to ask for tips on graduate job?

[Nenuco]

Posting here for traffic!

I'm starting a graduate job next week and I am kinda freaking out.

I am also significantly older (and bigger, but I try not to think about that) than most of the cohort.

How do I stop getting worried and start being confident? Any tips?

Invest in some really nice professional clothes that make you feel confident and also use a tailor to make adjustments to get a good fit. Get your hair done if it’s been more than three months before you last saw a hairdresser. Be friendly and open. Be ready for at least 25% of your intake to be prats, and don’t let it bother you one bit (just a mental note of which ones not to waste your time on). Remember you were hired for a reason and be proud of your achievements so far. Listen, don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t feel you have to impress right away (plenty of time for people to get to know your value). Being older is a HUGE advantage as you’ll have some more life experience and your superiors will find you a little more relatable.

Good luck!!

Hi

I did my grad scheme in 2012 for a bank.

It is very demanding and tbh one as physically and mentally exhausted so I never really had a minute to think about my age OR size!

Will you be situated in different business areas in order to get a good understanding of the organisation? The main advice I could give is listen and ask questions to make sure you really understand processes and expectations. Don't be scared to ask again if you need to
I had a book for each section I worked in (mine was one where I moved around the organisation) which really helped to keep my mind clear.
If it's a job where you are situated in just one aspect of business- again understanding it is what it's all about

Just remember you've been selected for a reason grad jobs are highly sought after and competitive.well done and enjoy!;

I'm 5 months into my grad job and it's such a good opportunity. My advice is make the most of it. Don't be afraid to ask questions, most of your colleagues will be 100% behind you. Manage your manager, you have the chance to really get your teeth in to the company and you're early in career so if you want an opportunity, don't be afraid to open discussions to get it. Obviously don't take the piss, but if there's a role you want to experience/shadow, ask.
Find a mentor. They might be a career mentor or a role mentor and don't settle for just anyone. If you meet someone who's style of work, role or career resonates with you, invite them for a coffee to ask them questions and for advice. Some one to bounce ideas off outside your chain of command is so useful.
You will find some grads are still in an immature mentality, but there will be some that resonate. Use the grad community to your advantage though, you never know who they'll be in 5,10 or 20 years. But don't be a slimey suck up - people can spot a brown-noser a mile off. Make the company culture work for you. My company has a really open relaxed culture so the above advice fits that but the underlying messages are the same.

Wear your favourite work outfit, spend some time the first morning getting ready so you feel confident, go in with a smile. You will be fine.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Big help! Keep them coming!

Having a hard time with my wardrobe. For some reason it seems I am incapable of dressing up as an adult beyond button down white shirt and black skirt/pants!