What if You're Smart, Pretty, and YOUNG?

Written by Smart and Pretty

Monday, 01 June 2009 02:49

There are lots of advantages for being young at the work place. Great. But we want to dig out the DISadvantages and examine how we might mitigate those. Of course, you are smart so you would try to prevent the disadvantages that come with age, however, sometimes it's inevitable - you cannot control how others want to perceive you, especially by first impression, but you can change their minds.

Do Not Emphasize Your Age
Yes, you are proud to be one of the youngest at the work place and do as good as the rest who are older than you. Please don't flaunt that, people already know you're young. Flaunting that would then make you incredibly immature.

Get Good with Someone in Power
Recognize who are the heavyweights and make sure they have your back. It is easier as a young person to seek support and guidance from an older person in charge, it's only natural if you do it in an honest, non-sleazy way. The older person usually tend to want to guide you and mentor you and will back you up when needed. When you build a strong bond with someone in power, others will not see you as a lightweight most young people get labeled.

Back End Support
The worst thing is to be young and clueless. Many young people are eager to prove their abilities and intellect so they might think of a good idea and not share with others because they want to do it themselves and "pleasantly" surprise others when done. Not a good idea. Even if you have the most brilliant thing in mind, you should still talk it over with your colleagues to make sure they are on board before you present it at a meeting or before you act upon it. This way when it comes to light, others will be able to openly support you as people at the work place don't do well with surprises.