Introduction
The transition from school to work can be a very challenging task for a person. In particular, it may be difficult for this individual to adjust to the new schedule or the requirements set by the employer. Furthermore, he/she may not be accustomed to working overtime. In many cases, these people should change their lifestyles. Overall, one can offer several recommendations that can help college and university graduates.
Main body
At first, they need to learn as much as possible about the requirements that are set for people who apply for a particular position (Sweeney, 2014). For instance, they should read detailed job descriptions that specify the duties and responsibilities of employees. Additionally, they can read various articles that describe the experiences of new hires as well as the common mistakes that these people tend to make. In this way, they can better anticipate potential problems.
Additionally, they should pay more attention to their schedule and time management. For instance, they should ensure that they have good sleep; otherwise, their performance can be impaired considerably. Additionally, they need to set aside their activities on various social networks because they can prevent them from doing their workplace tasks.
Furthermore, young people should be aware of such a problem as information overload. It occurs when people need to memorize a great number of details within a very short time (Buhler, 2002). For instance, new hires may learn about workplace procedures, electronic passwords, performance standards, documentation, and so forth. Therefore, they should write everything down, at least, during the first few days of their work.
Additionally, some problems can occur when young people try to show that they can cope with every task without relying on the assistance of their co-workers. In this way, they want to highlight their self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, in some cases, they can make costly mistakes. Therefore, they should consult their managers or mentors. In this way, young employees can find more efficient solutions to the problems that they can face at the beginning of their career. Moreover, young people should become accustomed to teamwork that is one of the prerequisites for their success.
Furthermore, college graduates should bear in mind that modern companies can be run by people who have different attitudes, values, and behavioral norms (Parry, 2014). In particular, they should not overlook the importance of generational differences. For example, older may not approve of the casual clothing style favored by young employees. Furthermore, they do not expect new hires to discuss the work on social networks. In fact, this behavior can sometimes violate the confidentiality rules adopted by companies. So college graduates should learn more about behavioral norms established in the organization.
There is another risk that should not be overlooked. Employers can set very high-performance standards for new hires. So, they often need to work overtime. In some cases, they may not maintain regular contact with their friends or relatives. Nevertheless, young people should remember that such contracts are necessary for their resilience to various stressors (Decvar, 2012, p. 349). For instance, these relations can help them cope with burnout (Decvar, 2012).
Conclusion
Admittedly, these recommendations cannot cover every potential difficulty that a person can encounter in the workplace. Nevertheless, they can help avoid many pitfalls that can impair people’s experiences at the beginning of their careers. They are useful for dealing with such issues as the need to work overtime, information overload, and stress. They are also helpful for avoiding conflicts and misunderstandings.
Reference List
Buhler, P. (2002). Human Resources Management: All the Information You Need to Manage Your Staff and Meet Your Business Objectives. New York, NY: Adams Media.
Decvar, D. (2012). Handbook of Family Resilience. New York, NY: Springer Science & Business Media.
Parry, E. (2014). Generational Diversity at Work: New Research Perspectives. New York, NY: Routledge.
Sweeney, P. (2014). International Management: Strategic Opportunities and Cultural Challenges. New York, NY: Routledge.