In this special episode we are joined by Adam Allegri and Flavio Cultrera Muñoz, Legal Counsel in the In-House legal team at Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm. The guests share their insights on how students can succeed best in their first workplace experiences. We discuss how best to prepare, and then succeed in a first work role: questions you can ask, and the great daily habits and skills to build to help you to thrive in your first job.
Adam and Flavio talk about a range of areas to focus on: the importance of building networks, and making time for face-to-face meetings to learn from others. We also explore the power of observing experienced colleagues around you – helping you to make the best choices in terms of your style of communication or contribute to meetings and calls. How you “show up” on Day 1 is discussed, and there is a practical list of questions you should ask in advance of starting to maximise your chances of success. The episode also explores challenges including how you can work effectively with multiple supervisors or master working in an open-plan working environment. Lastly, Adam and Flavio share their thoughts on the critical point of being hungry to learn about the organisation you have joined, its values and purpose, and what drives its success – and never forgetting that above all you will succeed by building great relationships across different teams as you develop your role.
Actions and resources for listeners:
· After listening to the episode, explore the Gensler website – if you were starting a job there in two weeks’ time, what questions would you ask your “Buddy” or “Mentor” on Day 1?
· Review this checklist of 13 tips: check the list before you start a role – and then after you begin your role, check it again to see how well you are doing on the key aspects, giving yourself a score out of 10!
