Breaking Into the Workplace!

So you've landed a job! And in all your waves of excitement come nervous thoughts of transitioning into a new work environment with new people, new tasks, new assignments and more. So how do you make the transition as smooth as possible? Here are 3 tips on breaking into the workplace!

1. Keep an Open Mind

I believe this is the most important tip in transitioning into the workplace. We as college students have expectations and different thoughts of the workplace. Although we may have interned at companies and gotten a preview of what that environment should feel like, expectations can hinder us from having an easier transition. Work environments differ in each company and some may be more relaxed or reserved than others. Keeping an open mind and not having high expectations will make the adjustment better. Now keeping your expectations low doesn't mean forgetting about workplace standards such as safety, fairness and equality. Keep an open mind about the personalities and how the environment is run overall. You should in no way work for a company that doesn't provide the basic standards of workplace etiquette and makes you feel discriminated against.

2. Befriend a Key Influencer

Connecting with a key influencer not only keeps someone in your corner but gives you a mentor. This person should be able to give you insight to the environment as well as give you advice on how to adjust. Try to look for someone who has been with the company for a while and seems to have adjusted well. They can also open up other connections for you to other influencers in the office.

3. Be Confident

Last but certainly not least, be confident. You were hired for a reason! Your qualifications speak for themselves. On the first day, don't be afraid to introduce yourself. Ask questions and take part in group discussions in meetings. Ask questions to learn more about how you can help the company reach its goals. Don't hold back but step right into your role. You may not understand all of the ins and outs of the work environment, but being confident shows your effort in truly wanting to be apart of the workplace.

What tip was your favorite for breaking into the workplace?

Ways to Stand Out in Your Job Search!!

With graduation coming oh so soon, (less than 90 days in fact!), the search for a job is becoming more difficult for us seniors. This list is just a few ways to stand out in your job search and to beat out the competition! Happy searching!

1. Get noticed before applying. This can come from recommendations or referrals, networking,  and connecting with employers on LinkedIn.

2. Make your resume, cover letter and portfolio TOP NOTCH. Use better verbiage, like action words to make your application stand out. Don't be afraid to use the same verbs advertised in the actual position and tailor them to your characteristics.

3. Use facts, figures and numbers on your resume. Your resume and cover letter should be based off of each other but a resume should not flow like a story. An employer should look to bullet points for concise details of your experience and facts, figures and numbers stand out.

4. Be cordial to everyone you meet in the interview process. The person at the front desk may not work in HR, but employers may ask them for a report of the demeanor of those being interviewed. 

5. Be confident. No whimpy handshakes. Make eye contact. Don't forget to smile!

6. Do your research! Make sure you know the background of the company and position you're applying for.

7. Bring your experience with you. If you have a portfolio where you can refer and actually have proof of what you done, you have a one-up on other interviewees.

8. Come with questions. Don't make the interview a one way conversation. Employers take questions as actual interest in the position. Ask what a typical day would be like in the role. Ask what are some of the company's goals for the long term and how you could help them reach it.

9. Follow-up. Whether through an email or call, thank the employer for taking the time to interview you.

10. LAND THE JOB!!

Which one of these tips is your favorite?

Things to Know Before Purchasing Your First Apartment!

 

Moving out can be an exciting experience. I mean we basically live on our own for 4 years and going back to live with mom and dad after college can seem a bit confining. On the other hand, moving out can be a very big expense and big hassle. Here are a few tips to know before leaving the nest.

Know Your Budget

Just because you want to move out doesn't mean you have the funds or resources to do so. Take time to figure out if your income will support you living on your own. Rent should account for about 1/3 of your income. Also factor in things like utilities, groceries, car expenses, savings and other things that you will have to cover while living alone. Don't neglect the one time costs of moving such as application fees, deposits, furniture, and administrative fees. During this time, you should also make a list of things you may need like furniture and just common household items that you would need to live by yourself. Account for these things in your budget.

SAVE

After knowing your budget and what you can do financially, saving is an obvious step. This concept seems to be an important one in your early twenties! You're not only saving to make sure you have everything before you move out, but also in case of emergencies. Life happens and saving will give you a cushion to keep yourself afloat if there happens to be such things. 

Start Looking

After the first two tips have been followed through with, you can move on to the actual searching process. During this time it is important to know what your needs and wants are and to be realistic. Coming from HPU has made me very spoiled but knowing the difference between what my income can afford and what I want are two separate things. Your needs should be things that can't be debated such as a good neighborhood, updated (not necessarily stainless, lol) appliances, good plumbing, a good landlord, things of that nature. And then there are things that aren't necessary to live on your own but are things that you want such as in-suite washer and dryer, a gym and pool, a balcony and things like that. After listing these things, you should actually go visit the apartments. Know the distance from work, see the type of neighbors you may potentially be having and just check out the actual suite that you may be living in.

Following these simple steps will make your moving out process a lot more easier and even fun. Moving out is an exciting experience and can be done correctly if these ideas are kept in mind!

Paying off Your Student Debts

It's inevitable.

Student Debt.

With college tuition costs rising steadily every year, more than 70%  of graduates are leaving school with about $30,000 in debt or more! Like most loans, they may be referred until after graduation. But then what?? Here are a few ways to tackle that student debt and shorten the race to financial freedom

1. Tackle Your Debt
Seems repetitive, but here its more about understanding how much debt you really have. Most debts come from private loans, but don't forget about those federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Make sure to have a clear note of how much you owe. In reaching that clarity, make sure you read the fine print of your loan terms and repayment guidelines. Remember interest also has to be paid back and familiarize yourself with when your repayments are due and how much is due.

2. Sacrifice
Being a student at High Point University has put me in the life of luxury and has left me a little detached from the real world. Loan repayment is a huge wake-up call. Paying back your loans is a big  responsibility and that requires sacrifice. Such things as staying home to save on rent, delaying  in buying a new car, or even going out less can be simple sacrifices that can save you money to use toward paying off debt. Even some of the money you receive from graduation, birthdays, and holidays can be set aside for those loans.

3. Pay More
As simple as it may seem, paying more on your loans every chance you get can cut down the time it takes you to pay them back. This sort of goes hand in hand with sacrificing. If you're committed to being debt free, paying more than the minimum payment not only cuts your interest down but the repayment period of the loan.


Student loan debt is a serious responsibility to have on one's shoulders fresh out of undergrad while yearning to take on the real world. It is manageable and possible to overcome it. These ways are just a few of the strategies you can implement to come closer to financial freedom, Be sure to also check my previous post on financial strategies to establish in your twenties for more information on establishing a solid financial foundation.