The transformation
from dorm rat to cube dweller can be quite a shock. In his new book
No More Ramen: The 20-Something’s Real World Survival
Guide (Next Stage Press), life-skills and career coach
Nicholas Aretakis offers tips for corporate America’s newbies. They
happen to be nice reminders for 30- and 40-somethings as well.
Keep it professional.
If you must make or receive personal phone calls, try not to
involve the entire office. Take your cell phone to a private area
if the call isn’t business-related.
Watch the booze. Just
because the company’s paying doesn’t mean it’s OK to get sloshed
when entertaining clients or attending business events. “You are a
representative of yourself and your company,” says
Aretakis. Not to mention, there’s a chance word of your behavior
could get back to your boss.
Be dependable. Don’t
take on too much work, only to realize you are unable to finish it
all. “Especially in business, be honest enough to say what you’re
going to do, and be reliable enough to do what you say,” Aretakis
advises. It’s the best way to impress your boss and win the respect
of your co-workers.