Twenty-five things to know the day you graduate

From the archive: I first published this on May 13, 2013. It reflects the perspective of a recent graduate at that time. I have lightly edited the wording but kept the advice—and the voice—of the original.

1. You are going to be fine

Do not take that reassurance for granted. You may need to hear it more often after school, and there will not always be someone nearby to say it. Whether you are prepared or not, life will throw curveballs. Do not despair. You will get through them.

2. Your résumé is your new transcript

Invest in it. Let it reflect what you have done and what you can do. Keep it focused; few people will give a second page the attention you hope they will.

3. Volunteer

It gives you experience, introduces you to people in different fields, and gets you out into the world of work. The experience can be invaluable. You will also be doing some good.

4. Take every interview seriously

Even when you think you will not get the job, use the interview as practice. Do your homework on the company and, most importantly, the role.

5. Know your number

When someone asks what you want to be paid, arrive with an informed answer. Research the role and the market before the interview.

6. Learn to talk about your work

You need to be able to sell yourself without pretending to be someone else. When a recruiter says, “Tell me a little about yourself,” speak clearly about your professional self.

7. Experience can be worth more than pride

Work experience with modest pay can be better than unemployment with no pay. Do not refuse work only because you think you are above it. At the same time, do not become trapped in a job you know is wrong for you.

8. Think carefully about graduate school

It will probably enter your list of options as you work out what to do with your life. Do not go on a whim. If you are serious, learn the requirements and prepare while your study habits are still fresh.

9. Look into professional certifications

In some fields, a useful certification can distinguish you from everyone else who already holds the same diploma.

10. Entrepreneurship will be harder than you think

No matter how hard you expect it to be, it will likely be harder. Know your numbers. Understand your burn rate. Start small, but start; ideal conditions rarely arrive.

11. Your GPA matters selectively

Most of the time it will matter less after school. When it does matter, you will either be glad you took school seriously or wish you had. Learn how your experience, character, and activities tell the rest of the story.

12. You cannot go out every night

Do not try—especially with friends who do not have work in the morning. It is a trap.

13. Learn how to work with your boss

Hope for a good one. If that is not what you get, stay professional, find healthy ways to cope, and know when it is time to move. Build genuine relationships at work and do not burn bridges.

14. Reach out first in a new city

Your first friends may be people from work or graduate school. Do not act too cool to spend time with someone simply because they are not the kind of person you imagined befriending in college.

15. Relationships change after college

You will no longer have a campus full of people your age around you every day. Be open to meeting people, but do not become frantic about it.

16. Learn to network like a human being

Understand who in your existing circle works where. Learn to have a conversation that is professional without becoming impersonal. Exchange details when it makes sense. Above all, be genuine; those are the connections that work.

17. Know the tools of your field

It is never too late to improve your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint skills. If you studied business, accounting, finance, mathematics, or statistics, Excel should be a serious part of your toolkit. If you studied computer science, work across multiple languages and platforms and state those skills clearly.

18. Take financial responsibility seriously

Do not buy things you do not need. Be cautious about rent that consumes too much of your pay. Living with your parents may feel less impressive, but it can be wiser than carrying a housing payment that is over your head.

19. Protect your credit

Improve it. Do not abuse it.

20. Invest in professional clothes

You do not need a huge wardrobe. You do need a few things that fit, last, and let you walk into the room prepared.

21. Keep a life outside work

Life may feel more routine after school, but you do not have to become boring. Exercise. Read. Hike. Try a marathon. Do things that improve you. Time will be scarce, which is exactly why you have to protect it.

22. Learn to save

When money starts coming your way, save some of it. Start small. At first, focus less on the amount and more on building the habit. Learn about long-term retirement accounts and choose what fits your country and circumstances.

23. Practice the questions you will keep hearing

Learn to answer these clearly:

• Tell me a little about yourself.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What are your long-term career plans?

24. Have a direction, not a perfect script

I would not dare tell you to plan every detail of your life. Life will throw those plans in the toilet. Still, have an idea of what you want from it.

25. Push through to have fun

Lots of it.

Congratulations on your achievement. Welcome to your new life.