On the Job

1. On the Job Eric Escher Marianne King Lindsay Ricker

2. Defining your duties and Routines • Your first few days on the Job • Define your duties • What do you do and what do you assign to support personnel • Ask well-thought-out and specific questions • Avoid acting dazed and confused

3. Defining your duties and Routines • The Job Description • Usually very broad language • Might have to rely on own judgement

4. The Workday • As a new employee you’ll want to be one of the first ones in • However some bosses like to be the first one in to assign work to employees as they come in

5. The Workday • So how do you know when to come in? • Ask your peers • Gradually advance your start time by coming in earlier and earlier • You will learn whether it’s a group of ambitious juniors who are in first or if it’s just you and your boss

6. The Workday • Some things to consider • Most firms expect you at your desk by 8 A.M. • 9 A.M. in cities where everyone commutes (e.g. New York) • Junior staff usually arrives before senior staff

7. The Workday • What time do you leave? • Cultural norm to stay until a certain time whether or not you have productive work • Do not follow this • Must adapt to firms style

8. The Workday • Employees with Children • Leave at set time everyday • Employees without Children • Extra work • Comp day

9. The Workday • The Workday by hours • Big rush early in day (e.g. Investment banking) • Late afternoon- mid-level managers come out of meetings and assign new work to employees, who are expected to stay late • Don’t waste time in middle of the day lull

10. The Workday • The Workday by hours • Take breaks • Work will be more efficient • Avoid burnout

11. Life in a “Cube” • The Cubicle • Cheap • Can expand or contract various work groups • Hope open environment will promote collaboration

12. Life in a “Cube” • The Cubicle • Loss of privacy • Unwritten codes to tell when a person is unavailable

13. Orientation • The process of educating a new employee about a firm. • Overview of the firm, its history, and policies. • Can be formal, structured program, or a process that a new hire must manage for himself/herself.

14. Topics covered in Orientation • Security and Access • Time and Record Keeping • Sexual Harassment Training • Parking and Transportation • Business Dining • Business Travel

15. Topics covered in Orientation (continued) • Using Company Resources • Document Policies • Confidentiality • Insurance Benefits • Pension Benefits • Club Memberships • Educational Benefits

16. Time Management • Important issues for successful time management • Don’t waste time • Examples of time wasters: • Opening mail • Chatting with colleagues • Long phone calls • YouTube - Ice cream Mr burns

17. Successful Time Management (continued) • Review your schedule • Make an assessment of tasks you plan to complete for the day • “Tasks” or “To Do” Lists • Distinguish between urgent and important

18. Successful Time Management (continued) • Balance short tasks and major projects • “do it now” tasks • Break down large projects into stages and develop a timeline • Take a moment to plan for the next day • Be punctual for meetings

19. Conflicts between Tasks • Begin negotiations early with co-workers • Engage your supervisor

20. Managing Your Boss • Diagnose your boss’s style • Preferred method of communication • Does your boss prefer regular, semi-informal meetings? • Paraphrase

21. Managing Your Boss • No one likes surprises! • Communicate struggles promptly. • Foreshadow the problem • “Lets talk about the new building – we are having problems staying on budget.” • Keep your boss up-to-date. • No grandstanding! • Seek help early.

22. Managing Your Boss • Learn your boss’s style. • Status • Range of Options • Proposals • Challenging Your Ideas (No offense!) • Feedback on Success. • Frequent Feedback • Simple Thank You • Constant Coaching and Feedback!

23. Managing Your Boss • Learn how your boss deals with adversity. • Don’t take his criticisms personally. • Warn new employees. • Keep a professional and calm demeanor.

24. Managing Your Boss • Time to let go! • Find another position • Be careful finding positions in the same company. • Be prepared. • “It is true I am looking for a new position. I’d be better suited for a job in investments given my finance background, so I mentioned my interest.”

25. Getting Ahead • Develop good working relationships. • Understand differing value systems • You are not expected to stay at the same job for 15 years. • Don’t stagnate; take on new challenges to master new skills.

26. Getting Ahead: Value Diversity • The US is a meritocracy. • The brightest people get ahead. • No one is excluded based on irrelevant criteria (Age, Gender, Race, Religion). • Fundamental to our economic growth! • Again, no hasty generalizations.

27. Getting Ahead • Most firms have an annual formal review process. • Self-Review • Define accomplishments and improvements. • 360-degree Review • Coworkers, subordinates, and customers. • Presents you criticisms • Correct errors without getting defensive.

28. Getting Ahead • Dealing with problem situations • Add positive spin. • Ex. “This is what we have learned, here is what we will do differently next time.” • Initial Job Reviews • Usually after 3 or 6 months. • Used to terminate employees that don’t fit. • Allows fit employees an opportunity to learn what more they can do. • Preparation for annual review.

29. Getting Ahead: Practical Advice • Your boss keeps delaying your review. • Your salary depends on the review. • Negative feedback for being pushy. • Be Neutral • Don’t schedule your review during tax season. • Ex. “I know we’ve been busy preparing our financials, but it is past my review date. Could we schedule it for early next month? I can begin working on my new objectives now.”

30. Bon Voyage! • It is time to say “Goodbye!” • Graduate School • Change location • New experience • Employment At Will • Give notice • Maintain professionalism • Bring closure to projects • Exit interview: “It’s nice to be nice.”