This blog is inspired by my younger sister, currently mid-training to be an Architect. Her course was so competitive that just to get onto it, she had to get 4 A’s (of 4) and even then it was still complicated. She missed her top choice university and ended up far from home. All was well when she finally graduated with a first class degree, and an award. Making us other sisters both green with envy, and pink with delight, on results day.
Yet, when she came into the job, it wasn’t easy. She’s bright, learns fast, and works hard. But despite having 1st class degree, it hadn’t prepared her for work. The behaviour, the unsaid. It turns out that the people hiring her forgot she was 22, and without explanation she was told to get on with it. Cue nights on the phone, days spent on worrying. Things they thought she knew, she didn’t, nobody told her. She thought they didn’t need the help of a junior. Nerves stopped questions. Talking, stopped. Tensions, rose. Learning, paused.
Arriving on time
It reminded me of a conversation I had with one of my first bosses in the City who was offended by my arrival at the office each day at 9am, the time in my contract. She called me into an office and explained to me that as a new joiner I should want to arrive earlier than most of the people on the floor. It was the way that she said it. Like she thought I knew. I was confused but I got it. It’s simple misunderstandings that senior people take the wrong way, and junior people, feel offended by our reaction, and wonder what they have done wrong. Communication.
Attitude is everything
Until you know stuff, your attitude is your best card. Being good at something takes years, decades, really. Don’t worry about having all the answers, you don’t need to. You have been hired for your potential to develop. Don’t worry about giving more than you can. If needed, take some time aside with your senior partners and explain that you need more training. If you are feeling like they haven’t heard your requests, ask again, it’s not that they are ignoring you, it’s because they actually don’t realise how much training you might need.
If you want to be successful you need to learn how to increase your potential more quickly. But don’t worry about this at the expense of your personal relationships, try to be patient as they may be overworked already. If they are struggling to find time to train you just be there on time, listen, soak up as much as you can. Then try out stuff for yourself. Show initiative. But above everything else, if you still feel that you haven’t had the training that you need, make sure you take someone aside to ask them for advice, and if you still don’t feel supported, then ask yourself if it’s the right firm for you. Don’t be afraid to leave if it is just not working, as quite often the first firm you join is not the right fit. You are still figuring out who you are.
Trial and error
Trial and error is a great place to start. Ask for help if you get stuck, everyone has to learn, at any level. Those above you are there to support you, they want you to learn fast. So when you ask a question, make sure you show them that you are listening carefully to the answer. Respect their time, and they will help you again. At this stage, it’s just about building good relationships with those above you. You don’t need to be your best yet.
Educating on the world of work
There aren’t many companies who know how to communicate to their juniors. But it’s what makes the Big4 so good – and so lucrative. The only sector in our work (and society) who has managed to bridge that. In the Big4, not-so juniors train other juniors, within the safety-net of an experienced framework, and it works. They are rewarded with the bright young things that drive their bottom line, in return for teaching. Simple. Because what you get between juniors and not-so juniors is called open communication. Without fear, or judgement. We need to make people relax if we want them to learn.
Buddy systems and easy ways people can find out how to behave from others, not about the job, but about how to do their job. What to do when they fluff up, which they inevitably do. Tell them it’s ok to fluff up sometimes. But learn.
Why are most companies getting it wrong?
It’s really simple. Time is money. Every minute that a Senior spends with a Junior is very expensive. It’s time that person takes away from everyday responsibilities. In the meantime that person’s job doesn’t get smaller. In most cases, there is no immediate direct benefit in training others. But it’s an investment. So when you are being trained, try to be easy going. Especially when that person is providing you with criticism, which is never pleasant for either party. Even when sometimes you don’t think you agree, go with it and hear them out, you can decide later what you think. Reserve judgement for now. Offer to help your boss, even if you don’t think you can be helpful. But offer. Work as a team. Leave your ego at the door. Be your best version of you.
Top 5 Tips for career success:
1. Work for a Manager not a Company
Managers are the single most important success factor in your entire career. Companies themselves don’t build you. Big branded firms are great, but being big, can make them inflexible. Small firms are great too, but can be less organised. The Manager is the key. You should click with yours, and best are found in roles working to their best talents, where they inspire you. Their inspiration should ignite you.
2. Work like you already got the promotion
If you want a promotion, stop asking for one, and start behaving like they already gave it to you. Step up. I don’t mean ask for a secretary. Be as committed, flexible and driven as the person above you, and watch what happens. Earn it. Don’t be afraid to show that you want it.
3. Decide how important money is to you
Everyone wants to earn well. Our whole society is built on it. But ask yourself this question, how prepared are you, really, to sacrifice the other things in your life for success at work? Does success mean only financial reward, or other things too? If your parents wanted to send you to the best law school it is still your life you must lead. Be honest with yourself about what you really want, and once you know, don’t look back. The grass is always greener. Be you.
4. Do a job you love, that plays to your natural abilities.
Everyone has bad days, bad weeks. But if you have found a job that plays to your strengths, it can make you both successful and happy. Look at what you like and where you know you are good at problem solving. They are the clues. Everything else will follow.
5. Be humble and remember that absolutely everyone starts at the bottom, knowing nothing.
That’s the journey.
Good luck
Posted by Rana Hein-Hartmann