Blog: 5 tips for graduates entering the world of full-time employment

Much as you’re enjoying your time at UoB, life moves on and exciting new chapters await you. This year, next year — whenever — you will graduate and enter the world of full-time paid employment. Being a UoB Graduate certainly gives you a head start: we are, after all, the first-choice for top graduate employers seeking to recruit. As someone who recently retired after 40 years of full-time work, here are my top tips for making the transition from student to paid employee. Why do you need to read this? Because the transition may not be as simple as you think! 

Top Tip 1: Change your mindset

Here at UoB you’re valued for who you are, no questions asked, and the focus is on your growth and welfare. In the world of full-time work, the dynamic shifts. You have to earn respect — and you primarily do that by demonstrating that you are worth the company investing in you. To put it another way, at UoB you pay the University for what it can give to you: in the world of work, the company pays you because of what they expect you can give to them. It’s a different mindset! So, it’s a good discipline at the start of each working day to set out to demonstrate your value. How? By completing tasks within the set deadlines; turning up to meetings on time; answering emails promptly; being willing to go the extra mile when the opportunity arises. If each day you work to impress, then you give yourself the best chance of making an impact and showing you’re a valuable member of the team.

Top Tip 2: Make sure your employer’s core values match your own

To be honest, this isn’t easy to do — unless you identify your own core values before you go for interview (and if you haven't already, you really should!). What kind of core values are we talking about? These will vary from person to person, but often include: respect for individuals, respect for the environment, respect for high ethical standards. It’s worth looking up an organisation’s values on their website (as many publish these openly) to give you a sense of whether their culture aligns with what matters to you. You’re quite within your rights to ask about these things during your job interview. It makes a strong impression, plus it shows that you understand your own boundaries and recognise what you need to do your best work. Just do your homework first so you’re clear in your own mind what really matters to you.

Top Tip 3: Don’t be afraid to turn a job offer down if you feel uneasy

This is a tough piece of advice to follow, particularly in today’s highly competitive job market. Let’s just say I learned the hard way that it’s much better to listen to your doubts rather than to accept a job hoping for the best. Yes, it’s tough being unemployed, still on the relentless treadmill of job applications. But, believe me, it’s even tougher when you’ve moved across the country, taken out a lease on a rented flat and only then discover that you’ve committed to be in an unbearably toxic workplace.

You won’t know everything about a job upfront, but pay attention to how you feel during the recruitment process. Do their expectations make sense? Does the team seem genuinely supportive? Can you honestly picture yourself thriving there? Do yourself a favour: listen carefully to your gut feelings before you finally sign the contract.

Top Tip 4: Build a support network in and around your workplace

Starting full-time work can feel like a big adjustment, and one of the best ways to navigate it is by surrounding yourself with people who can listen to you and help you grow: peers, colleagues, mentors, friends and family. If you’re offered a mentor or ‘work buddy’ then truly welcome their help and advice. You aren’t expected to be an expert from day one, but you will need to show that you are actively seeking to learn how to do your job better, and collaborating with a mentor is one of the best ways to demonstrate this. Similarly, if there are peer support groups or professional organisations available, then join them. The more you actively learn from others working in your field, the quicker you will demonstrate your expertise and feel secure in your new role.

Top Tip 5: Think about the kind of life you want to build long term

Again, this might not be high on your agenda at the moment — but think about it. If you make a success of your probationary period, you’re likely to be offered a permanent contract. Your job will set the tone for your routines and lifestyle, so, it’s worth thinking ahead and working out what you ideally want to achieve at the milestone moments of your life (maybe by the time you’re 30, 40 and 50). This is not just in terms of career progression, but also in terms of health, relationships, interests and work/life balance. Believe me, if you don’t take charge of your own life, then work has a nasty habit of taking charge of it for you. But remember, don't put pressure on yourself or feel disappointed if you don't reach your goals by certain ages; they should be there to inspire you and help with decision-making in the present, not cause stress for you about the future. Your job can be hugely rewarding and with clear boundaries you can prevent it taking up all the available space — allowing you to build your career alongside the many life-giving things you enjoy as a human being.

I hope these top tips will prove helpful to you and wish you all the best as you join the world of work!

Written by Robin Lapwood