Recommended reading: They Don't Teach Corporate in College

April 22, 8:34 AMEntry Level Careers ExaminerHeather Huhman

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The following is an interview with Alexandra Levit, author of “They Don’t Teach Corporate in College.” The book is available on Amazon.com.

Heather Huhman: What's the smartest career move students can make right out of college?

Alexandra Levit: Since it's impossible to know what you want to do with the rest of your life when you're 22, every twenty-something should aim to build a wide range of transferable skills—such as public speaking, client relations, project management and budgeting—that will add value in any type of job and are not likely to become obsolete. 

HH: What is the "black hole" of HR, and how can young candidates avoid it?

AL: It’s critical that the right people read your materials, and that probably won’t happen with a  résumé addressed to a human resources manager. Your résumé could be better than Oprah Winfrey’s, but if it sits in Mr. HR’s inbox for six months, it’s useless. The best way to land a job is to communicate directly with the individual who can hire you. Meet prospective hiring managers by networking at professional events, searching LinkedIn and asking your parents friends' who they know in your target field.

HH: If you had to narrow the list down, what are five things about the corporate world not taught in college that graduating students should know?

AL: The five biggest corporate lessons not taught in the classroom are:

Reputation is king. It’s not about what you do—it’s about who knows what you do and their perception of you. Think of yourself as a publicist with the task of promoting you. Learn to capitalize on your skills, succinctly assert your achievements and project a corporate persona—or your most mature, professional and competent face. 

After that, it’s all about relationships. Seek out new contacts and potential mentors whom you like and admire and whose interests you share. On the home front, don't expect your boss to figure out what you're all about. Determine her priorities, find out what she wants from you and brainstorm ways to surpass her expectations.

A bad attitude will kill you. There's no doubt that the business world can be frustrating, but remember that you can choose your response to your environment. If you make a conscious decision to begin each day with a positive outlook, negative conditions at work can't take that away from you. Aim to increase your self-awareness so you can better understand your emotional hot buttons. 

You can be powerful even with a lowly title. Always keep in mind that other people don't care what you want—they want to know what's in it for them. By approaching negotiations with an attitude that allows both parties to win, you'll be more effective at eliciting cooperation and ultimately getting what you want. 

Your career growth is your responsibility. Approach your performance review strategically by soliciting feedback on your progress, identifying new goals and growth opportunities and hammering out a long-term promotion plan. When asking your boss for a raise, be prepared with a list of contributions that have positively impacted the bottom line.

HH: What was your hardest lesson when transitioning from college to the workplace? 

AL: In the beginning of my career, I was very frustrated and confused. I felt lost, like I had been whisked away on a spaceship and had landed on an alien planet where I had to eat oxygen and breathe vegetables. I didn’t understand why I tried so hard but never seemed to get anywhere. 

Things started to turn around when I put myself under a microscope and took a close look at the persona I presented to the companies I worked for. After polishing the package and learning how to promote it, I practiced human relations skills like diplomacy and cooperation, as well as personal development skills such as organization and time management. I also overcame the negativity that was making me miserable and holding me back in my career. I started getting the promotions I deserved, and by my mid-twenties, I could actually say I was happy working in Corporate America. 2009 is actually the first year I'm not working there, and I really miss it!