It’s time to bear the fruits of your labor and SLAY. 1. Keep appointments. Or cancel courteously. There are no doubt going to be times when things pop up last minute – whether it’s a family emergency or you suddenly fall ill – it’s understandable that you will have to cancel an appointment every now and then. The key phrase here is “now and then;” not “whenever you feel like it.” When you sign up to attend an event, or a workshop, or a one-on-one meeting, you are responsible for following through and showing up, no matter how comfy your bed is or how far behind on homework you are. You wanted this, at some point or other, and it’s disrespectful to be absent without notifying anyone. So, on the offhand chance you truly cannot make the appointment any longer, be sure to let someone know and offer a sincere apology for the time lost, and offer to reschedule. 2. Going along with that idea, show up on time. When someone agrees to meet with you, they are actively giving up a part of their day and setting it aside just for you. To show up late without a valid excuse is a poor reflection on you and a bad way to start off any relationship. If you realize you are going to be late for reasons out of your control, such as traffic, you should attempt to contact them and at least give them a heads-up and apologize beforehand to let them know you are still coming. 3. Always write a "thank you" note of some kind. Because it’s such a small gesture, it can be easy to forget to write a note after meeting with someone, but it is absolutely pivotal if you hope to build relationships and establish a set of contacts. However, not all thank you notes are created equal. For different types of meetings and interviews, different types of notes are necessary. For more information, read here. 4. Be proactive. This goes without saying but it is imperative that you conduct research and have some sort of game plan before venturing into any office, or even any online forum for job posts. Prioritize what you want to get out of each interview, each internship, each and every person you meet, and believe in your ability to make something of yourself. Having background knowledge on what you’re getting yourself into will only help your chances. 5. Make a goal list. If you’re familiar with the idea behind making a bucket list, you can approach a goal list in just about the same way. It’s the same concept, but with a twist – it marks your professional goals rather than your personal ones. If your end goal is to get a job, a goal list can help you break down the steps needed to reach your end goal (a job in x field or for y company) and help you see all the hoops you’ll have to jump through (so they don't blindside you) before you can reach that final pillar of success. Not only that, but putting things down on paper makes them more real – it gives you something to tie your dreams to, and holds you accountable for fulfilling your goals.
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