Corporate survival guide for your twenties: a guide to help you navigate the business world

TABLE OF CONTENTSFOREWORD - 1.	INTRODUCTION2.	STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOTTalk to your boss about your career goals.Dress accordingly. Read up on your industry daily. Learn some basic e-mail etiquette. Take all the free training courses available to you. Arrive on time to meetings and pay attention.Give people a chance. Don't be so quick to judge others.Get yourself some business cards.Set up a 401k. Right now. There's nothing more beautiful than compound interest.3.	GETTING PEOPLE TO LIKE YOU Don't ever make it seem like you're perfect. Be yourself, not a robot.Don't be afraid to have a sense of humor.Share your drunken weekend stories with your friends, not your coworkers. Be positive. Use thank you cards.Leave your personal drama at the door.Don't eat other people's food. The break room refrigerator isn't a free buffet. 4.	MAKING THE WORKDAY ENJOYABLEHave a pretty desk. Go for walks when you need to clear your mind.Set aside time each day for some quiet reflection.Don't eat lunch at your desk. Find ways to make people happier. Learn to bake.5.	EARNING YOUR BOSS' RESPECTIf you say you're going to do something, do it. Ask lots of questions. Don't worry about sounding annoying.Never ever ever lie. If your boss can't trust you, you might as well show yourself out the door.  Ask for new opportunities, don't just wait for them to be given to you. Stand up for yourself when you need to. Demand the respect you deserve. Showing up to work isn't enough. You need to be mentally present. Own up to your mistakes. Offer solutions instead of just complaining. 6.	DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLEDon't make enemies unless you absolutely have to.Don't kill anyone. You're going to want to sometimes, but don't.Learn from your terrible bosses. Remember- anything you put in writing STAYS in writing. FOREVER.Understand that some people will hate you for no reason. Don't let them bother you one bit. Accept the fact that you can't please everyone.Don't take everything personally. 7.	STAYING SANE Have something to look forward to outside of work.Exercise. Don't be afraid to say no. Prioritize your work. Invest in a coffee maker. Don't sweat the small stuff. If it won't matter 5 years from now, let it go. Human Resources is just that- a RESOURCE. Use them. 8.	GROWING AS A PROFESSIONALUnderstand that there's stuff to be learned from ANY job you have.Ask for constructive feedback.Join a committee and meet new people. Find people who you respect and admire and reach out to them for guidance.Share your knowledge with others.Embrace diversity. Don't be afraid to voice a different opinion.When you meet new people, ask them how they started their careers.Know that you don't need to be an a-hole to be taken seriously. 9.	MANAGING YOUR CAREERUnderstand when and how you're most productive. Perfect the art of time-management. Recognize your weaknesses and actively work on them.Keep a portfolio of all your important projects/accomplishments.Have an updated resume available at all times.Set up a LinkedIn account and update it whenever possible. Network your ass off. Understand that success is never going to be handed to you. 10.	CHANGING JOBSUnderstand that your first job won't always be your dream job, and that's perfectly ok. When making career decisions, don't make them for anyone other than yourself.Don't take jobs just for the money. If you hate your job, don't just quit right away.Leave jobs gracefully, without burning bridges.Remember- it's never too late to change careers. Push yourself out of your comfort zone.