Golden Rules: Advice From The Trenches

Today, Intern Memo sits down with Hannah Seligson, work place connoisseur and author of recently published book, New Girl on the Job: Advice from the Trenches.

After graduating from Brown in 2004, Seligson landed a great corporate job, but she never quite hit her stride in the workplace. After nine months of awkward interactions and poor office relationships, she was given the old pink slip. More depressed than Joan Didion in The Year of Magical Thinking, Seligson set out to discover what went wrong. She interviewed a bunch of successful businesswomen aged twenty-two to thirty and a few older professionals to research what makes a great entry-level worker. Now, she's giving us the Golden Rules:

Intern Memo: What are the most important things an intern should keep in mind in the workplace?

Seligson: I'd say, if you don't know something, ask! A boss would always answer a question rather than correct a mistake. Also, this is unrelated, but always think about what it would be like working at your company for 80 hours a week, since that's what most Manhattan firms ask of entry-level employees. If your skill set matches your work, and the job will capture your interest in the long term, it's probably a good fit. And finally, don't be entitled. Don't act like you're above anything. There is always something else you could be doing. It's the people that are up for anything that get to work on the cool projects. You want to make it a pro-active experience, so that might mean you need to create your own tasks, but if that's what you have to do, that's what you have to do.

Intern Memo: Should an intern try to have fun at work?

Seligson: It depends on the definition of fun. If it's making obnoxious comments, definitely not, but if you act professional, then yes. Maybe that means asking your boss to explain something over lunch at Nobu. There are many ways to have fun in a professional way.

Intern Memo: In your book you talk a lot about how there are no "do-overs" for first impressions. How can you make the best first impression?

Seligson: It's not that cryptic. Look the person in the eye and give a firm handshake. Introduce yourself by first and last name. Always use Mr. or Ms. unless told otherwise. Don't be overly enthusiastic, but also don't make it seem like you just rolled out of bed. If you're a girl, you don't want to be too bubbly and say something like "Heyyyyy! So nice to meet you!" If you're a guy, you don't want to be like "Hey dude!" Take yourself seriously.

Intern Memo: How do you find a mentor you can trust?

Seligson: The biggest thing about mentors is to never ask someone "will you be my mentor?" Just find someone whose style you admire, whether it's how that person gave a presentation or how he or she completed a particular assignment, then ask them if they have 20 minutes or so to go over their work. As an intern, you need to be pro-active and seek out your mentor. And don't stop at one. A mentor is traditionally perceived as a singular concept, but in reality, you should try to reach out to a broad range of people for specific pieces of advice. It might take 2-3 emails to schedule that lunch, but don't be deterred if the first email isn't returned. And through the school year, follow-up. And remember, NEVER say to someone "will you be my mentor?"

There you have it; a few more Golden Rules to get you through the summer. Though the parade isn't until Sunday, if you feel like avoiding all the divertissement surrounding the Puerto Rican Day Parade, get out of the city and head to Belmont Park for the third leg of the Triple Crown. Racing begins at high noon on Saturday.

If you were inspired by Intern Simon and are feeling sort of gluttonous yourself, check out the fifth annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park from 12pm-6pm Saturday and Sunday.

Have a great weekend.

The Editorial Board

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