101 Tips for Graduates: A Code of Conduct for Success and Happiness in Your Professional Life

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

Work Skills

Find a Job and Achieve Career Success

1 It's no longer about the grades you make; it's whether or not you make the grade 1

2 Your first job is finding a job 6

3 Add a dose of realism to your optimism; know the realities of a job search 8

4 Practice makes perfect; rehearse before you interview 12

5 Get in the driver's seat 16

6 Your resume will not get you hired 17

7 Maximize your job search and your time online 20

8 Go to work every day as if it were the first day of your job 24

9 If you are looking, but not finding a job, consider other options 26

10 There's nothing more disruptive than being interrupted 30

11 Your employer is watching you 33

12 You are a product; market yourself 36

13 You're never too old for an internship 39

14 Do it now, not later; don't become a procrastinator 42

15 Make yourself memorable 44

16 There is life after a layoff 47

Communication Skills

Communicate Effectively Through Your Image, Listening, Speaking, and Writing

17 Your image speaks volumes about you 51

18 Turn off your cell phone 53

19 Give yourself a voice over 56

20 Manage your image on the Internet 60

21 Watch your tone when you're on the phone 62

22 Apologize; you can't always be right 66

23 Proofread every document 68

24 Emailmatters@work; don't leave a trail of bad e-mail 70

25 Say what you mean and mean what you say 74

26 Power up your presentation skills 76

27 Please and thank you are powerful words 78

28 Expand your vocabulary 79

29 Master the art of Small Talk 81

30 Act confidently—even when you're not; pay attention to your body language 84

31 Listen 87

Leadership Skills

Become a Leader

32 Play to win the game of office politics 89

33 Bring out the best in others 93

34 Under-promise and over-deliver 95

35 Lead by example 96

36 Be a lifelong learner 98

37 You don't get what you want; you get what you ask for 100

38 Don't compare yourself to others 102

39 Everything takes time 103

40 Be yourself; you are enough 105

41 Pay attention to the proven practices of successful people 106

42 Create and maintain a career portfolio 108

43 Put together your own personal advisory board 111

44 Dress for the position you want 113

45 Get involved in life; work hard, and play hard too 114

46 Put people first 117

Social Skills

Maintain Good Relationships and Work Cooperatively with Others

47 Use social networking tools to stay connected 119

48 First impressions create lasting impressions 122

49 Take responsibility for yourself and your relationships 124

50 Network, network, network 126

51 Show up for events; your presence matters 129

52 Just say “no” 130

53 Know the difference between an online and off-line friend 132

54 The company party is not a party 134

55 Always have a business card with you 137

56 Guard your shadow; it follows you wherever you go 139

57 Stop talking 142

58 Mind your manners 144

59 Balance screen time with face time 147

60 Look for similarities, not differences 149

61 Show your appreciation 150

Self-Discipline

Be Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise

62 Control your spending 153

63 Reduce your anxiety with technology 156

64 Be your own best friend; set aside time for yourself 159

65 Get in shape and stay in shape 161

66 Neatness counts; get organized and stay organized 165

67 No more excuses; deal with problems 167

68 Freshen up! 169

69 Plan your day 171

70 Smoke and booze; you lose 175

71 Learn how to de-stress 178

72 Turn off the lights 180

73 Trust your instincts 183

74 Get a tetanus shot 185

75 If you wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't say it 186

Demonstrate A Positive Attitude

Make Your Life a Little Easier

76 Your attitude is your choice 189

77 Make someone's day 191

78 Consider yourself fortunate 193

79 Look on the bright side 195

80 Enjoy the ride 198

81 Life is not a game 199

82 Don't take rejection personally 202

83 Respond; don't overreact 204

84 Learn to laugh at yourself 205

85 Change is inevitable; misery is optional 208

86 Sometimes you have to let go 210

87 Put on a happy face 211

88 Learn to give and receive compliments 213

89 Be a cheerleader for yourself and others 215

90 Avoid toxic people and environments 217

Areas of Distinction

Rise Above the Ordinary and Live an Extraordinary Life

91 Volunteer 221

92 Make a difference 223

93 Cross the finish line 224

94 Follow your heart 226

95 Love the work you do 228

96 Believe in yourself 229

97 It's not what you earn, it's what you do with your earnings that count 232

98 Be a successful student of your own failure 236

99 You can make it through challenging economic times 238

100 There's no business like your own business 240

101 Never give up on your dreams 243

Appendix: Extra Credit Bonus Insights 246

Index 266