Tricks of the Trade

By Corinne Feight

I spoke with a working professional last week with over 30 years in the business. She is currently working at one of Condé Nast’s many magazines in New York. Thus, you may think that her advice might not be relevant to you. However, she is someone who has been at the bottom and has worked her way up almost all the way to the top. Her career span is really impressive and her advice to me can apply to any field or profession. As I found her advice to be beneficial, I thought I’d share some of her most important tips.

1. Nothing is below you. Don’t underestimate the power of positivity and loyalty. When you start working for a company, no matter the size, you will start on the bottom in an entry-level position, most likely. This means that you will have to do the menial tasks like filing and running errands. Don’t discredit this work. Everyone works through this at some point. Keep smiling. People will notice your good attitude and appreciate the work that you do. It will pay off in the long run. You could sink the promotion based on your work ethic even if there are people in the same position as you that are more skilled.


2. Don’t be in such a hurry. Many times, especially in Liberal Arts positions, you can move up the corporate ladder more quickly. However, don’t be so eager. My mentor said that you should stay in your job position at least three to six months. This allows you to really get a handle on how to perform the tasks not only well, but also better than anyone before. If you show your commitment to even the busywork, you will become a valuable part of the company. You may, in fact, become so invaluable that when you finally ask for that promotion, the company will do anything just to ensure you’ll stay. For those who work hard and put in their time, you will be rewarded in the long run. Don’t be in such a rush to get there. The relationships you build along the way are important. In the end, you don’t want to be standing on a deck of cards. Take time to build your foundation within the company.


3. Start small. Many times students want to come out of college and sink those job positions at the huge companies. Don’t get me wrong, if you can do it, by all means go right ahead. However, it’s harder to be considered if you don’t have the experience to back it up. Don’t be discouraged. My mentor says you should start small. Start in a place that has a bunch of employees your age. Bounce ideas off each other. Thrive in this dynamic environment. These smaller companies will be hard work…a lot of hard work, but in the end, it’s worth it. It is in these places that you can wear many hats and develop many different skill sets. These will become invaluable to you later when you move into a higher position. Many larger companies also really respect these smaller companies for the work that they do and will see the credibility in a candidate that started at those businesses. Don’t be afraid of a stepping-stone (or a couple!) on the way to your dream job.

These are just small tips, but they can make all the difference when your boss is looking to promote someone from your intern class or entry-level position. Positivity and a work ethic can go a long way. Certain skills and business programming can be taught, but your ability to persevere and self-inspire is rare and valuable. Be modest and people will notice your hard work.