Remember their coffee order

It's a very small and tactical item, but it is important to know people's coffee order. (We have a Starbucks walking distance so this is the coffee house I base my orders on - you do the same, whatever is close and most frequented.) We've all been up early and in line with a text out to those you work with - "who wants coffee?" But a little trick I learned is to write down the important people's drinks! (The boss, the clients and those who make your life easy or not.) You can either make a note or even save it under each contact name. Make a positive impression by remembering the small things.

Laugh!

A good laugh will go a long way! It strengthens relationships, allows for a release of energy and leaves you with a smile on your face. People you laugh with are more enjoyable to work with. And if you participate in laughter - your co-workers will associate you with it. And who does not want to be remembered for a good laugh, happiness and a big smile?? exactly.

Duly Noted

A few years in the work world will give you a good taste of things you should duly note along the way. 1. Write down, mark your calendar, and set a reminder of your hire date. This should be grounds for your yearly review and mid-year reviews. This date plays a huge factor of a pay increase (even if it is a small percentage) and personal feedback on how you are doing. 2. Save contact information! Microsoft Outlook has a "contacts" section for you to create a card and input contact information (don't forget the mailing info - you never know when you may need to mail them something!). You can easily forward them in emails and it's a great way to keep up with your clients, potential leads or a good resource. Side Note: I have also found using the "new contact" as a reference for websites user name and password. 3. Respond back with confirmation you received something. When people send something over for you to act upon, the sender always appreciates a "got it" or even a simple "thanks"!

Stay Positive

Expect the unexpected and as you go through it - stay positive. It's easy to complain or frustrated, but in the end staying positive will leave you feeling much better about the situation. And when you are positive it is easier to share that motivation with your fellow co-workers. High fives, laughs and a pat on the back will go a long way!

Bring healthy snacks!

I love to snack! And even worse I love something sweet. I quickly learned that the candy machine was not a good idea for a meal or snack substitution - trouble! Here is a quick list of things I've found to be filling, but a good snack!

- Granola (perfect to hold you over till lunch!)
- Oatmeal (the best breakfast and you can keep it at your desk)
- Raisins (they are sweet and tasty)
- Oranges (they smell your cube too :)
- Snack Bars (any kind that are low in fat)
- Fruit cocktail cups (better cold, but I don't think they have to be)

If your sitting at a desk, you need to eat healthy!

Read, Read and Read

I can not stress enough how important it is to read. News, industry articles, attending webinars and white papers are a few resources to absorb. You never know when you will hear or read something that either sparks a thought, idea or gives you the motivation or advice you need.

Webinars are great - and usually held during lunch! So bring your brown bag and start listening, take notes and share with your colleagues what you've learned. The boss will love this!

White papers and industry publishers keep you up to what is going on, trends, things to look out for - wins or fails. I find a quick glance at an industry newsletter keeps me up with my competitors (messaging and creative) and also allows me to quickly glance at what is going on (from a holistic, landscape view)

I know it takes time and sometimes I wonder why I printed out a 52 page report, but believe me in the end you will be happy you took the time to read it and thrilled when you can use that knowledge in the next meeting you sit in. Keep on reading!

Don't forget the flowers

Birthdays, celebrations, and "get well soon" occasions are all appropriate for flowers. As old school it may seem never underestimate the power of flowers.

IT Is Always Watching

That's right, someone is always watching! Even if your company is easy going and you notice people are freely browsing - it is possible for your IT to watch and track your browsing history/logs. With that said, save your personal browsing after work! And be careful with the passwords you save, the pages you bookmark and what you choose to view while you are working!

Duly noted: many companies block websites and others don't. Use your best judgement.

Over Communicate

Just when you thought it was crystal clear, someone will come along and make an assumption. Over communicate! Every opportunity you get, take the time to explain the situation, explain the plan of attack and make sure everyone is on board. The more you stop by and check in the more people feel like you a. know what is going on b. are managing the project c. feel like they are being communicated to.

Even to those who you would rather avoid, they are most likely the ones you need to communicate to the most. Take the time to stop by, make sure they are good with everything that is going on, during status make sure all assignments and deligations are made (three or four times, believe me it does not hurt!) and most importnatly check in on expectations on timing, budget and yes the deliverable. Speak clearly and throughly to get the job done.

File your emails - neatly

You will quickly learn how important it is to keep those emails for future reference, but more importantly keep it orderly! Organize them to your liking. Filing by project, task or date are just a few ways to keep track of the thousands of emails you will receive in a month. Think of them as carbon copies of communication: a contract, a decision, directions or just a reminder, but many will be important and you'll want to find them quickly in a crunch.

Stay cool, calm and collected

Believe me it is easier said than done, but at all times you are better off if you stay cool, calm and collected. The more steam you brew the bigger you'll blow! Stay professional in all circumstances. And even if you are the youngster in the room keep your emotions under control and act like a professional who has been doing this for years. Keeping your cool will not only earn you some major brownie points, but it will also help you gain respect with others.

Student Discount?

One thing is for sure, the student discount goes right out the window when you start your "real world" job. During your senior of college be sure to pick up the latest software, accessories and maybe even a new computer at your school bookstore. The savings on software is ridiculous and after you graduate and they file you that way in the system - your savings are up. So plan accordingly and pick up everything you need prior to walking the stage.

Save the heavy drinking for the weekend!

So once you are settled in to your new job and have a small sense of security you will be daring and go out one Tuesday night for half price margaritas (because they don't have $2 dollar you call it in the city) and have a great time! That is until the next morning. Begin hungover at work is not fun. When you can not function, hurled over your desk and forced to stay sitting in your cubical rather than lying down it is not a pretty situation. Did I forget to mention your acting all day like everything is normal?

So, save the heavy drinking for the weekend. Learn your weekday limit and limit the weekday drinking. Because who knows you may get that next big lead or an important phone call.

Don't pay for a daily cup o' joe

Learn how to drink coffee you can make. If your office provides coffee take advantage of the FREE cup you can enjoy every morning. (You will need a cup every morning) Or take the time to brew at home and enjoy from your fancy travel mug. Spare yourself from expensive coffee that can quickly total to $20 a week ($4 bucks each) to almost $80 a month!

Welcome

Yes, this is my current situation. I never thought my work life could become more complicated until that very Christmas party where I saw the spark begin. I'm sure there are some of you that can relate and I truly acknowledge the disposition you may be in. I have back peddled through projects and strategically copied people on emails to make sure my bases are covered.

But that's not why I'm writing this. This will be about things you need to know when you enter the work force at a 9-5 job and the 15 extra hours you don't log. As a recent college graduate I am amazed at the things that they don't teach you in school and your left to only experience as you go. So for those of you lucky to find this place of joy I do hope it is of relevance, motivation and more importantly, inspiring.

I'd like to make a toast (that's right I can because it's my Blog) Here's to all the future posts and readers, may the adventure begin. Cheers.