass or paid to be passed. Well, welcome to the real world. If you really want to go far in your career or be relevant, you need to get ‘education’. You need to prove the knowledge you claim to have just acquired from school.   One of the reasons we go to school is so that we use the knowledge we’ve acquired to solve problems when we are done. So, if you are employed and not solving any problems, it’s really going to be a sorry case.

Say ‘Hello’ to Start Ups.  

Relax a bit on that dream of working in a multinational. How long will you wait to get this ‘dream’ job of yours?  The beauty of working in a startup company is that you get experience- firsthand experience. You can be like a local champion at least for a few years. You get to do the work/job of 3-5persons, which is good for you.  It is good because you’ll acquire skill and experience which are both good for your CV. Look on the brighter side.

Be Ready To Give.

Go the extra mile

Don’t just do what you are assigned to do. Go the extra mile to deliver. Wow your boss. Show you are competent. Shut off that idea of ‘I don’t own the company so I will not kill myself”’. No one is saying ‘kill yourself’ but do your job and do it well.

Be Teachable.

Show that you are ready to learn new things that will help you be more effective on the job. If you show enthusiasm in learning, you will be taken seriously and considered for better opportunities (especially) within the organization

Bring Something to the Table.

Don’t just be the average salary worker/earner. Be relevant.

Be Relevant.

Like if you have a special skill, use your skill for the benefit of the organization. Use it in doing better on the job. For example if you can do graphics design, say you can use Corel draw, you can volunteer to help with the company graphic work.  For example, if you have a good speaking ability or the ability to create and develop ideas, use it.

Add these skills in your CV and when employed use it for the benefit of the company. 1. You’ll get better at it and 2. It will give you an edge.

Be Loyal to Your Boss.

Loyalty is key in the work place.   Most bosses can easily detect disloyalty. I don’t know how they do this.

Honesty

Make sure you are honest in all your dealings. For example, if you have access to company finance, don’t spend company money unwisely or use to sponsor your personal project. Don’t land yourself in trouble.  Keep a clean slate.

Don’t Expect Hand Me Downs from your employer.

You will get disappointed when you don’t get them and this could affect your work without you knowing it.  Your employer is not obligated to give you money or extra cash that’s not related to your salary. What your boss owe you is your salary and other allowances that come with the job. The truth is your company is not a charity organization but a business entity.  They are out to make money and more money.  If your boss is generous, fine. But do not gravely expect him or her to keep tossing free cash at you.

Don’t Lose Sight of Your Vision or Purpose

Never forget or abandon your own dream. Well, if you do have one.

You could build your career in a way that all work experiences you are getting is in line with where you want to be in the next few years.  And that’s building a career. Always keep your dream in mind and at heart. It will keep you going even in the toughest of times.

Do Like Unto God…

In everything you do on your job, do know that God is watching you. Always remember that what you sow, you would reap. You do hope to be at the top one day, don’t you?  Sometimes, you might encounter some cruel colleagues or boss, but as long as they are not in the way of your job, do what you are employed to do.

Do Not Sit On Oga’s Chair

Some Ogas are very particular about their chairs o. Don’t forget yourself and sit on Oga’s chair. Hian!  Sitting on Oga’s chair could mean a lot to Oga. If you covet Ogas chair, wait till you be your own oga or get a nice ‘oga chair’ and sit on it IN YOUR HOUSE.  I have sat on Oga’s chair before, but only when Oga is not around or when no one else was there. My dear, if you do it when others are there, someone who doesn’t like you might snitch on you. Now, that’s not good news for Oga, is it?

Again, your company is not a charity organization but a business entity.  They are out to make money and more money.   All they expect from you are results and not excuses or stories about how something didn’t work.

People are attracted to results. People reward results.  If you can produce results, and can produce it on time, you will be considered relevant and worthy of the job.