Tips for First Days

First days are what I think of as similar to the 100 days of the Presidency. They are a way to benchmark someone and how they did. You have 100 days to make sure whatever objective are either achieved or not. Why 100 days, because in politics, that's about the honeymoon period.

I believe there is a similar such feeling or days in a new job. You are starting new, especially for recent graduates and it is a time to say a lot of "I don't know", but to learn quickly to pick up the ball. So how does someone navigate the 100 days well. I can't say for certain since I'm about to find out, but here are some tips I've been give.

1. Learn the politics in the office. Learn who is important, who is the go to guy, etc.
2. Don't be afraid to say I don't know. You aren't expected to know most of the stuff and pretending to know something when you don't is far worse because it often results in screw-ups. As for clarification.
3. Don't bite more than you can chew. I know I've fallen for this before, but as young ambitious people with limited experience, we think we know all there is to know. Experience makes a big difference in the corporate world or in management. Just because you think doing something one way is dumb or time consuming doesn't mean you need to make waves about it right away. Look, Listen, and Learn are the three big things you should be doing. Make notes about what you like and don't like, but don't jump the gun in make recommendations about organization overhaul.
4. Join every networking event you can. The more people you meet early, the better it is for you later.
5. Don't expect your boss to always know what is going on or what he is doing. Sometimes, the title doesn't always translate into more knowledge. However, that doesn't mean he isn't the boss.
6. There are times you are going to wonder why you signed up for the job in the first place. Why am I staying up at 2am doing copy and paste commands or sorting files or making copies? Any damn high school kid with half a brain could be doing this. Keep calm in those times. Remember you are just beginning and no one climbs to the top in 100 days or gets a promotion...almost no one. Those boring moments are going to mixed with moments when you feel things are flying way over your head. Keep cool in both.
7. Manage your own career. As someone has told me, a job stays with the company wherever you decide to go, but your career stays with you. So even if the task at hand is boring, make sure you are learning, constantly. That way, you build up a toolbox of skills that you can take anywhere you go.

Best luck on those start out.