When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know »

Graduating from college and starting a career is exciting and scary, all at the same time. You learned a lot in college, but no one class can prepare you for what employers want you to know. Based on twenty-five years' experience in the corporate world, Nancy Barry shares the secrets to success. She will help you meet and exceed your manager's expectations by revealing behaviors that are critically important in the workplace. You'll learn: What managers want you to know, and don't have time to tell you, Why your "soft skills" are so important, How to communicate on a professional level, Ten things that will drive your boss crazy, The importance of building and nurturing relationships. If you're about to graduate from college or have recently graduated, reading When Reality Hits will be one of the best investments you've ever made.

Acknowledgments     xi
Preface: A Message from Your New Career Coach     xv
Introduction: What's in It for You?     xix
Ready, Set, Work     1
Did They Remember You Were Starting Work Today?     2
The Homework Continues     4
Ask Lots of Questions     5
The People Are the Most Important Part     8
What We All Have in Common     10
Were All on the Same Team     10
It's All About Them     12
What Comes First-Work or Life?     13
When Reality Hits     15
The College World Versus the Real World     17
What Employers Want You to Know     18
Profile of a Dream Employee     19
It's All Up to You     21
What Do You Want to Be Known For?     22
Your Dream Job     22
Picture Yourself There     23
You've Got to Believe     24
The Power of a Positive Attitude     25
Let Your Passion Shine     26
Work Is Not a Four-Letter Word     28
Wanting It All-Now!     30
The Core Counts     33
The Hidden Camera     35
Always Take the High Road     36
What Were They Thinking?     38
You Made a Mistake-Now What?     39
Zero Tolerance     41
You Want Me to Do What?!     42
Become a "Go To" Person     44
Welcome Feedback     44
Like It or Not, This Stuff Matters     47
First Impressions-You Get One Chance     48
Dress-Code Dilemma     49
Other Stuff That Matters     52
Business Manners Matter     54
Is That Your Napkin or Mine?     56
Avoiding a Communication Crisis     61
Communication Is Not "One Size Fits All"     62
Workplace Writing 101     63
E-mails-Eleven Things You Need to Know     65
Think, Think, Think Before You Speak     69
It's All in the Delivery     72
How's Your Tone on the Phone?     74
Your Life Is a Series of Presentations     78
Body Language-Yours and Theirs     80
Did You Hear That?     82
Surely They Know     83
Spinning Out of Control     85
Map Out a Plan     85
Organizational Savvy     86
Deadlines-Meet Them or Beat Them     91
Multitask with Caution      94
Procrastination Causes Pain     95
Stressful Times     96
Is It Ever Good Enough?     97
Bosses: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly     99
The Scoop About Bosses     101
Managing Your Manager     101
Ten Things That Will Drive Your Boss Crazy     106
Relationships: To Have and to Hold     111
What's in a Name?     112
Carry Business Cards 24/7     114
Building Strong, Lasting Relationships     116
Be Nice to Everyone     120
The Magic of Mentors     121
Never Pass Up a Lemonade Stand     123
Make People Feel Special     123
Thank-You Notes-A Lost Art     126
The Joy of Giving Back     127
Random Words of Wisdom     129
A Few More Things You Should Know     129
Down the Road     143
Preparing for a Promotion     143
Is It Time to Move On?     146
The End: A Final Message from Your New Career Coach     151
Index     153
Biography     157