Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved
September 12, 2012
They Dont Teach
Corporate in College
A Twenty-Somethings Guide to the
Business World
Alexandra Levit
2009 to Alexandra Levit
Adapted by permission of The Career Press
ISBN: 978-1-60163-058-2
Introduction
In They Dont Teach Corporate in College, Alexan-
dra Levit aims to ofer twenty-somethings a reality
check about the corporate world. A successful tran-
sition from college to the corporate working world
is not as simple as working hard and earning good
grades in school. Instead, motivated people need to
learn how to create a corporate persona. Levits
step-by-step breakdown provides college graduates
with helpful tips about how to successfully fnd jobs
in the corporate world. By building marketable skills,
it is possible to fnd success and make important con-
nections in the business world.
Find Yourself, Find a Paycheck: The
Focused Job Search
Levit believes that focused applicants are atractive
applicants. When approaching the transition to the
corporate world, college graduates need to forget
their college majors and instead make a focused list of
their marketable skills and interests. Too ofen, people
feel tied down by their college degrees. Assessing per-
sonal values, preferred work environment, and goals
for the next ten years will guide the job hunt.
Finding the right job is easy if college graduates focus
on building a network and asking alumnae for help in
their job searches. Further, resumes should accurately
describe a persons work history, interests, and expe-
riences. Strong word choices and power statements
make an applicant memorable. Instead of sending
general inquiries, interested applicants should strive
to communicate with any of the individuals in charge
of hiring. Focused, specifc emails addressed to hiring
supervisors will make a positive impression.
They Dont Teach Corporate in College Alexandra Levit
Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 2
Making a Solid First Impression:
Developing a Corporate Persona
Young professionals need to establish a polished cor-
porate persona and professional image. Everything
from what people wear to what they say and do can
directly alter this image. Every interaction with a
potential employer afects this persona: from the frst
email and resume to salary negotiations and the inter-
view.
People who dress for success are sure to be noticed.
Young professionals should invest in a few pieces of
high quality business atire as soon as they begin their
job search. Levit stresses that the corporate world is
conservative and professional. Young college gradu-
ates should strive to dress professionally at all times
if they want to be taken seriously in the corporate
world.
The First Month on the Job: Working
the Crowd
The frst month on the job should be spent studying
the ofce culture and refning a new corporate per-
sona. Before the frst day of a new job, it is important
to contact a direct supervisor, introduce oneself, and
ask if there are any pertinent materials that should be
read or studied to become more accustomed to the
culture.
Every workplace has policies about expense reports,
health insurance, retirement plans, and fexible
work or teleworking opportunities. It is important
to read and reread all information about how such
plans work. It can be a wise strategy to avoid a vaca-
tion until being at a new company for at least three
months. Young professionals need to establish their
work ethic before asking for time of, and to be per-
ceived as serious about the job opportunity. When
asked to help out on a project, Levit advises college
graduates to be sure to listen, communicate, and be
respectful. No one likes a twenty-something know-it-
all, but people love team players.
Additionally, Levit suggests that newly employed
college graduates should never doubt the power of
observation. The frst month is a prime time to fgure
out how things work at a company, such as how many
personal breaks and emails are tolerated, how to order
ofce supplies, how to dress for company events, etc.
Key Concepts
1. Find Yourself, Find a Paycheck. People must
refect on their skills, interests, and goals
before looking for a job.
2. Develop a Corporate Persona. Every interac-
tion contributes to personal brand.
3. Understand Ofce Culture. New hires should
pay close atention to colleagues behaviors.
4. The Purposeful Workday. Young professionals
must make the most of their work days by
prioritizing assignments, communicating
with colleagues, and avoiding procrastina-
tion.
5. Positivity Is Contagious. Managing stress and
seeing the big picture helps people stay pos-
itive.
6. Emotional Bank Accounts Mater. Creating
positive relationships with colleagues is
important.
7. People Make Their Own Luck. Promotions
come to people who work hard and under-
stand how to advocate for themselves when
siting down for a performance review or
asking for a raise.
8. Bounce Back from Setbacks. When a promotion
is rejected or the company faces reorganiza-
tion, the best employees are resilient.
9. Mentor and Support Staf. Employees respect
straightforward bosses who are able to fulfll
a number of roles: director, ally, and coach.
10. Dont Burn Bridges. When leaving a position,
it is important to preserve relationships.
g g g g
Information about the author and subject:
htp://www.alexandralevit.com/
Information about this book and other business titles:
htp://www.careerpress.com/
Related summary in the BBS Library:
I Got My Dream Job and So Can You
7 Steps to Creating Your Ideal Career Afer College
By Pete Liebman
They Dont Teach Corporate in College Alexandra Levit
Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 3
Similarly, understanding colleagues priorities is also
important. For example, by spoting family photo-
graphs on supervisors desks, it is possible to assume
they value family life.
The frst month is also the right time to thoroughly
meet and interact with new colleagues. Young pro-
fessionals can make a positive frst impression if they
make eye contact, smile, frmly shake hands, and
make notes about people and their roles in the com-
pany.
Ofce lingo can sometimes seem
like a foreign language when
frst entering a new work envi-
ronment. Deciphering such lingo
means reading between the lines.
For example, when someone says,
Ive got too much on my plate, it could mean that
have too many projects to work on, or just want it to
seem this way, and want someone to take on one of
these assignments. Understanding such cues can help
a young professional successfully integrate into an
ofce.
A persons desk speaks volumes about his or her
performance and character. It is important that this
space is kept neat and organized from day one. Simi-
larly, it is helpfuly to take the time to quickly remove
items from an email inbox, cross of to-do lists, and
to remove emails as soon as they are answered. All
of this will keep the mind sharp and show employers
that a job is being taken seriously.
More than ever, twenty-somethings worldwide are seeking
counseling, and job jumping due to stress and dissatisfaction
has become the norm.
About the Author
Alexandra Levit is the author of four books and
a writer for several business and career publica-
tions, including the Wall Street Journal and the
Hufngton Post. Her career advice has been fea-
tured in more than 800 media outlets, including
the New York Times, USA Today, and National
Public Radio. Levit regularly speaks nationwide
on work issues facing young employees.
Get to Know the Office: Adapting to
Management Styles
Diferent bosses have diferent management styles.
The four main styles are: aggressive, persuasive, sup-
portive, and analytical. Identifying a supervisors
approach will make it easier for a person to communi-
cate and work with them. One-on-one meetings with a
manager or boss will and should clarify expectations.
Employees should know their daily responsibilities,
required meetings, evaluation practices, and how
work should be documented and presented.
Integrating into an ofce community is important.
Levit suggests that newly hired college graduates
pinpoint the most approachable person in the ofce
and start with them. From here, an employee can
branch out and fnd out peoples interests, jobs, and
personalities. Participating in ofce events like afer-
hour drinks and holiday parties can also be benefcial.
However, young professionals should understand
the diference between work friends and real friends,
as boundaries are important in the workplace. Ofce
gossip should be avoided when possible, as well as
heavy drinking during ofce-sponsored events. It is
important to be pleasant and mindful of politically
charged topics and cultural sensitivities.
Be the Master of Your Plan
Young professionals cannot aford to sit back and
let life happen to them. Instead, they should under-
stand they are masters of their own futures. Seting
atainable goals is a smart way to build skills that can
transfer to other jobs. When developing career goals
and an overall plan, Levit suggests that it is important
to consider:
1. What is the ultimate role and goal going to be?
2. Why is this goal important and how it will further
my career?
3. When should the goal be accomplished?
4. How will success or completion be measured?
Education does not end with graduation. Professional
They Dont Teach Corporate in College Alexandra Levit
Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 4
or leadership development courses are a great way to
learn new skills, further a career path, and stay up-
to-date with the latest technology. This is also a great
way to meet other people in the corporate world.
Networking is more than simply exchanging business
cards. By atending industry events and conferences
and using social networking websites like LinkedIn,
it is always possible to bring in new clients and build
a reputation in the corporate world. Following up on
such meetings or contacts is an important skill to hone
in the corporate world. A simple thank you card can
create a more personal transaction between other pro-
fessionals. Young professionals should think about
what they can bring to the table and constantly review
their current skill sets for future growth. Sometimes,
the best networking connections are those that are
mutually benefcial.
The Purposeful Workday
Making a big impact in the corporate world will ofen
take time. Levit stresses that it is very important to
manage time strategically so as to avoid ofce burn-
out early on in a career. Instead, it is best to start small
and think about how to best support the ofce needs
from the botom up. For example, having templates
on hand for documents saves people time and energy.
A young professional can develop and use such items
for individual work, show colleagues, and hope that
they catch on. This is a subtle yet efective way to
impress. Developing an idea means doing research
and asking for colleagues help and feedback. This
encourages collaboration in the ofce, and it ensures
everyone has ownership of the project.
Beach ball management happens when inquiries
are bounced from one employee to the next. This can
be incredibly frustrating for clients and for employees.
If a young professional takes the initiative to answer a
question or run an errand, it makes clients or custom-
ers feel supported and adds value to the ofce. People
are used to waiting and being transferred when they
call the ofce. Being the person who solves a custom-
ers issue makes the company look good and ensures
an employee will be remembered for his or her initia-
tive and positive atitude.
Working hard is not enough these days. People
have to market themselves with-
out coming of as pompous or
arrogant. For example, a person
could disguise such information
in an email updating a supervisor
on team eforts or in an email
thanking others for their help on a project. Highlight-
ing work in a subtle fashion increases an employees
visibility in the ofce and can lead to a promotion.
Work days should be purposeful. Making to-do lists
and prioritizing tasks makes it easier to sif through
daily responsibilities and projects. In order to do so,
Levit quotes Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of
Highly Efective People, and suggests that people divide
tasks into four categories:
Category 1: Urgent tasks linked to deadlines, crises,
and time-sensitive problems.
Category 2: Non-urgent tasks that are important
professionally (i.e., skill acquisition, relationship
building, etc.).
Category 3: Urgent and important tasks that help
people build their reputations (i.e., returning
emails, administrative tasks, etc.).
Category 4: Non-urgent and unimportant tasks that
could result in fring (i.e., chit-chating with col-
leagues, instant messaging, etc.).
Managing time means being honest about deadlines
and responsibilities. Project management is a huge
obstacle for many twenty-somethings. Some people
just do not work well with others, and also have dif-
fculty managing their time on projects. Learning how
to collaborate with other people, delegate tasks, and
stay on top of deadlines is a very important piece of
the business world. To manage projects, an employee
needs to outline each step of the assignment, sched-
ule a meeting with colleagues to assign tasks, create
a visual display of deadlines and responsibilities, and
follow up with people to monitor their work. Most
work happens away from meetings, so it is important
to keep meetings short, focused, and productive.
Quite simply, a marketable persona positively influences peo-
ples perceptions of you so that you can ultimately succeed in
the corporate world.
They Dont Teach Corporate in College Alexandra Levit
Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 5
Learn How to Communicate
People are ofen defned by how they communicate.
There are three main communication styles:
1. Aggressive. This type of communication discour-
ages collaboration and conversations, and focuses
on placing blame if mistakes are made and taking
credit for others successes.
2. Passive. This type of communication is reluctant to
ofer feedback, hates confrontation, and is unable
to convey the full picture of a project or situation.
3. Assertive. This communication is objective and con-
versational. Such communicators think before re-
sponding to issues and see the big picture.
When problem-solving in the ofce, people need to
use facts to back up their positions, avoid raising their
voices, acknowledge other peoples stances, and learn
to compromise. Additionally, understanding when
to chime in and when to wait will take time to fully
embrace, but can be very helpful
once learned.
Writen communication is impor-
tant now that most ofces use
email, PDAs, and smartphones
for daily communications. People
in the corporate world are pressed
for time and have a short atention span. Clear and
concise emails, text messages, and memos are imper-
ative for the busy professional. Levit stresses that
proofreading is important, and that even the most
basic email should be error free.
Listening is more than simply hearing words. It is
important to understand the type and how much
information is actually being heard. The best listeners
do not interrupt, stay focused, and can read between
the lines. However, it is important to understand the
flters people face when atempting to take in infor-
mation through listening. The four basic flters are:
1. Predilection flter. Hearing what is wanted instead
of what is being said.
2. Who flter. Focusing on the person speaking rather
than message.
3. Facts flter. Obliviousness to emotional or non-ver-
bal cues.
4. Distracting thoughts flter. Allowing personal
thoughts or emotions to become distracting.
Further, in-person communication involves nonver-
bal cues like appropriate eye contact, altering tone,
appearing intelligent but not pretentious, and coming
across as sincere. It is important to take advantage of
quick conversations, such as in the elevator or in the
kitchen, and volunteer to deliver formal or informal
presentations. Practice makes perfect when develop-
ing communication skills in the corporate world.
Check Your Attitude at the Door
Negativity breeds negativity, especially for twenty-
somethings encountering corporate bureaucracy
for the frst time. Successful employees maintain a
positive atitude even when encountering difcult sit-
uations like hierarchies, big egos, name dropping, or
micromanagement. Levit strongly believes that young
professionals have the choice to combat negativity if it
arises to avoid losing enthusiasm or motivation.
Simply making the decision to come into the ofce
with a positive outlook can reap major benefts. This
changes a persons perspective on common frustra-
tions. For example, if a person is assigned a task that
is not in his or her job description, they might become
upset. A positive person instead sees this as a chance
to impress the boss and learn something new. Focus-
ing on the negatives will only result in anger and
lower motivation. Being fexible and seeing the silver
lining in every situation keeps employees happy and
focused.
Additionally, professionals need to understand their
triggers to beter manage them. For example, some
people hate when others are late. It is important to
take a step back and consider others intentions.
Such perspective shifing makes professionals more
patient. Validation should not come only from super-
visors, awards, and promotions. It is important to fnd
self-motivation by seting and accomplishing per-
Getting a good job in todays economy requires more than just
graduating from a good college and hanging out at recruiting
fairs. You have to set yourself apart, get their attention, and
make them want you.
They Dont Teach Corporate in College Alexandra Levit
Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 6
sonal goals at work and in a career path.
It is greatly benefcial to be able to work well with
others in the corporate world. Not every situation has
to be about winning or losing. Understanding col-
leagues roles and priorities helps professionals best
communicate project needs. For example, colleagues
in sales care about making money whereas those in
marketing want to increase a companys visibility.
Knowing these things in advance helps professionals
spin their requests to beter suit peoples focuses.
A dose of sweetness and appreciation can go a long
way in the corporate world. People remember super-
visors who show their thanks with notes, small gifs,
and kind words. Staf notice when people go out of
their way to be kind. Answering the phone when it
rings and listening to peoples needs is a small ges-
ture but means a lot to the person on the other end.
Specifc and strong compliments are appreciated and
remembered.
People cannot go it alone in the business world. In col-
lege, a person can study hard and get good grades
without help from other people. In an ofce seting,
employees need others to get ahead and gain pro-
motions. Young professionals should think about
work relationships as deposits in an emotional
bank account. Having strong relationships with col-
leagues means that they are more willing to help a
person out and forgive minor mistakes. This emo-
tional bank account needs to be replenished before
it is over-withdrawn or past interactions are forgot-
ten. Remembering birthdays and anniversaries, the
names of loved ones, maintaining communication,
and showing interest in colleagues lives and interests
are great ways to maintain emotional bank accounts.
A thick skin is important when dealing with criticism
from colleagues or angry clients. Responding to such
issues with anger or defensiveness will only make the
situation worse. Instead, young professionals need
to listen to the feedback or comments, accept it, and
learn from it. Levit suggests depersonalizing the criti-
cism, restating the comments to clarify the persons
meaning, asking for guidance, and taking the time to
refect on this feedback. At some point, it is important
to follow up with the person to monitor progress.
Moving Up in the World
Performance reviews are important if young pro-
fessionals want a promotion. Instead of receiving
feedback, young professionals should go into such
meetings prepared to advocate for themselves and
their work. Making a list of per-
sonal strengths and completed
projects is a great frst step. Employ-
ees need to practice discussing
their work so they are prepared
for evaluations and reviews. Such
preparation will impress a supervisor. At the end of
the review, it is important to ask for clarifcation or
additional feedback for future improvements. This
shows a supervisor that an employee heard the feed-
back, and wants to adapt to it.
Asking for a raise afer a strong performance review is
smart. An employees salary or pay scale is calculated
based on the employees value to the business. Posi-
tively afecting the botom line increases such value.
Before asking for a raise, research is important. This
means comparing a personal salary to those listed
by the National Compensation Survey by the U.S.
Department of Labor. It is important to keep bonuses,
stock options, retirement and medical packages, and
other benefts in mind. Calm employees who can
politely advocate for themselves will be heard more
than employees who seem biter about being under-
paid.
Visibility is also important for professionals looking
for promotions. Employees must perform at a high
level, show leadership, avoid ofce drama or politics,
and develop positive relationships with colleagues
and supervisors. This is where the corporate persona
plays an important role. Young professionals should
remember that higher level positions come with more
responsibility, freedom, and stress. If a promotion
does not come through or a company is approach-
ing reorganization, professionals need to roll with the
punches. Part of surviving and succeeding in the cor-
porate world is bouncing back from such challenges.
The purpose of business networking is to gain information,
increase your visibility in your field, and establish personal con-
nections that will help you move forward with your career.
They Dont Teach Corporate in College Alexandra Levit
Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 7
Youre the Boss Now
If a promotion does come through, young profession-
als have to learn how to be efective supervisors. This
is not taught in college, or even in the ofce. Thus, a
person has to think and adapt quickly. A newly pro-
moted supervisor should meet with employees to
establish expectations and build a positive rapport
with staf. This is also a chance to establish boundar-
ies for acceptable conduct. If timeliness is important,
the initial meetings are a chance to explain this. If an
employee is ofen late, it is important to follow up
with them to explain the consequences if the mis-
take happens again. Supervisors have to hold staf
accountable. Straightforward bosses who provide
clear and constructive feedback are valued in the cor-
porate world.
It is not easy being a twenty-something boss. Young
professionals ofen fnd it difcult to supervise
employees who are older than them. It is important
to be confdent, clear about expectations, give staf
freedom to do their jobs, and to ofer training and
mentoring opportunities. Giving experienced staf
leadership roles in the ofce shows that they are
valued.
Efciency is a sign of a great business. The best bosses
delegate responsibilities to prepared staf. Meetings
should be held sparingly and should be focused. No
one wants to waste their time. Staf should know
about the meeting in advance and come prepared
with updates on projects. When giving feedback to
staf, a boss should be honest yet constructive and
have clear facts and examples.
Know When to Move On
According to Levits research, young professionals
change careers every year or so. Afer all, this is a time
where twenty-somethings have the freedom to move
around without the responsibility of a family to con-
sider. The decision to look for another job should be
based around promotion, increased salary, or happi-
ness.
People leave jobs all of the time. Employees should
tell their supervisor frst, give two weeks notice,
organize fles, and train replacements. An employee
can never know whether or not they will need past
employers help in the future. Closing doors limits
options. A young professional transitioning to a new
job or graduate school should aim for a graceful exit
so as to leave all communication open for future
career opportunities.
g g g g
Features of the Book
Reading Time: 4-5 Hours, 288 pages
They Dont Teach Corporate in College is a perfect
guide for college graduates entering the workforce or
for young professionals looking for inspiration. The
step-by-step tips for how to identify and market pro-
fessional skills, learn ofce culture, network, set goals,
and even write emails or problem solve can help even
the most experienced professional refne his or her
skills. The easy-to-understand language, short sec-
tions, bulleted tips, and review at the end of chapters
give job hunters and professionals helpful tips about
how to excel. The opening anecdotes from Levits per-
sonal experiences navigating the corporate world add
depth to each chapter. This book can be read cover-to-
cover or specifc sections such as networking, asking
for a raise, or making smart career moves. Overall,
this book helps to make sense of current ofce culture,
and provides twenty-somethings with a guideline for
success in the corporate world.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Find Yourself, Find a Paycheck
Chapter 2: Congratulations, Youre Hired!
Chapter 3: Working the Crowd
Chapter 4: Be the Master of Your Plan
Chapter 5: The Purposeful Workday
Chapter 6: Check Your Atitude at the Door
Chapter 7: People Management
Chapter 8: Moving Up in the World
Chapter 9: Youre the Boss Now!
They Dont Teach Corporate in College Alexandra Levit
Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 8
Chapter 10: Exist Stage Lef
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
They Dont Teach Corporate in College Alexandra Levit
Business Book Summaries

September 12, 2012 Copyright 2012 EBSCO Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved Page 9
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