5 Job Skills You Didnt Learn in College

5 Job Skills You Didnt Learn in College5 Job Skills You Didnt Learn in CollegeYouve completed all the required coursework, amassed a crazy amount of knowledge, and earned a pristine new diploma, but did those new letters behind your name really prepare you to enter the real world?Unfortunately, the typical university doesnt offer courses in getting a promotion, working with a difficult boss, and navigating the office setting. Even if your college years did teach you how to juggle multiple projects, manage your time, and create a sweet Excel model- all workplace essentials- the real world is full of many mora surprises that you wont figure out until you get there.Heres a crash course in the job skills that professors really cant teach you and- more importantly- how to learn them before your first day of work.1.Working with PeopleSure, youve had countless group projects to complete and encountered quite a few different personalities in the process, so what else could you need to prepar e for? Believe it or notlage, even more personalities.Youll need to learn how to deal with the subtle social aspects of your office culture and the people who make it that way the receptionist who will appreciate a hello in the morning, the colleague who takes offense to too many questions, and the manager who shoots your ideas down every single time. You wont just be working with your peers any more, youll need to understand how people from all generations and backgrounds operate.Plus, your group wont dissolve at the end of the semester- it will be there, day after day, year after year, so no matter what, youll need to get along with them.2. CompetitionIf you were an athlete or had classes that graded on a curve, youre probably used to pretty fierce competition. The cubicle worlds got nothing on the soccer field, right?Wrong. When money and career advancement are on the line, it can be taken to a whole new extreme. Whether its for clients, promotions, or just being the boss go-to p erson, be prepared for people to push and compete like youve never seen before- and be ready to have to push and compete right along with them.3.ResponsibilityUnfortunately, its not typical for jobs to let you choose your schedule, which means youll have to be on time every single day- oversleeping has many more repercussions than a dirty look from your professor. Your new responsibilities will extend far beyond those early mornings, too. Youll be accountable (solely, in some cases) for work, projects, meetings, and many, many emails. If you miss one of these or mess something up, you wont just get a bad grade that can be made up for later with extra credit. Your work affects others, and it affects a geschftsleben.4.PresentingGiving a presentation in front of a class can help give you some public-speaking practice, but learning how to present effectively in front of a boss or client is something else entirely. Youll need to learn how to sell an idea, not just explain it. And while y oure doing so, youll need to dodge questions, interruptions, and differences in opinion, all the while keeping your cool and being able to pick up where you left off without skipping a beat.5.Handling FeedbackIf you got a B on a paper, you might be ecstatic- especially if it was a tough topic and if the professor is known for his harsh grading. However, in the business world, a B just means that you should have gotten an A. In fact, you wont even be told that you got a B. Youll have to listen to the feedback youre given, figure out what it really means, and constantly make the effort to do better next time.On the flip side, when you do an exceptional job at work, you dont get the satisfaction of that extra + on top of the A. Instead, you may get nothing at all, or you may have to wait the better part of the year to find out if you got that promotion. Dealing with feedback- and sometimes the lack of it- means adjusting to a whole new way of being evaluated.So, how should you get your self ready for this world of the unknown? You cant know everything about a workplace until you get in there and get your feet wet, but learning some of these skills and lessons before you start your first job will prepare you and help you excel much more quickly.Try to incorporate yourself into as many office settings as possible prior to graduation- navigating a full-time job will come much more naturally if youve had even a little work experience. Get an internship, a part-time job, or even volunteer.You can also take specialized classes on business and business etiquette. But to really prepare yourself, dont just listen to the teacher. Look at each class discussion or case study logically, and ask yourself how you would handle it in real life.Finally, talk to as many people as possible, and try to find a professional mentor. Someone you admire and who has real-world experience can prepare you for an office environment and help you navigate new situations you encounter.With some e xperience, knowledge, and an appropriate thought process, youll be ready to hit the ground running and navigate all the new situations that come your way.Photo courtesy ofShutterstock.