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Advice to new grads, Volume 1: Quit companies run by dinosaurs.
Despite what your parents said, it’s ok to quit things. Whatever job you take now won’t last your entire career. Why and when you leave will depend on a bunch of things, but one of the many Hills I’ll Die On™️:
👉You can’t quit bad companies fast enough.
The first one you work for might totally suck. Some actually bank on new grads not knowing any better and sticking around longer than they should.
So here’s my 3 point cheat sheet to identify which companies are a pile and not worth your time.
1. They focus on ‘hard work’ instead of results.
Working hard is the most obvious and trite advice you’ll ever receive. Of course you need to. It's literally called “work” because it takes effort.
The rhetoric also shows up as “show up early”, “stay late” and “study more on your free time.”
Sure. These things are necessary, *sometimes*. What’s missing here? A focus on results.
And I don’t just mean hitting your sales numbers or project deliverables. (Both of which are a better focus than the ambiguous ‘work hard’).
Are you encouraged to improve an existing process? Is testing new ideas allowed? Is problem solving to yield better results rewarded?
Is there a path to promotion if you do any of these things?
2. Their "company culture" is cliques and cults.
Take a look at the team. How similar is everyone?
Same group of schools? Majors? Sports, interests and activities?
Is there a pressure to hang out after hours and never miss happy hour?
If yes yes yes and yes…it’s by design. People are more likely to put up with bullsh*t if their friends are all there.
The real secret to building (actually useful) work relationships: learn to effectively work with people you have nothing in common with.
You’ll learn more about the job, life, and yourself by working with people totally different than you.
3. Gossip, backstabbing (and worse) are the norm.
Speaking of said bullsh*t, it’s hard to spot a toxic work environment if it’s your first one. But in your gut, you know when things are off.
Do managers play favorites? Or talk about team members behind their backs? Is there an “old boys club”? Yelling? Inappropriate relationships?
None of this stuff is normal or acceptable. But it exists and you may encounter it.
👉No matter who or how young you are, you’re too good for it.
Hopefully your first job is a great one and lasts for years. But if not, don’t stick around because you think you’re supposed to.
Volume 2 coming later this week. Probably.
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