Securing your corporate residency is a great achievement and an important step in your career development. It’s also an excellent opportunity to make a positive impression that can lead to success in the workplace as well as making great professional connections. To make the most out of your residency, consider these tips:

Take time to STUDY

• S: Survey your surroundings
• T: Take the time to analyze and learn the most important things; company’s strategic plan, goals and objectives, structure, processes, current projects
• U: Understand the people: Who are the key resources? Who’s doing what?
• D: Do not make hasty decisions; being new means you will not yet understand the current situation, facts, or internal politics
• Y: Yes you can! No matter how overwhelmed you feel in your new position –just take a deep breath, remain calm, stay focused, and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

Clarify ambiguity

• Ask questions to understand your role and how you will be evaluated.
• Learn the business, in and outside of the area/team you are working.
• Be proactive – it’s great to show initiative, but show some restraint.  Humility plays as important a role as ambition.

Exhibit professionalism

• Consider how you answer the telephone, how you use email, and how you articulate your voice mail greeting
• Perform menial tasks with enthusiasm to demonstrate your work ethic does not change depending on the task you are assigned
• Show respect for the corporate culture
• Become acquainted with colleagues, even those outside your peer group

Consider your first impression

• First impressions matter… and they last.  Always dress professionally.  It is better to overdress then to underdress
• Take initiative to ask for more work if you are not busy.  Let people know your strengths and your willingness to assist
• Be keen. Don’t be the first one to leave at the end of the day. Always remember that even if this is not the job you want for a career, it is a stepping stone for you in terms of your resume, your skills and a reference

 Add value

• 80% of success is attributed to simply showing up and giving 100%.  When you commit to a goal, deadline, or say you are going to do something, ensure you meet those expectations
• Avoid excuses such as “I have no experience” or “I am a student”. For the duration of your work term, you are an employee of that company and should identify yourself as such
• Demonstrate that you are approachable and coachable.  Being able to receive constructive feedback and use it to improve is an important skill to have
• After one month, take the initiative and request an informal review of your progress
• End the day by writing down what expected and unexpected progress you made and what you can do tomorrow