Harsh Lessons Corporate Teach You About The Real World. 

Whether fresh out of college or starting your first job in the corporate world, you may have all kinds of emotions: overwhelmed, excitement, anxiety, and intimidation. Starting your corporate life may sound like a dream come true for some of you since you can start making money. 

However, corporate life is different from what you see in the media. Not everyone knows what corporate life is like until they get their first job and experience it themselves.

You'll be surprised by what you learn and see when you first step into the corporate world. Whether you like it or not, the corporate world is real, and knowing the game's rules can help you avoid any mistakes. 

List Of Things No One Ever Tells You About The Corporate World

1. Making Mistakes Is Key To Success

No one can be perfect because that is not possible. Making mistakes is inevitable, and you shouldn't fear failure or rejection. Success comes from failure. Just as Bill Gates says, “It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”

People love celebrating their successes, but it is also important to pay attention to their failures. Mistakes are made because they show you what works and what doesn't. It gives you another opportunity to think and do. 

2. Know When To Say No 

Take on only a few tasks to impress others. People love to be praised for their work and achievements, but is it worth your mental and physical state? You should know your limits and boundaries.

Your mental and physical health should always come first, and learning how to advocate for yourself in the workplace is essential. If you have too many tasks and are overwhelmed, saying no to your colleagues is alright. 

3. Keep Your Personal And Professional Life Separate

In a recent report, more than 27% of white-collar workers said they were about to quit their jobs because they struggled to keep a work-life balance. In the corporate world, it is essential to maintain professionalism.

This means avoiding gossiping about colleagues or sharing too much personal information. It is also necessary to be mindful of your body language and how you dress, as these things can make a big impression on those around you.

4. You Are Replaceable

If you work at a big corporate firm, you can be replaced within a day or a week once you quit. Everyone will forget you in less than three weeks. You may think you are carrying the company's success but think again.

You are a number that is meant to do the work on behalf of the company. Do not let your emotions get to you if you plan on quitting for a better opportunity. 

5. Who You Know Matters More

You may think your skills and education are more important than connections to get a prestigious job, but that is not the case. About 30-40% of new hires come from employee referrals.

If you plan on getting a job, your best chance is to know someone from your industry. If two candidates were to apply, and one had a connection, guess who would get the job offer? 

6. Your Colleagues Are Not Your Friends 

Having friendly and social colleagues is great, but that doesn't guarantee an everlasting friendship. When building and developing relationships at work, it's unnecessary to let them know everything about your personal life.

Your colleague may be a friend today but a foe tomorrow. The purpose of building a workplace relationship is to advance in your professional career. It's often better to keep things professional and cordial rather than try to force a friendship. 

7. Change Is Inevitable 

You may evolve, have new goals, and want to make a career switch, and that's okay! Humans are meant to thrive and change over time. Nothing remains the same forever. In the corporate structure, change is inevitable.

Things are constantly shifting and evolving, and a corporate executive needs to be flexible. If you can adapt to change quickly, you will be better equipped to handle the challenges that come your way.

8. There Is No Room For Ego 

The corporate world is often rife with egos. From the CEO down to the lowest-paid intern, many people in business put their own interests ahead of the company's. This can create a competitive and cutthroat environment where only the strongest survive.

However, there is no room for ego in the corporate world. The focus should always be on the company's goals and objectives, not individual agendas. When egos are allowed to run rampant, it can lead to infighting, backstabbing, and a general breakdown of communication.

Keeping your ego in check when working in the corporate world is essential. Remember that you are part of a team and that your actions should always be in the company's best interest. Leave your ego at the door and work with your colleagues to create a successful business.

9. Your Extra Effort Will Go Unnoticed

It's likely that you put in a lot of work every day at your job because you want to be promoted or get a higher salary. However, not everyone will see what you are doing behind the scenes.

In corporations, there are a lot of employees, so a single supervisor will only keep track of some of the employees. It is frustrating to get no reward for all your hard work, but that is the reality.

When you finish the work, you just get more work. You don't want to keep working until you burn out, do you? You have to know your boundaries and where to put your energy. It's more likely your supervisor will notice your flaws than your contributions. That is corporate life, my friend. 

10. Meetings Are A Waste Of Time

You might be excited to go to your first big job meeting, but when you start going to them regularly, you'll see how much time you waste and how unproductive they are. Most of the time, meetings last for eternity and make one mentally tired.

Companies hold these meetings way too often because they think they are “productive” and “useful,” However, if there is no clear objective to the meeting, it will be a complete waste of time. By the time you look at the time, it's lunchtime. You haven't gotten any work done, and you might have to work overtime to finish all your tasks.

Lessons Learned Yet?

Did those lessons hit you hard? It might be a lot to take in, but it's the reality. Keep these few things in mind before making a move into corporate America. It can be a tough transition, but if you go in prepared with your eyes open, you'll do fine. Best of luck as you start this new chapter in your life!