In his most recent blog, Six Simple Growth Equations Rajesh Setty reminds fresh graduates how to start their professional career on the right foot. With thousands graduating during this diploma-granting season many feel lost, ill equipped, or even resigned to the idea of making a career by starting with the right first step.
Stats of high unemployment rates for fresh graduates (in some areas as high as 20%) and what happens to them during their first year of employment shed much light on their plight. Longitudinal studies have shown that the dropout rates of fresh graduates in their first job are as high as 35% and have not changed much over the years! Why is this rate so high? Again, going back to Setty’s blog, most focus on his 5th equation (1+1=2) during their first year at their job, very few on his 6th and final (1+1=11), and the majority are lost wondering about what 1+1 should really be for them in their careers!
The reason for these abysmal stats is partially provided by Jeff Selngo’s blog, Congratulations, College Graduate. Now tell Us: What Did Your Learn? Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) measurements show in Selingo’s blog that when college students take CLA three times during their college careers (about one year apart) 45 percent show NO gains in their writing, complex reasoning, and critical-thinking skills—key attributes that employers look for before hiring someone fresh out of school. After four years the number was still at 36 percent. In his blog Salingo writes about what students need to do to improve this score.
Taking the path that makes 1+1=11 during your early career—even your first job—is no accident. In my client pool I have many fresh graduates, with some in the middle of their first year at their new job. For those now in line to receive their diplomas this month it is too late for them to change their CLA scores. But, to increase their odds of getting a job, building a career for themselves (a’la the 1+1= 11 route) here are my suggestions:
- Find your passion and strengths and look for jobs that leverage those attributes. Do NOT go for jobs that offer enticing salaries and perks, but that do not feed your true love for working.
- Going from the campus life to working life is one of the biggest and most difficult transitions. The reasons for this are many-fold, but one of them is the reality that if your high IQ got you all those As on your transcripts it is not enough to get an “A” on your first-year performance review. Studies have shown that the correlation between professional success and IQ is only about 20% (not the near 100% that you expected in your college!). So, to do well in your career focus on all the other “Qs” that drive your success (Emotional Intelligence, EQ; Political Intelligence, PQ; Cultural Intelligence, CQ; Contextual Intelligence, XQ are the other four Qs that are worth knowing about).
- Learn how to work in teams and contribute in a leadership role. It is normal during your college years to study alone and get ready for exams and ace them. Not much focus is on teamwork in college, except perhaps in some sports.
- Shift your focus from pulling all-nighters before your exam to working diligently every day and accomplishing something worthwhile. In a new job it is all right to ask someone more experienced for help. This is a good way to leverage the resources around you to get things done.
- Learning how the place works and what is rewarded. Asking your boss how you will be measured during your first year is critical to know what to focus on to get an “A” on your first performance review. In the process find yourself a good mentor to help you navigate through the maze of working a job.
These are just a few tips I can think of right off the bat. The list is quite long, but getting started on these as your first order of business and having the right mindset to get going as you get ready to interview are critical.
Good luck!