FROM GRADUATION TO CORPORATION Author Continues Successful College Lecture Tour
Career advice author Andy Teach's college lecture tour teaches students how to get a job and keep it in today's tough economy.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 27, 2009 – Andy Teach, a 27-year corporate veteran and author of the career advice book FROM GRADUATION TO CORPORATION: THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CLIMBING THE CORPORATE LADDER ONE RUNG AT A TIME, continues his successful college lecture tour in the 2009-2010 school year. Working closely with Career Centers and student organizations, he has spoken at several universities and colleges including California Lutheran University, Cal State Northridge, The Claremont Colleges, Loyola Marymount University, Point Loma Nazarene University, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, USC Annenberg, and Whittier College. He is also scheduled to speak at several schools in 2010.
Teach covers several topics in his lecture, ranging from good vs. bad résumés, job interviewing, networking, dealing with difficult bosses and co-workers, dress codes, staying organized, office romance, standing up to the boss, and the generation gap at work. Teach also discusses some of his 72 corporate commandments, including: keep your supervisor informed of your progress, remember that one of your main jobs is to make the boss's job easier, it doesn’t matter how smart you are if you miss a deadline, and do whatever it takes to get the job done.
"I wrote this book, in part, as a vehicle which would allow me to have direct contact with my audience. There is no substitute for face-to-face communication and it gives me great pleasure when I can speak directly with college students. When they come up to me after a lecture and thank me for my time and for helping them in their job search, it makes it all worthwhile."
What makes this book and lecture unique is that its author not only gives us his candid account of his climb up the corporate ladder, but he also discusses the factors behind his fall from the top rungs, so that young people can learn from his long practical experience.
Teach’s college lecture tour has been well received by Career Center staff and students.
From Career Center staff:
"Thank you for presenting such an engaging and informative presentation. From cross-generational dynamics to office etiquette, you really provided valuable advice.”
"It was my pleasure to host you on campus and I know that students benefited tremendously from your career advice.”
"The ‘thank you’ goes to you for giving of your time to speak to our students and providing them with great advice. It certainly reflects your commitment and value for helping others. I particularly enjoyed hearing about your career path and the lessons that you learned along the way."
From Students:
"Very informative. A wake up call."
"The tips on closing the generation gap were very helpful. I liked the advice about networking and getting to know the people you are working with."
"Very down-to-earth with personal experiences. Enjoyed the types of bosses and employees discussion."
"The personal stories made the lecture more engaging. The resume and cover letter tips were especially useful and had parts that I had not known before."
"Andy Teach touches on many areas of the workplace that are a mystery for college students. The most helpful was his advice on office etiquette."
About Author Andy Teach
Teach graduated from Rutgers College with B.A. degrees in Business Administration and Human Communications. After working for two New York ad agencies and a Los Angeles television production company, he worked at a major television and motion picture studio in the research department for 23 years, earning six promotions from clerk to vice-president.
Teach has appeared as a guest and commentator on the nationally syndicated Cable Radio Network and also on the popular late-night syndicated radio show hosted by Michael Dresser "Dresser After Dark." He also serves the television industry as a research consultant. He is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS).
If you are interested in having Andy Teach speak at your school, email him at teachandyt@aol.com with “Career Advice Lecture” in the subject line.
For more information about the author, please go to his website at http://www.onerungatatime.com
From Graduation to Corporation 284-page paperback: $17.95
Published by AuthorHouse
Available for purchase on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/GRADUATION-CORPORATION-PRACTICAL-C ... and barnesandnoble.com: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/From-Graduation-to-Corp ... ISBN-10: 1-4389-3063-1; ISBN-13: 978-1-4389-3063-3
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
This guest blog is reprinted from www.talkingaboutgenerations.com/
THE GENERATION GAP AT WORK
By Andy Teach
It’s funny how sometimes we miss the most obvious things in the workplace. I was an executive in the entertainment industry for over 25 years. As a Baby Boomer, I managed many members of Generation Y during that time. If I had any difficulties managing a Gen Y’er, I always assumed that it was because of gender or cultural differences. It was only after I began writing my Gen Y career advice book that I realized that some of the difficulties arose because of generational differences.
In most workplaces, there are three or even four different generations working together, or at least trying to work together. I’ve seen studies indicating that many members of each generation simply don’t respect, understand, or communicate with members of other generations and this obviously hurts productivity. I believe one way of overcoming this obstacle is simply to try and understand where each generation is coming from in terms of how they were brought up, the historical events that affected them, and what their priorities are.
Members of the oldest generation, known as The Matures or the Radio generation (some grew up before television was invented), are about 65 years old or older and they grew up during tough times-The Great Depression and WWII. They have a very strong work ethic, are loyal to their employer, and expect the same from their employees. The Baby Boomers (there was a big baby boom right after WWII) range in age from their mid-forties to mid-sixties and grew up during the 1950’s Cold War and the turbulent 1960’s. We have a very strong work ethic and sometimes judge our success by how many hours we work each week. We are also very loyal to our employer. Generation X (also known as the MTV generation) is between approximately30 and 44 years old and grew up during the Reagan years and the Gulf War. They were the first generation to avoid the do-or-die Baby Boomer work ethic and are more loyal to the person and not the employer. The youngest generation is Generation Y (also known as The Millennials) and its members are between 9 and 29 years old. They grew up during the New Millennium which included the events of 9/11. Gen Y is the most technologically advanced generation ever but has a reputation for being entitlement focused, for switching jobs often, and for wanting a balance between work and life.
Speaking of technology, I grew up with slide rulers instead of calculators, big black and white television sets instead of sleek high-definition color TV’s, AM radio and record players instead of iPods, typewriters instead of computers, and no fax machines, internet, cell phones or Blackberry’s. Yes, times have changed and for the better and I for one don’t take things like the internet for granted because it wasn’t around for a good part of my career.
One example of generational differences occurred when I gave one of my Gen Y employees their yearly performance review. It was a very positive review but I did have some criticisms of the employee and I found out that a year later, this employee was still dwelling on the criticisms. At first, I thought that they were just being too sensitive and then I realized that many members of Gen Y are brought up with a lot of praise from parents, teachers, and sports coaches. Many Millennials got sports or school trophies for just participating (hence, they are also known as The Trophy Generation) while my generation had to actually win something to get a trophy! Some Millennials are just not used to being criticized and when they are, they don’t know how to react. My advice to Millennials is not to take criticism at work personally-everyone gets criticized. Listen carefully to your boss’s criticism and if you agree with it, tell your boss that. If you don’t, you can respectfully disagree. Your boss is not only looking to see if you are going to improve but also to see how you react to the criticism.
My point is that every generation is brought up differently and has different ideas and expectations of what their jobs are going to be like. If you are a member of Gen Y or Gen X and you work for a Baby Boomer and they’re all about making work their first priority, then you should know that they will most likely expect the same from you. It is equally important for Baby Boomers to understand where Gen Y and Gen X employees are coming from and try and take their needs into account. Don’t let age differences get in the way at work-embrace them instead. Get to know people from other generations by observing them, speaking with them, and learning from them. You’ll be glad you did.
Andy Teach is the author of the new career advice book, From Graduation To Corporation.
THE GENERATION GAP AT WORK
By Andy Teach
It’s funny how sometimes we miss the most obvious things in the workplace. I was an executive in the entertainment industry for over 25 years. As a Baby Boomer, I managed many members of Generation Y during that time. If I had any difficulties managing a Gen Y’er, I always assumed that it was because of gender or cultural differences. It was only after I began writing my Gen Y career advice book that I realized that some of the difficulties arose because of generational differences.
In most workplaces, there are three or even four different generations working together, or at least trying to work together. I’ve seen studies indicating that many members of each generation simply don’t respect, understand, or communicate with members of other generations and this obviously hurts productivity. I believe one way of overcoming this obstacle is simply to try and understand where each generation is coming from in terms of how they were brought up, the historical events that affected them, and what their priorities are.
Members of the oldest generation, known as The Matures or the Radio generation (some grew up before television was invented), are about 65 years old or older and they grew up during tough times-The Great Depression and WWII. They have a very strong work ethic, are loyal to their employer, and expect the same from their employees. The Baby Boomers (there was a big baby boom right after WWII) range in age from their mid-forties to mid-sixties and grew up during the 1950’s Cold War and the turbulent 1960’s. We have a very strong work ethic and sometimes judge our success by how many hours we work each week. We are also very loyal to our employer. Generation X (also known as the MTV generation) is between approximately30 and 44 years old and grew up during the Reagan years and the Gulf War. They were the first generation to avoid the do-or-die Baby Boomer work ethic and are more loyal to the person and not the employer. The youngest generation is Generation Y (also known as The Millennials) and its members are between 9 and 29 years old. They grew up during the New Millennium which included the events of 9/11. Gen Y is the most technologically advanced generation ever but has a reputation for being entitlement focused, for switching jobs often, and for wanting a balance between work and life.
Speaking of technology, I grew up with slide rulers instead of calculators, big black and white television sets instead of sleek high-definition color TV’s, AM radio and record players instead of iPods, typewriters instead of computers, and no fax machines, internet, cell phones or Blackberry’s. Yes, times have changed and for the better and I for one don’t take things like the internet for granted because it wasn’t around for a good part of my career.
One example of generational differences occurred when I gave one of my Gen Y employees their yearly performance review. It was a very positive review but I did have some criticisms of the employee and I found out that a year later, this employee was still dwelling on the criticisms. At first, I thought that they were just being too sensitive and then I realized that many members of Gen Y are brought up with a lot of praise from parents, teachers, and sports coaches. Many Millennials got sports or school trophies for just participating (hence, they are also known as The Trophy Generation) while my generation had to actually win something to get a trophy! Some Millennials are just not used to being criticized and when they are, they don’t know how to react. My advice to Millennials is not to take criticism at work personally-everyone gets criticized. Listen carefully to your boss’s criticism and if you agree with it, tell your boss that. If you don’t, you can respectfully disagree. Your boss is not only looking to see if you are going to improve but also to see how you react to the criticism.
My point is that every generation is brought up differently and has different ideas and expectations of what their jobs are going to be like. If you are a member of Gen Y or Gen X and you work for a Baby Boomer and they’re all about making work their first priority, then you should know that they will most likely expect the same from you. It is equally important for Baby Boomers to understand where Gen Y and Gen X employees are coming from and try and take their needs into account. Don’t let age differences get in the way at work-embrace them instead. Get to know people from other generations by observing them, speaking with them, and learning from them. You’ll be glad you did.
Andy Teach is the author of the new career advice book, From Graduation To Corporation.
Friday, April 17, 2009
11 Burning Questions with Andy Teach
Stephanie R. Guzman, News Editor, The Los Angeles Loyolan
Published: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Author of “From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time,” Andy Teach discusses the new corporate America.
This issue, News Editor Stephanie R. Guzman asks Andy Teach about job networking, the problems of shorthand communication and how to handle yourself in the work place. Mr. Teach will be speaking at the Senior and Alumni Career Conference on Saturday April 18, 2009. The event will take place in St. Roberts Auditorium from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1. Describe your book a little bit.
It’s based on my own personal experiences. I’m from an entertainment and advertising background, but the book contains general career advice such as tips on networking and resumes and cover letters. The target audience is anyone in college or five years out of college.
2. Describe a social networking site students should be using.
A great networking site is LinkedIn. It’s very professional and once you connect with one person you can find others to connect with.
3. What would you say to students who are worried their major won’t help them get hired?
Much of what you know about the job you learn on the job. It’s more about the disciplines you’re learning in school: meeting deadlines, working with other people, allocating your time.
4. Besides Web sites, what are some other ways to network?
You have to think outside the box. It may sound strange, but when you go to your doctor or dentist or hygienist, they have patients from so many fields. Ask them to put you in touch with a patient who is in a field you’re interested in. Just call them and ask if it’s possible to speak with them face-to-face.
5. What are some dangers of social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter?
Just make the assumption that anyone from now on who may look to hire you or work with you will have access to your Web site. Especially photos. This means deleting suggestive photos, being fully clothed, no alcohol or drugs. It just gives them an idea of what the person is like.
6. Based on some of your personal experiences, what should young professionals know?
The things they don’t teach you in school. One of the bigger mistakes some younger people from Generation Y make is they want to start changing things right away. But the Baby Boomers like the rules and guidelines already in place for a reason. Gain credibility and then you can start suggesting changes. Do not do that right away.
7. How should one approach constructive criticism?
Some members of Generation Y don’t take constructive criticism well. They take it personally and get defensive. This generation was brought up with a lot of praise. Ask yourself [when receiving constructive criticism] “Are they right?” If they are, tell your supervisor “Yes, I will improve in this area” or if you disagree, say why.
8. What are some other changes you see between the Baby Boomer generation and Generation Y?
Some Generation Y’ers have an entitlement focus. There tends to be more job-hopping and a lack of loyalty. Generation X emphasized a balance between work and life. But all older generations care about is results. That is what your career is going to be judged on.
9. What are some of the changes you see in corporate America?
It’s possible that e-mailing in shorthand with the OMG’s and LOL’s can become the norm in the future. Also, some people are more productive in a less corporate atmosphere. Some atmospheres include beanbags and wearing jeans, which may work for that specific company.
10. Are there downsides to shorthand communication?
It may be more efficient if everyone’s on the same page. My fear is everyone is going to start talking in 140 characters or less, like Twitter. A lot of people feel more comfortable e-mailing or texting, but there is no substitute for face-to-face contact.
11. Can you give some advice to those that are graduating soon?
Your first job isn’t going to be your dream job. If there’s a company you really want to work for, just get in the door at the company. You might even start out as an assistant, but I know former assistants that became presidents of their division. Most important thing is don’t look for a job, look for a career. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you’re not going to be happy.
Stephanie R. Guzman, News Editor, The Los Angeles Loyolan
Published: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Author of “From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time,” Andy Teach discusses the new corporate America.
This issue, News Editor Stephanie R. Guzman asks Andy Teach about job networking, the problems of shorthand communication and how to handle yourself in the work place. Mr. Teach will be speaking at the Senior and Alumni Career Conference on Saturday April 18, 2009. The event will take place in St. Roberts Auditorium from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1. Describe your book a little bit.
It’s based on my own personal experiences. I’m from an entertainment and advertising background, but the book contains general career advice such as tips on networking and resumes and cover letters. The target audience is anyone in college or five years out of college.
2. Describe a social networking site students should be using.
A great networking site is LinkedIn. It’s very professional and once you connect with one person you can find others to connect with.
3. What would you say to students who are worried their major won’t help them get hired?
Much of what you know about the job you learn on the job. It’s more about the disciplines you’re learning in school: meeting deadlines, working with other people, allocating your time.
4. Besides Web sites, what are some other ways to network?
You have to think outside the box. It may sound strange, but when you go to your doctor or dentist or hygienist, they have patients from so many fields. Ask them to put you in touch with a patient who is in a field you’re interested in. Just call them and ask if it’s possible to speak with them face-to-face.
5. What are some dangers of social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter?
Just make the assumption that anyone from now on who may look to hire you or work with you will have access to your Web site. Especially photos. This means deleting suggestive photos, being fully clothed, no alcohol or drugs. It just gives them an idea of what the person is like.
6. Based on some of your personal experiences, what should young professionals know?
The things they don’t teach you in school. One of the bigger mistakes some younger people from Generation Y make is they want to start changing things right away. But the Baby Boomers like the rules and guidelines already in place for a reason. Gain credibility and then you can start suggesting changes. Do not do that right away.
7. How should one approach constructive criticism?
Some members of Generation Y don’t take constructive criticism well. They take it personally and get defensive. This generation was brought up with a lot of praise. Ask yourself [when receiving constructive criticism] “Are they right?” If they are, tell your supervisor “Yes, I will improve in this area” or if you disagree, say why.
8. What are some other changes you see between the Baby Boomer generation and Generation Y?
Some Generation Y’ers have an entitlement focus. There tends to be more job-hopping and a lack of loyalty. Generation X emphasized a balance between work and life. But all older generations care about is results. That is what your career is going to be judged on.
9. What are some of the changes you see in corporate America?
It’s possible that e-mailing in shorthand with the OMG’s and LOL’s can become the norm in the future. Also, some people are more productive in a less corporate atmosphere. Some atmospheres include beanbags and wearing jeans, which may work for that specific company.
10. Are there downsides to shorthand communication?
It may be more efficient if everyone’s on the same page. My fear is everyone is going to start talking in 140 characters or less, like Twitter. A lot of people feel more comfortable e-mailing or texting, but there is no substitute for face-to-face contact.
11. Can you give some advice to those that are graduating soon?
Your first job isn’t going to be your dream job. If there’s a company you really want to work for, just get in the door at the company. You might even start out as an assistant, but I know former assistants that became presidents of their division. Most important thing is don’t look for a job, look for a career. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you’re not going to be happy.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
WHY GENERATION Y SHOULDN’T BE LATE FOR WORK
I read a comment recently from a member of Generation Y that basically asked the question, “What’s the big deal if I come to work at 9:15am, instead of 9 o’clock?” I’m in no way suggesting that this attitude represents an entire generation. In fact, I've observed many Gen Xers and Baby Boomers coming in late so this question really pertains to every generation, not just Generation Y. However, this question does illustrate a lack of understanding of the importance of being on time in the workplace. I do understand that in certain work environments, it’s not a big deal if employees come in a little late but my comments are more focused on a company with a corporate culture. These are just a few reasons why you shouldn’t be late to work.
9:15am soon turns into 9:25am which soon turns into 9:35am, and, well you get my point. If you give someone an inch, they will take a yard. Let’s face it, if you come in a few minutes late and you can get away with it, you might try coming in even later the next day and before you know it, you start arriving at work during lunch. On one hand, your work days will be shorter but on the other hand, your job tenure may be shorter, too.
If you’re constantly allowed to come in late to work, then everyone else will want to, too. Every workplace requires rules and guidelines because it’s important that all members of the team are on the same page and follow those same rules and guidelines. What makes you so special? If the boss allows one employee to come in late, they have to let everyone else come in late and without any set time to begin the work day, mornings could become quite chaotic. “Where’s John?” “Oh, he’s late.” “Where’s Sherry?” “Oh, she’s late.” “What time do you expect them?” “Well, there is no time really, they just get here when they want.” If someone consistently bends or breaks the rules, it becomes more about them and less about the team.
Why tick the boss off first thing in the morning? When you come in late, you will most likely put the boss in a foul mood first thing in the morning. If you’re going to tick the boss off, at least try to do it toward the end of the day. I had an employee who was habitually late and I was ticked off first thing in the morning many times. This hurt our relationship over time and if it’s one relationship you don’t want to hurt, it’s your relationship with your boss.
You may unknowingly be preventing your co-workers or boss from getting their job done. You may not realize that your co-workers or boss may be waiting for you first thing in the morning to complete a project. Perhaps they have a question or need help on something that was discussed the previous day but they can’t proceed without your help. I had a boss who was always late. While it was his prerogative, his tardiness prevented me from completing projects that in the end, would make him look good. Unfortunately, I was not in a position to ask him to come in on time since he may have had a legitimate reason, like a breakfast meeting, for example.
It’s just plain rude to keep people waiting. When you are late for something, whether it’s for work, to a meeting, or for a doctor’s appointment, and you’re keeping people waiting, you’re basically saying that your time is more valuable than theirs. It isn’t. How do you like it when other people keep you waiting and it prevents you from working on something you need to complete?
If you do come in habitually late, just set your alarm clock to go off a few minutes earlier and barring any traffic accidents, sewer main breaks, or alien attacks, you should be on time for work. In fact, you may even consider coming in a few minutes early to catch up on emails and phone calls. Well, I’d like to write some more on this topic but I’m late for a meeting. No big deal, I’m sure they’ll wait for me!
What is your company’s attitude toward employees coming in late?
This article originally appeared on the Generation Y website brazencareerist.com on March 1.
I read a comment recently from a member of Generation Y that basically asked the question, “What’s the big deal if I come to work at 9:15am, instead of 9 o’clock?” I’m in no way suggesting that this attitude represents an entire generation. In fact, I've observed many Gen Xers and Baby Boomers coming in late so this question really pertains to every generation, not just Generation Y. However, this question does illustrate a lack of understanding of the importance of being on time in the workplace. I do understand that in certain work environments, it’s not a big deal if employees come in a little late but my comments are more focused on a company with a corporate culture. These are just a few reasons why you shouldn’t be late to work.
9:15am soon turns into 9:25am which soon turns into 9:35am, and, well you get my point. If you give someone an inch, they will take a yard. Let’s face it, if you come in a few minutes late and you can get away with it, you might try coming in even later the next day and before you know it, you start arriving at work during lunch. On one hand, your work days will be shorter but on the other hand, your job tenure may be shorter, too.
If you’re constantly allowed to come in late to work, then everyone else will want to, too. Every workplace requires rules and guidelines because it’s important that all members of the team are on the same page and follow those same rules and guidelines. What makes you so special? If the boss allows one employee to come in late, they have to let everyone else come in late and without any set time to begin the work day, mornings could become quite chaotic. “Where’s John?” “Oh, he’s late.” “Where’s Sherry?” “Oh, she’s late.” “What time do you expect them?” “Well, there is no time really, they just get here when they want.” If someone consistently bends or breaks the rules, it becomes more about them and less about the team.
Why tick the boss off first thing in the morning? When you come in late, you will most likely put the boss in a foul mood first thing in the morning. If you’re going to tick the boss off, at least try to do it toward the end of the day. I had an employee who was habitually late and I was ticked off first thing in the morning many times. This hurt our relationship over time and if it’s one relationship you don’t want to hurt, it’s your relationship with your boss.
You may unknowingly be preventing your co-workers or boss from getting their job done. You may not realize that your co-workers or boss may be waiting for you first thing in the morning to complete a project. Perhaps they have a question or need help on something that was discussed the previous day but they can’t proceed without your help. I had a boss who was always late. While it was his prerogative, his tardiness prevented me from completing projects that in the end, would make him look good. Unfortunately, I was not in a position to ask him to come in on time since he may have had a legitimate reason, like a breakfast meeting, for example.
It’s just plain rude to keep people waiting. When you are late for something, whether it’s for work, to a meeting, or for a doctor’s appointment, and you’re keeping people waiting, you’re basically saying that your time is more valuable than theirs. It isn’t. How do you like it when other people keep you waiting and it prevents you from working on something you need to complete?
If you do come in habitually late, just set your alarm clock to go off a few minutes earlier and barring any traffic accidents, sewer main breaks, or alien attacks, you should be on time for work. In fact, you may even consider coming in a few minutes early to catch up on emails and phone calls. Well, I’d like to write some more on this topic but I’m late for a meeting. No big deal, I’m sure they’ll wait for me!
What is your company’s attitude toward employees coming in late?
This article originally appeared on the Generation Y website brazencareerist.com on March 1.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"The Corporate Commandments"
This article is reprinted from examiner.com, a website that is affiliated with the national newspaper chain, and it is from Heather Huhman, Entry Level Careers Examiner. She cites my book as "Recommended Reading" and features an article I wrote highlighting 10 of the 72 "Corporate Commandments that are featured in my book.
Recommended reading: From Graduation to Corporation
1 comment
January 25, 9:00 AM
by Heather Huhman, Entry Level Careers Examiner
Making the transition from college life to the workplace isn’t easy. Your body needs to adjust to a regular schedule and any mistakes you make don’t simply result in a lower grade, to name a few of the challenges.
In a recent interview with Andy Teach, author of “From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time,” he offered 10 “corporate commandments” you should follow to transition smoothly, stay on track and get ahead.
1. Don’t just look for a job, look for a career. We probably spend more time at work than anywhere else. If you find a job that you love, it will turn into a career that you love. There is nothing more important than finding a career where you look forward to going to work every day and you look forward to making a contribution every day. Your passion will translate into success and happiness all around.
2. Always think about your work reputation. From the moment you walk in the door at work, you are being judged. How you look, speak, act and write all contribute to how others see you. Don’t give anyone a reason to see you in a negative light. Always act professionally and maturely. Forty years from now, you want to look back at your career and be proud of the one thing that matters most – your reputation.
3. Learn from your mistakes and from the mistakes of others. There’s an old saying, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Everyone makes mistakes. The key is to learn from them. I’ve seen people who made one mistake that cost them their job. If you make a mistake, ask yourself what you did wrong and make a mental note not to repeat it. Observe others, and learn from their mistakes so that you won’t find yourself in the same position.
4. Remember that your job is to make the boss’s job easier. We all have a lot of stress at work, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in our own little world, but you should never forget that you were hired to make the boss’s job easier. Always ask your boss how you can help him or her. Maintain a strong working relationship with your boss at all times, and let them know that they can always count on you.
5. Don’t be late. If you are constantly late for work or to meetings, you’re basically saying that your time is more valuable than everyone else’s. It isn’t. Always remember that you are part of a team, and others are depending on you. Also, if you are late to work then you will most likely make your boss mad, and there’s nothing worse than making your boss mad first thing in the morning.
6. Dress for success. I mentioned earlier how people judge you by the way you look. This may not be fair, but it is true. Who do you think will be seen more as management material, the person who dresses in a business suit or the person who wears jeans and sneakers? Don’t dress like your peers – dress like the people in managerial positions. Dress for the position you want, not the one you have.
7. It doesn’t matter how smart you are if you miss a deadline. I’ve had employees who graduated from extremely prestigious universities have problems making deadlines because they were slow and unorganized, despite their intelligence. It doesn’t matter how great your work is if you miss a deadline. Always allocate more than enough time when working on projects, and if you think you may not make a deadline, inform your boss as soon as possible.
8. Attention to detail is everything. In any job, accuracy is crucial. Always re-read and proof any e-mails or reports you write, and do it a few times. You should strive for 100 percent accuracy all the time and be hard on yourself if any errors see the light of day. Why? Because someone reading your work will assume that if there’s one mistake, there might be others, and you don’t want them questioning your abilities after you’ve worked so hard on a project.
9. Always initiate. A supervisor will always be impressed if you do things that they don’t ask you to do, in addition to your daily responsibilities. Initiation can separate you from the rest of the employees at work who only do what they are asked to do. When it comes time to be considered for a promotion, who do you think has a better chance, the person who just executes, or the person who both executes and initiates?
10. Be patient when it comes to career advancement. Younger people have a reputation for wanting to move up the corporate ladder quickly and for switching jobs often. Don’t be in a rush. If you are constantly changing jobs, you are losing out on valuable experience. Also, if an employer sees on your résumé that you don’t stay with any one job for a reasonable amount of time, they might assume that you won’t stay with them for any length of time and may not hire you because of it.
Recommended reading: From Graduation to Corporation
1 comment
January 25, 9:00 AM
by Heather Huhman, Entry Level Careers Examiner
Making the transition from college life to the workplace isn’t easy. Your body needs to adjust to a regular schedule and any mistakes you make don’t simply result in a lower grade, to name a few of the challenges.
In a recent interview with Andy Teach, author of “From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time,” he offered 10 “corporate commandments” you should follow to transition smoothly, stay on track and get ahead.
1. Don’t just look for a job, look for a career. We probably spend more time at work than anywhere else. If you find a job that you love, it will turn into a career that you love. There is nothing more important than finding a career where you look forward to going to work every day and you look forward to making a contribution every day. Your passion will translate into success and happiness all around.
2. Always think about your work reputation. From the moment you walk in the door at work, you are being judged. How you look, speak, act and write all contribute to how others see you. Don’t give anyone a reason to see you in a negative light. Always act professionally and maturely. Forty years from now, you want to look back at your career and be proud of the one thing that matters most – your reputation.
3. Learn from your mistakes and from the mistakes of others. There’s an old saying, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Everyone makes mistakes. The key is to learn from them. I’ve seen people who made one mistake that cost them their job. If you make a mistake, ask yourself what you did wrong and make a mental note not to repeat it. Observe others, and learn from their mistakes so that you won’t find yourself in the same position.
4. Remember that your job is to make the boss’s job easier. We all have a lot of stress at work, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in our own little world, but you should never forget that you were hired to make the boss’s job easier. Always ask your boss how you can help him or her. Maintain a strong working relationship with your boss at all times, and let them know that they can always count on you.
5. Don’t be late. If you are constantly late for work or to meetings, you’re basically saying that your time is more valuable than everyone else’s. It isn’t. Always remember that you are part of a team, and others are depending on you. Also, if you are late to work then you will most likely make your boss mad, and there’s nothing worse than making your boss mad first thing in the morning.
6. Dress for success. I mentioned earlier how people judge you by the way you look. This may not be fair, but it is true. Who do you think will be seen more as management material, the person who dresses in a business suit or the person who wears jeans and sneakers? Don’t dress like your peers – dress like the people in managerial positions. Dress for the position you want, not the one you have.
7. It doesn’t matter how smart you are if you miss a deadline. I’ve had employees who graduated from extremely prestigious universities have problems making deadlines because they were slow and unorganized, despite their intelligence. It doesn’t matter how great your work is if you miss a deadline. Always allocate more than enough time when working on projects, and if you think you may not make a deadline, inform your boss as soon as possible.
8. Attention to detail is everything. In any job, accuracy is crucial. Always re-read and proof any e-mails or reports you write, and do it a few times. You should strive for 100 percent accuracy all the time and be hard on yourself if any errors see the light of day. Why? Because someone reading your work will assume that if there’s one mistake, there might be others, and you don’t want them questioning your abilities after you’ve worked so hard on a project.
9. Always initiate. A supervisor will always be impressed if you do things that they don’t ask you to do, in addition to your daily responsibilities. Initiation can separate you from the rest of the employees at work who only do what they are asked to do. When it comes time to be considered for a promotion, who do you think has a better chance, the person who just executes, or the person who both executes and initiates?
10. Be patient when it comes to career advancement. Younger people have a reputation for wanting to move up the corporate ladder quickly and for switching jobs often. Don’t be in a rush. If you are constantly changing jobs, you are losing out on valuable experience. Also, if an employer sees on your résumé that you don’t stay with any one job for a reasonable amount of time, they might assume that you won’t stay with them for any length of time and may not hire you because of it.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
National Press Release For My Book
New Book FROM GRADUATION TO CORPORATION:
THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CLIMBING THE CORPORATE LADDER ONE RUNG AT A TIME Helps New College Grads Understand
And Adapt To The Older Corporate Mentality
Los Angeles, CA - - College students and recent grads (part of the group known as “Generation Y” and “The Millennials”) think differently than do their future bosses in the corporate, business, educational and professional worlds. So the new book FROM GRADUATION TO CORPORATION: THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CLIMBING THE CORPORATE LADDER ONE RUNG AT A TIME—by Andy Teach, a 27-year corporate veteran—is a comprehensive guide to understanding their new work environment and narrowing the gap between their expectations and those of their supervisors.
Teach covers such topics as good and bad résumés, interviews, dealing with difficult bosses and co-workers, appearance, staying organized, office romance, networking, standing up to the boss and how to ask for promotions and raises. He lists 72 corporate commandments, including: be an initiator, accept constructive criticism, control your temper, leave personal problems at home, embrace change, maintain a positive attitude and a sense of humor, take responsibility for your actions, willingly work overtime, return phone calls and e-mails promptly, keep your supervisor informed of your progress and remember that one of your main jobs is to make the boss’s job easier.
“In recent years, I noticed how some members of Generation Y had a different attitude toward work that resulted in generational conflicts with their superiors, and I wanted to write a book that would help them manage the generation gap better as well as help their bosses manage them better,” Teach explains. “Some Gen Yers think the company should accommodate them, but actually they need to understand and accommodate their supervisors more if they are to succeed.”
Despite his own success, the author found out the hard way that you can never rest on your laurels. After working for the same two bosses in the same department of a major television and motion picture studio for 23 years, Andy Teach found himself on the unemployment line. What makes this book unique is that its author not only gives us his candid account of his climb up the corporate ladder, but he also discusses the factors behind his fall from the top rungs—pointing out pitfalls and stepping stones that can allow readers to learn from his long practical experience.
A Los Angeles attorney declares: “This book covers a lot of ground and could benefit anyone in the work force. The author addresses potential career landmines in such areas as how to respond to specific interview questions, how to manage office politics and gossip, how to negotiate a raise or promotion using specific strategies, when to stand up to your boss and knowing when it's time to start looking for another job.”
A Princeton University student comments: “This book was informative, helpful and an enjoyable read. Because the author explains what he did both right and wrong, it offers a different perspective and really addresses all types of issues in the corporate world. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is thinking of entering the corporate world.”
Teach says: “In today’s tough economic climate, two of the most important things for young people are obtaining a job and keeping a job. Finding ways to avoid conflict with bosses and older co-workers is key to staying employed when the economy forces bosses to lay someone off.”
Recently, Teach has been making a lot of suggestions on the young professionals’ website brazencareerist.com. Additional information on the author and the book can be found on his Facebook profile, on Squidoo-squidoo.com/GenerationY-TheMillennials and on his website onerungatatime.com. He is available for speaking engagements/lectures at colleges, universities and corporations.
ABOUT AUTHOR ANDY TEACH
Andy graduated from Rutgers College in 1980 with B.A. degrees in Business Administration and Human Communications. He worked as an assistant media planner for a Top 10 advertising agency in New York City, rising to media planner within six months. He was then assistant account exec at another NYC ad agency. In 1983, Teach moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for a year as a production assistant for a television production company. In 1984, he got a job at a major television and motion picture studio in the research department, where he worked for 23 years, earning six promotions: from research clerk to vice-president.
Teach has traveled to all seven continents, has guest lectured on media at UCLA and is currently a consultant for a TV syndication firm.
From Graduation to Corporation
284-page paperback: $17.95
Published by AuthorHouse
ISBN-10: 1-4389-3063-1; ISBN-13: 978-1-4389-3063-3
Available for purchase on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com, target.com and on Teach’s website onerungatatime.com.
January 2009
Media Contact:
Charlie Barrett, The Barrett Company Communications, Los Angeles, CA
310-471-5764; Email: cbarrett@thebarrettco.com
THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CLIMBING THE CORPORATE LADDER ONE RUNG AT A TIME Helps New College Grads Understand
And Adapt To The Older Corporate Mentality
Los Angeles, CA - - College students and recent grads (part of the group known as “Generation Y” and “The Millennials”) think differently than do their future bosses in the corporate, business, educational and professional worlds. So the new book FROM GRADUATION TO CORPORATION: THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CLIMBING THE CORPORATE LADDER ONE RUNG AT A TIME—by Andy Teach, a 27-year corporate veteran—is a comprehensive guide to understanding their new work environment and narrowing the gap between their expectations and those of their supervisors.
Teach covers such topics as good and bad résumés, interviews, dealing with difficult bosses and co-workers, appearance, staying organized, office romance, networking, standing up to the boss and how to ask for promotions and raises. He lists 72 corporate commandments, including: be an initiator, accept constructive criticism, control your temper, leave personal problems at home, embrace change, maintain a positive attitude and a sense of humor, take responsibility for your actions, willingly work overtime, return phone calls and e-mails promptly, keep your supervisor informed of your progress and remember that one of your main jobs is to make the boss’s job easier.
“In recent years, I noticed how some members of Generation Y had a different attitude toward work that resulted in generational conflicts with their superiors, and I wanted to write a book that would help them manage the generation gap better as well as help their bosses manage them better,” Teach explains. “Some Gen Yers think the company should accommodate them, but actually they need to understand and accommodate their supervisors more if they are to succeed.”
Despite his own success, the author found out the hard way that you can never rest on your laurels. After working for the same two bosses in the same department of a major television and motion picture studio for 23 years, Andy Teach found himself on the unemployment line. What makes this book unique is that its author not only gives us his candid account of his climb up the corporate ladder, but he also discusses the factors behind his fall from the top rungs—pointing out pitfalls and stepping stones that can allow readers to learn from his long practical experience.
A Los Angeles attorney declares: “This book covers a lot of ground and could benefit anyone in the work force. The author addresses potential career landmines in such areas as how to respond to specific interview questions, how to manage office politics and gossip, how to negotiate a raise or promotion using specific strategies, when to stand up to your boss and knowing when it's time to start looking for another job.”
A Princeton University student comments: “This book was informative, helpful and an enjoyable read. Because the author explains what he did both right and wrong, it offers a different perspective and really addresses all types of issues in the corporate world. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is thinking of entering the corporate world.”
Teach says: “In today’s tough economic climate, two of the most important things for young people are obtaining a job and keeping a job. Finding ways to avoid conflict with bosses and older co-workers is key to staying employed when the economy forces bosses to lay someone off.”
Recently, Teach has been making a lot of suggestions on the young professionals’ website brazencareerist.com. Additional information on the author and the book can be found on his Facebook profile, on Squidoo-squidoo.com/GenerationY-TheMillennials and on his website onerungatatime.com. He is available for speaking engagements/lectures at colleges, universities and corporations.
ABOUT AUTHOR ANDY TEACH
Andy graduated from Rutgers College in 1980 with B.A. degrees in Business Administration and Human Communications. He worked as an assistant media planner for a Top 10 advertising agency in New York City, rising to media planner within six months. He was then assistant account exec at another NYC ad agency. In 1983, Teach moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for a year as a production assistant for a television production company. In 1984, he got a job at a major television and motion picture studio in the research department, where he worked for 23 years, earning six promotions: from research clerk to vice-president.
Teach has traveled to all seven continents, has guest lectured on media at UCLA and is currently a consultant for a TV syndication firm.
From Graduation to Corporation
284-page paperback: $17.95
Published by AuthorHouse
ISBN-10: 1-4389-3063-1; ISBN-13: 978-1-4389-3063-3
Available for purchase on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com, target.com and on Teach’s website onerungatatime.com.
January 2009
Media Contact:
Charlie Barrett, The Barrett Company Communications, Los Angeles, CA
310-471-5764; Email: cbarrett@thebarrettco.com
Saturday, January 17, 2009
How Generation Y Can Connect With Baby Boomers At Work
There is a generation gap in the workplace. This is nothing new. However, there is one area that can help bridge the generation gap and that area is technology. There are many stereotypes about Generation Y, some good, some not so good, but no one will dispute the fact that Generation Y is the most technologically advanced generation ever. It is mind boggling how many gadgets there are out there that Generation Yers utilize every day and how many websites there are that cater to “The Millennials.” It’s difficult for a member of an older generation to keep up with new technology and to keep up with the new social media sites that keep popping up but these are exactly the areas that can help Generation Y close the generation gap at work.
A few weeks ago I was in a department store in Los Angeles and the woman who was helping me (she was probably about 60 years old), was having trouble ringing up the sale on her computer. She summoned one of her twentysomething colleagues and he solved the problem quickly. You could tell that computers weren’t her thing but I observed something that needs to take place more in the workplace-I observed a member of Generation Y transform from student to teacher. He was able to solve a problem for his older co-worker because of his superior knowledge of technology and in the process, showed her that he was a team player. Hopefully, she appreciated his help and now sees an opportunity to continue this new technological relationship which could potentially help them communicate more and learn more about each other.
More and more Baby Boomers are joining the technological revolution but we are still in the minority. Simply put, we did not grow up with technology like Generation Y has. For a good part of my corporate career, I worked in an office without computers, fax machines, calculators, PDA’s, the internet, and cell phones. Today, these are all taken for granted. I was recently at a party and was talking with my friend’s 13 year-old niece about her cell phone and BlackBerry®. She was discussing the attributes of the new versions of these gadgets like she was discussing the weather. I had a flashback to when I was 13 and I think that color television was just starting to become commonplace. Yes, times have changed.
My point is that if you are a member of Generation Y and you work with Baby Boomers, and even members of Generation X, use your technological knowledge to your advantage. Offer suggestions on how to join social networking media sites, especially if it can help your company publicize their successes. Ask your older co-workers if they have a profile on Facebook or MySpace and if not, explain to them the benefits of having a profile. Use technology as an excuse to get to know your older co-workers better because studies have found that members of different generations at work just don’t communicate as much as they need to. In the end, you will feel good about helping someone else and they will see you as more than that “young whippersnapper” in the corner cubicle.
Several months ago, I interviewed for a very high-level job. I was told that they needed someone who was an expert in new media. I truthfully told them that I was not as knowledgeable as I should be in this area and that was the end of that. Today, I have a profile on Facebook, a lens on squidoo, and my own website. I’m contemplating joining Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and Digg, and I just joined Blogspot. A few months ago, I had never even heard of half of these sites. I guess it proves that you can teach an old Baby Boomer dog new tricks. So, go ahead, strike up a conversation about the latest gadgets and websites with your older co-workers. Get to know them better so that they can get to know you better. Perhaps you can close the generation gap at work just a bit. Personally, I’m thinking about getting the new iPhone. I think I’ll ask my friend’s niece for her advice.
Andy Teach is the author of the new career advice book, From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time.
A few weeks ago I was in a department store in Los Angeles and the woman who was helping me (she was probably about 60 years old), was having trouble ringing up the sale on her computer. She summoned one of her twentysomething colleagues and he solved the problem quickly. You could tell that computers weren’t her thing but I observed something that needs to take place more in the workplace-I observed a member of Generation Y transform from student to teacher. He was able to solve a problem for his older co-worker because of his superior knowledge of technology and in the process, showed her that he was a team player. Hopefully, she appreciated his help and now sees an opportunity to continue this new technological relationship which could potentially help them communicate more and learn more about each other.
More and more Baby Boomers are joining the technological revolution but we are still in the minority. Simply put, we did not grow up with technology like Generation Y has. For a good part of my corporate career, I worked in an office without computers, fax machines, calculators, PDA’s, the internet, and cell phones. Today, these are all taken for granted. I was recently at a party and was talking with my friend’s 13 year-old niece about her cell phone and BlackBerry®. She was discussing the attributes of the new versions of these gadgets like she was discussing the weather. I had a flashback to when I was 13 and I think that color television was just starting to become commonplace. Yes, times have changed.
My point is that if you are a member of Generation Y and you work with Baby Boomers, and even members of Generation X, use your technological knowledge to your advantage. Offer suggestions on how to join social networking media sites, especially if it can help your company publicize their successes. Ask your older co-workers if they have a profile on Facebook or MySpace and if not, explain to them the benefits of having a profile. Use technology as an excuse to get to know your older co-workers better because studies have found that members of different generations at work just don’t communicate as much as they need to. In the end, you will feel good about helping someone else and they will see you as more than that “young whippersnapper” in the corner cubicle.
Several months ago, I interviewed for a very high-level job. I was told that they needed someone who was an expert in new media. I truthfully told them that I was not as knowledgeable as I should be in this area and that was the end of that. Today, I have a profile on Facebook, a lens on squidoo, and my own website. I’m contemplating joining Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and Digg, and I just joined Blogspot. A few months ago, I had never even heard of half of these sites. I guess it proves that you can teach an old Baby Boomer dog new tricks. So, go ahead, strike up a conversation about the latest gadgets and websites with your older co-workers. Get to know them better so that they can get to know you better. Perhaps you can close the generation gap at work just a bit. Personally, I’m thinking about getting the new iPhone. I think I’ll ask my friend’s niece for her advice.
Andy Teach is the author of the new career advice book, From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time.
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