3 Tips for Recent Graduates in the Business World

In my life, I've been very fortunate to be exposed to a wide range of opportunities which have helped me learn about the business world. In the process, I was able to understand what personality traits are necessary in a fast-paced business environment, and how to grow into becoming a successful and integral part of all the business teams I have been a part of.

In large part, I believe my willingness to be open-minded, and my ability to respect those who surround me in all my jobs have been key reasons for my successes. However, I will never forget one of the first lessons I learned: As someone who is generally younger than most people in the room, I need to work harder than everyone else.

Most people tend to correlate age with the amount of knowledge a person has about a specific idea or concept, and often, this generalization holds. Someone who has been in the industry for 25 years will almost always know more than someone who has recently graduated from college.

However, just because this is true does not mean that a young employee has to fall into the game. Rather, it is important for newer members of the workforce to push against stereotypes and impress those around you with your ability to manage well under significant pressures that face younger employees.

From my experience, there are a few pieces of advice I will give to employees my age as key to finding a path to success.

First and foremost, it is imperative that young employees work hard, perhaps even harder than everyone they surround. Working hard is not only about putting in long hours at your desk and nailing deadlines.

I believe it also includes outside work. For each industry and vertical this will vary, but it almost always includes keeping abreast of current events, reading articles from leaders in your field, and taking the time to think outside the box about new, innovative ways to approach your job. This gives you a better perspective, not only of how your company situates itself within the larger field, but it can also help you clarify your goals, and what you believe will be your dream job.

Related to my first point is the need to network. Networking, both online and at events, is key to building meaningful relationships in your industry.

I myself have struggled with this, and meeting new people requires a certain confidence about who you are and your knowledge of the field. Challenging yourself to do this will improve your communication skills, as well as allow you to feel more comfortable about speaking to new people.

This is one of the hardest aspects of the business world to master, but I find it useful to keep in touch with those I have connected with, thereby expanding my local, regional, and inter-state networks.

A perk of networking is that a lot of the most prized jobs for younger employees are advertised by word of mouth. Having acquaintances who can key you into these openings in your industry can help your career progress faster than it would by methodically moving up the ladder.

Finally, and most importantly, I've learned that it is okay to show those around you just how much you know. Starting at a new job or in a new position, I've always felt nervous about revealing to co-workers just how much I know about my position and the field. However, time and time again, I've realized that people always appreciate having co-workers who are passionate about their jobs and who take the time to put in the extra work to become good at a particular task, regardless of age.

It is not about showing off what you know, but being a reliable source of information.

Ultimately, I believe it is possible for young employees to become integral employees within their companies. A great starting point to gain respect from your co-workers is to use your first few months to learn everything you can, both inside and outside of your office.

By building a solid foundation for your career, it will be easier to see your future payoff. Despite age, young employees who are confident, charismatic, and knowledgeable will find that they are respected by co-workers and able to get ahead of the competition in no time.