Transitioning Life After College Career Counseling and Support

Transitioning: Life After College Career Counseling and Support Services 1640 Neil Avenue, 2 nd Floor Younkin Success Center (614) 688 -3898 ccss. osu. edu

Career Counseling and Support Services Professional Image • 1 st impressions are important - Clothing, mannerism, speech - Behavior, habits, opinions • What type of image would you like to project? • How are you working toward your desired image?

Career Counseling and Support Services Dressing for Success • Do you know the policy? • Do’s & Don’ts of “Casual Friday” • Depends on the atmosphere • Depends on the context of client contact • Don’t push the envelope… let others take the lead • Avoid religious or political symbols

Career Counseling and Support Services Tips for Dressing for Success • Plan well • Neutrals • Classics • Quality over Quantity • Avoid items that need to be dry cleaned - Expensive to maintain • Use accessories to add variety - Keep to a minimum

Career Counseling and Support Services Professional Workspace • Organizational skills are important - Be creative • One touch rule; minimizes clutter • Disinfect/clean workspace monthly • Pictures • Other essentials for office life…

Career Counseling and Support Services Respect for Others • Leave it like you found it • Replace what you use • Don’t hoard office supplies • If you break it… fix it or report it • Inform others if you will be using the printer or copier for extended amounts of time

Career Counseling and Support Services Professional Communication • Understand your own style • Continue to learn new words - Note unknown words and research later - Ask for details if the word/acronym is unique to work responsibilities • Avoid use of slang • Listen, listen - Hearing, understanding, judging • Ask for clarification and give feedback

Career Counseling and Support Services Internet Use • • E-mail etiquette • Always use a professional style • Limit emotional content • Avoid abbreviations and symbols • Include a signature and contact information Avoid using company time for personal gain • Know company policy • Beware!! Some companies monitor

Career Counseling and Support Services The “BOSS” • Show respect • Give your best • Be honest • Keep lines of communication open • Maintain boundaries • Be positive • Manage your emotions • Be open to feedback

Career Counseling and Support Services Styles of Leadership Micro Manager • Tight control, detail oriented; good for structure Hands-Off • Allows employees to think and act independently; record your progress on projects Absentee • Little leadership & guidance; learn to rely on coworkers Under Qualified • Use the situation to your advantage. More opportunity for growth; identify other sources of information Over Achiever • Workaholic, challenges employees, opportunity for growth experiences Insecure • Work on establishing trust; seek approval prior to implementing projects

Career Counseling and Support Services Conflict with the supervisor… • Choose your battles wisely • Don’t sit and stew • Request a meeting • State the facts • • • Keep records Use self-control Look for support Know your rights Go to the top or HR • Weigh your options

Career Counseling and Support Services Co-workers • Be responsible, dependable, and trustworthy • Your behavior affects others • Express your appreciation • Be positive, modest, and respectful • Play fair • Avoid non-productive conflict • Know company policy on office romances - Best advice… keep it professional

Career Counseling and Support Services Difficult Co-Workers • Chatty Cathy • kills your productivity • The slacker • tries to pass work off to you and may take credit for your work • The gossiper • Keep your guard up…what you tell may be his/her next best story • Mr. Toxic • negative attitude may be contagious • The Brown Noser • • may see you as competition and attempt to sabotage your efforts to connect with the boss or other managers http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=mnqo. Wo. Zv. GSQ

Career Counseling and Support Services Motivation • Try to find a way to add fun and variety to your work routine • Seek leadership opportunities • Take ownership of your work • Focus on your goals and the “Big” picture • Seek Feedback • Maintain a positive attitude • Reflect on your accomplishments

Career Counseling and Support Services Unemployment Keep your ear to the ground • Be aware of recent resignations, firings, lay offs, or signs of financial distress within the company. • Note what is being said about your company in the media (i. e. stock exchange). • Listen to feedback from others; inquire, adjust or start researching other potential employers. • Periodically update your resume… just in case.

Career Counseling and Support Services Departure • Request an exit interview – Learn from the situation • Try to leave on good terms • Ask for a letter of recommendation (Perhaps from someone other than the boss who fired you) • Know company policy regarding severance package, and left over sick, vacation or personal time • Adjust your budget until you regain employment • Consider the process of finding a job as your current job: reconnect with your network to identify leads

Career Counseling and Support Services Last Tips • Networking is still vital • Identify mentors within and outside of your work environment • Affiliate yourself with a professional organization • Continue to learn about your profession. • Overall, treat others how you would like to be treated.

Career Counseling and Support Services Last Thought… I long to accomplish a great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. - Helen Keller