Welcome to the second half of the year.

Yup, folks, it is July, 2008– which means the year is half way over. What have you done?

Honestly.

At work you may be starting your mid-year evaluation. Re-evaluating objectives, duties, tactics. While this is important for professional development and planning, why not create a mid-year evaluation for your personal self? Perhaps by evaluating your personal self and striving to meet personalized goals- in the same way you try to meet your professional goals-may make you more productive.

When I let myself “float along,” simply living each day without a bigger goal or purpose, I feel undirected. Of course I always strive to “try my hardest”- but when this is not defined I let myself slide. For me, this means defining my passions-even planning my social and family time or writing down specific personal objectives.

The good thing is our purposes are dynamic. They change with time, relationships and responsibilities.

I’m not sure what my purpose(s) is, but by defining what I want to include and exclude in my life, I have narrowed my ideas on how I spend my time so I can become the person I want to be.

Here are some general ideas about what I want and like to do, and how I made them more purposeful:

-Exercising. Entered in a race in July.

-Spending more time with my family. Going home more often to spend time with family, calling home once a day.

-Caring for the surroundings-people, planet. Volunteering, mindful of recycling/greener options.

-Keeping up with friends. Call, send formal email (instead of casual facebook messages).

What is your purpose(s)? Think about it. Then define it. Then do it.

-Carla

I have recently been debating the advantages of applying to small companies versus big companies. Being the typical Millennial, I’ve always imagined myself at some wonderfully prominent, ever-expanding company that everyone would “oooh” and “ahhh” over when I announced I’d found a job there. I’d have a great big salary, tons of advancement opportunities and the right to be pretentious. Oh, the joys of working for a big company! I quickly discovered, however, that things aren’t usually what they seem.

Throughout my job hunt, I found the bigger companies are the worst at several things: being upfront with you, getting back to you quickly (or at all) and acting as if you’re actually important to them. After interviewing for almost two months and not actually receiving any offers, I naturally have been getting frustrated. How dare these people not get back to me even though I interviewed over two weeks ago! Don’t they know who I am? No, actually, they don’t. And they don’t necessarily care to find out. After all, if I give up and start looking somewhere else, they have a list of fifty others willing to take my place. With the economy in a downward spiral, the corporations definitely have the power.

After this frustration, I decided to apply to a smaller company of about thirty people. I got an interview a few days later, with the president of the company, and a job offer within a week. A whole new world opened before my eyes. There are places where people actually like potential employees and tell them they can make a significant impact on the company? Places where people will actually fight to have you join the staff? Is this possible?

It is, and I’m glad to say I’ve found such a place.

- Haley

As most of Life Before Noon has already done, I will follow suit and describe my first few days on the job. It began on Wednesday. Like Rachel I prepared the night before - deciding what to wear and making sure I packed all the documents I would need when I went to the Personnel Department first thing in the morning. Unlike what some of my fellow bloggers experienced I had the fortune of only having to walk to work. A five minute walk, short elevator ride and there I was.

Things took a slight turn after that.

Reaching the 18 floor only then did I realize that I needed to sign in with reception before going into the elevator. I soon understood that all the doors leading to the different departments of the organization have a security block that requires a chip in order for the door to open. Instead of bothering with proper protocol I went straight up and proceeded to knock on the doors until I was let in.

All was going smoothly until I was asked for my passport.

Oops. Setback number two.

Finally, I headed to my floor. I met with my boss and we began discussing the various projects I would work on, the organizational culture, etc. She then started explaining some politics and the organization’s hierarchy - in Bosnian. Needless to say I was lost, so she began again, this time in English.

The rest of the day passed without any major setbacks. I now know that when leaving or entering the office I have to check my security chip, I know that the bathroom door opens by pushing a button located in the office and I know that I love Post-it notes. I have them all over my computer with tid-bits reminding me of phone numbers and e-mails.

My case of the Wednesdays ended way before I took a bat to the fax machine and although I’ve only been at this for three days and I still have two days of training this week, I believe that I’m slowly beginning to get the hang of things. By asking questions, not being afraid to make a fool of myself (which I have), and paying attention to what I’ve been told, I’m managing to get by, even in Bosnian.

-Aida

At an after-work function last week, a colleague (it still feels weird for me to say that) was discussing a recent issue he had with a parent of a prospective student. He was appalled that this student’s parent was doing all the work for him — calling about this and that — when the student should be the one taking the initiative to get the questions he had answered himself. After this little rant several of my co-workers just looked at each other and in unison shook their heads and simply said one word, “Millennials.”

It got me thinking.

Being a Generation Y blogger and all, I should have been well aware of what I was getting myself into. Perhaps I’m just naive, okay really naive, but I entered my first post-grad job not concerned with a potential divide that could exist between the Baby Boomer generation and the Millennials. (And for that matter, where do those angst-ridden Generation Xers come into play?) But the truth is an (typically) unspoken rift between the old and the new thrives in the workplace. That’s life, kid.

If I had a nickel for every computer tip I’ve given in the last three weeks, well let’s just say, I’d have a lot of nickels. But technology isn’t the only thing we’re good at. Despite what you may think, some of us can take constructive criticism and accept failure as a possiblity. And most of us certainly wouldn’t allow our parents to do the talking for us.

Stereotypes exist. And I’m not out to become some beacon of hope for my fellow Millennials and launch some overzealous political movement fighting for right to party. But I hate being la bled as a self-involved whiner who needs to be spoon-fed success in order to sleep at night.

Not all of us were given trophies just for participating in Little League. Some of us got them for actually being able to hit a ball every now and then.

-Marilyn

So, I landed a job and now there’s no turning back. The New York Times published an article last week about this very situation, college graduates who have had the last summer vacation of their lives. It all sounds very traumatic, and overdramatic. And I can’t help but hear an alarm going off in my mind. There’s this small sense of panic, maybe even claustrophobia.

But, in my new reality, there’s no room for panic. Even when the alarm is ringing at full force, I’ve got to get up, get dressed and get to work.

It was in my first week of work, when I boarded my very first Washington, D.C. metrobus, that I realized public transportation really is the embodiment of this new life.

Navigating the bus line is my Everest. When I have successfully mastered it, I believe I will finally be able to relax and set my panic at ease. (Biking is reserved for year two).

The bus is a complicated system of turns, colors and timing (albeit, fairly inaccurate timing). Mastering it is a true, never-ending test of patience. Some days I’m tapping my foot and anxiously checking my watch. I’ll hop on any bus that comes my way. I’m desperate.

Other days, I’m riding easy with space and time to spare.

Sometimes, I’m crammed up against all kinds of people like a sardine. Obsessively thinking about how I can’t wait to get to work and wash my hands.

But, isn’t that life? I may be rushing through projects, desperate to get things done, desperate to succeed - to prove to myself (and others) that I was hired for a reason. I might be crossing my fingers in hopes that the right thing comes along at the right time.

Or, I may be crammed back in a corner, with a full schedule and a full plate, pushing myself out the door to “freedom.”

Or, I may be rested and relaxed taking it all in stride and calmly getting it done. 

Sometimes, I might be going at it alone. Other times I may be seated alongside someone who’s in it with me.

Oh and some days I may be onboard the bus with a sleepy driver who slams on brakes causing me to be thrown across my seat and slammed up against a divider. I won’t even plunge into the wealth of metaphors that situation provides.

This is the metrobus that is my life.

-Rachel

You have officially moved into your new city post-graduation. Congratulations! You have a handle on the commute, the corporate culture and your daily tasks. You are on the path to success.

And then Friday night rolls around. Crap.

You have no social life.

Maintaining a work/life balance is important, especially when moving to a new city. Friends may be difficult to find, and finding good friends who share similar values and work ethic is even harder.

But finding those friends isn’t as hard as you think. It just takes stepping outside your comfort zone to make connections. Here are some guidelines I follow:

1. Talk to people. It’s that simple. Waiting for the subway, tell the girl standing next to you that you like her scarf. Talk about the weather to the guy in line next to you. It may seem uncomfortable at first, but it can be a good networking exercise as well. Disclaimer: don’t be a creeper, just be social.
2. Be open to different types of friends. That’s what moving to a different city is about. Talk to a variety of people. Just because you had a certain “type” of friend at home or in school doesn’t mean you can’t make very different friendships in your new home.
3. Don’t sit at home. You work hard and want to relax. Go to a coffee shop and read. Sit in a park, go to the gym, take a walk. Put yourself in a social atmosphere and cancel that date with your TV and Ben & Jerry’s. Then follow #1.
4. Be friendly, but not too friendly with co-workers. Spending time outside the office with co-workers may increase camaraderie, but don’t let it interfere with your professional life in the office.
5. Don’t wait for the bar. Chances are you may make some friends at the bar. Just don’t wait to go out on Friday or Saturday night to make friends.
6. Maintain your friendships from home. Continue to maintain your friends from school and home. With ever-changing social media it is easy to stay connected despite distance.

Solid friendships may be hard to come by, but by putting yourself in different social situations it may become easier.

-Carla

While watching the news recently, I saw a report about the funniest, and most creative, way to post your resume – wear it.

DamnINeedAJob.com, a new Web site that’s all about the job hunt, allows people to create a shirt which boasts their skills and abilities, just like a resume. The $25 shirt, written as a type of cover letter, includes text chosen by the buyer and even starts with a hand-picked salutation. And to make sure no potential employer misses the message, the shirt boldly displays the words, “Damn, I Need A Job. Know of Anything?” across its front.

The creator, who seems to prefer being anonymous- I couldn’t find his name anywhere on the Web site- is completely changing the way people look for jobs, while at the same time poking fun at the “your next employer could be anywhere” mentality. He says the shirts attract so much attention that he’s started carrying around resumes to hand people who are interested.

Several new features have been added as the Web site gains popularity, including a blog, discussion forum for the unemployed and DamnINeedMoney.com, a collection of articles and other resources for those finding the job hunt difficult and tedious.

No word on if the idea has actually landed him a job, but I think he should get props for sheer creativity.

-Haley

I recently read the post, ˝Do You Have Regrets? What Should You Tell Your College Self?˝ by Tiffany Monhollon from Personal PR. I really enjoyed Tiffany’s ideas on what she would tell her college self. Many of her ideas are what I too would tell myself.

In particular what struck me was the section on ‘Broaden your horizons’ because it is a situation that I am in right now. No matter what happens abroad, I know that I can go back to Virginia and live with my parents and try something else if the international experience ends up not being up my alley. It’s the opportunity to try something different without too many repercussions is what makes the position that much more appealing.

Tiffany ends the post by asking what would we tell our college selves now. I would tell myself to take more chances. It’s not that I really regret anything that I’ve done or haven’t done, but if I could go back I would do so much more, whether it ended up being good or bad to just at least try it. The things that matter to me the most are what Tiffany writes about with relationships. The people I met throughout college are what I will remember the most, not the statistics test or environmental science lab. The good, bad and ugly relationships that developed during college are something that I will always keep with me.

Even though it would be fabulous to go back, it’s also good to take note and make the future that much better, knowing what we know now. I can’t go back to being 19 and terrified of what lies ahead, but I can realize what has and hasn’t worked and make my new chapter that much more memorable- and have this really be the best time of my life.

-Aida

As you can tell from the past couple of posts on LBN, some of us are starting our first post-grad jobs. And while Rachel’s last post gave us a play by play of those first crucial days and how to expect the often overlooked (i.e. bus schedules and the tasks your boss will throw at you to “get your feet wet”), I thought I would take a look at some tips to help you manage the more typical aspects of your first week on the job.

We all know the advice for prepping pre-first day — do your research, dress appropriately, etc. But what about the specifics? Filling out tax forms and the countless stacks of paper work HR hands you that first day can be daunting, and if you’re anything like me, a little over your head (I’m still not entirely sure what a 401K is). Hopefully some of this advice that I’ve received from employers, friends and the blogging community will help ease some of those first-week jitters.

1. Listen at orientation.It can be tempting to zone out when the rep from HR covers your IRA plan for the fourth time, but it’s probably not a good idea. The information they’re covering is seriously important and it’s nice to have a better understanding of all the unfamiliar terms and policies. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. I had my rep triple check the forms I gave her just to make sure I comprehended exactly what I was signing.

2. Take notes. Every meeting you have, every tour you get, every random piece of advice your coworkers give you — jot it down. You don’t know what is what, so write down anything you hear. It’s better to have too much info than not enough.

3. Start building relationships with your coworkers.First impressions count. Try and meet everyone you can but make a genuine effort to get to know them. No doubt you’ll be introduced to the ones you’ll interact with on a more consistent basis, but go out of your way to set up a coffee date with the ones you necessarily won’t.

4. Soak it all in. Your first week is for you to have a chance to observe your work environment and let it really sink in. It will be filled with a ton of education and discovery about your position and the company, and it can be overwhelming, so try to take it one thing at a time.

As a first timer entering your first legit 40 hours per week, you’ll realize that your college degree does little to help prepare your for that first week. Since when was the last time you consulted your PR Design Guide for tips on how to operate the fax machine? But that is one of the good things about the new kid — most companies will take the time to train you appropriately so you’re not expected to run down the specs on a process simplification project right away. They get that you’re the new kid and you’re allowed time to figure things out for yourself. Be proactive in making that first week count and you’ll be well on your way to having a successful first two weeks.

-Marilyn

Sunday, June 8. Workday eve.

It’s the eve of my first day of work. My outfit is laid out, including my summertime slingbacks. I’ve read the first of my orientation materials, rounded up the necessary documents and planned out my commute. I imagined being more nervous. But, I’m going back to where I interned last summer. So, I’m already a little ahead of the game.

Monday, June 9. The first day, accompanied by a complementary heat wave.

I got on the wrong bus. But, I wasn’t too far off. I ended up with an unexpected speed walking session. Thanks to the intense D.C. summer heat, it took me the first hour of orientation to cool off. Only 58 minutes after my photo was taken and distributed in a bulk e-mail to the whole office.

A review of company policies, a Peruvian lunch and my first RFP filled up my afternoon.

Tuesday, June 10: The conference call.

I got on the right bus, but got off one stop too early. Practice makes perfect, right?

I arrived early for my first conference call as a full-time hire. I was the designated note taker. I sat anxiously in the room alone for a few minutes. I was dreading someone coming on the line before there was another person in the room with me. This morning, luck was on my side.

Working for a global company, I understand the necessity of conference calling. Especially working with a mix of generations and cultures, communicating strictly via e-mail could be problematic. Although in some cases conference calling can be unproductive (as can any meeting), there are ways to maximize  productivity.

Even though I’ve been part of conference calls, there’s added pressure in my new position. I need to summon the courage to contribute meaningfully. Plus, I’m still not sure of the conference call etiquette.

I imagine there’s much more of the same ahead of, and many more unexpected things as well. I bet next week I’ll have the bus all figured out…

Rachel