Early Career Success and Fit Differential Reinforcement Differential Reinforcement –Learning what is rewarded (actually) in organizations and what is not rewarded Observe Observe Ask successful peers Ask successful peers Ask supervisors and create a dialogue Ask supervisors and create a dialogue Find mentors Find mentors Understand the power structure and how change occurs Understand the power structure and how change occurs

Early Career Success and Fit To find real fit (vs. trying to be perceived as a fit) and increasing chances for early career success: To find real fit (vs. trying to be perceived as a fit) and increasing chances for early career success: –Increase self-awareness – Know self Develop clear goals Develop clear goals Assess your strengths Assess your strengths Think about your bottom-line values, goals, compensatory factors Think about your bottom-line values, goals, compensatory factors

Early Career Success and Fit Finding real fit: Finding real fit: –Research opportunities – Know the org. Read articles, visit websites Read articles, visit websites Talk with insiders if possible Talk with insiders if possible Ask questions during recruiting Ask questions during recruiting

Early Career Success and Fit More on job/org research…. More on job/org research…. –Join professional associations and get involved –Request an informational interview –Seek an internship –Try temporary agency assignments –Ask (successful) people why they believe they are successful

Early Career Success and Fit Questions to ask Questions to ask –During recruiting ( recruiters are assessing fit why shouldn’t you?) Who is successful here and why? Who is successful here and why? How is performance assessed and how can I get feedback for continued improvement? How is performance assessed and how can I get feedback for continued improvement? What might my first project or assignment be? What might my first project or assignment be? How would you describe the culture of the organization? How would you describe the culture of the organization? How would you describe the culture of the group I’ll be working in? How would you describe the culture of the group I’ll be working in? Are there opportunities to explore career development within this organization? Are there opportunities to explore career development within this organization? Are there mentoring opportunities or programs available? Are there mentoring opportunities or programs available? What are the diversity initiatives enacted in the company – given that skills and excellent performance are my top priorities? What are the diversity initiatives enacted in the company – given that skills and excellent performance are my top priorities?

Early Career Success and Fit Questions to ask Questions to ask –Early on the job after being hired Who is successful here and why? Who is successful here and why? Are you open to informally discussing, within reason, my work so that I can continue making improvements? Are you open to informally discussing, within reason, my work so that I can continue making improvements? What are the most valuable skills I should develop to be successful here? What are the most valuable skills I should develop to be successful here? If you could create the “best” employee, what would that person have in terms of skills and work behaviors? If you could create the “best” employee, what would that person have in terms of skills and work behaviors? Who else should I talk to about being successful here? Who else should I talk to about being successful here? May I see a copy of my job description? May I see a copy of my job description? May I see a copy of the performance evaluation you will be using to assess my performance? May I see a copy of the performance evaluation you will be using to assess my performance?