"101 Tips for Graduates" by Susan Morem

• In the real world, arriving late for work is never acceptable, nor is leaving unannounced, despite the reason.
• Paychecks and pay raises replace report cards and become the only tangible measure of success.
• We are evaluated throughout our entire lives.
• In the real world, we are graded on our skills: work skills, communication skills, leadership skills, and social skills. We also are graded on our behavior: We’re expected to practice self-discipline, work well with others, and have a positive attitude.
• People expect you to look, act, and dress professionally and appropriately.
• Strive to improve yourself professionally and personally every single day.
• Decide what you want. Every decision you make will either move you toward your goals or push you away from them.
• If you aren’t enthusiastic about what you’re doing, consider doing something else.
• Failure is temporary and is nothing to be embarrassed about.
• Don’t spend more than you earn; spend less. Stay out of debt and invest in yourself.
• Become a lifelong learner; be a student of life.
• The more you know, the more you know you don’t know.
• Seek knowledge and learn something new every chance you get.
• Everyone makes mistakes.
• Strive never to repeat the same mistake.
• Know when and how to say no and mean it.
• Take risks, seize opportunities, and create your own good fortune.
• Put a stamp of quality on everything you do.
• Live a quality life.
• Success is what you make of your life. If you compare yourself to others, you will always fall short. Compare yourself to your goals and desires; you have everything you need to succeed.
• No job is beneath you. Any job that’s legal is honorable and probably pays you more in a month than people in many parts of the world make in a year.
• Treat everyone with respect, regardless of status or position.
• Identify your values; know what’s important to you in life, and never compromise the things you value most.
• Your success (or lack of it) is up to you, and if things don’t go well, there's no one to blame but yourself.
• The secret to a successful job search is to take it seriously and treat it like a job by devoting a significant amount of time to it each day.
• When you find yourself waiting for the phone to ring, pick it up and make a call, then another and another.
• You must pursue the job you want and set yourself apart from others who are vying for the same position.
• You do need to have at least one good suit to wear to interviews and a few additional pieces to mix and match.
• Always dress a little better than you need to; it will help you establish yourself as a person the company should hire.
• Purchase the best-quality clothing you can afford.
• Always consult a tailor to ensure your clothing fits properly.
• If you don’t look as though you take yourself seriously or your career seriously, no one will take you seriously either.
• Never, ever, underestimate the power of your image.
• You need to research the industry and company prior to every interview.
• Proofread all your emails, memos, and letters before sending them.
• The most common reason for procrastination is perfectionism. We tell ourselves that if we can’t do it right, or perfectly, we’ll put it off until we can.
• If you try to please everyone, you’ll end up pleasing no one.
• You are always better off asking than assuming.
• The way you sound will overshadow the words you say.
• Everyone makes mistakes. Admit yours when you make them.
• Say what you mean and mean what you say.
• Powerful people give the impression they are powerful and know how to command attention.
• Don’t be too proud to ask for help or advice.
• The more you focus on a goal, the more likely you are to accomplish it.
• Tell people what you need and ask for what you want.
• If you want something, it’s up to you to get it.
• Successful people view failure as a temporary setback rather than a permanent resolution.
• When all else is equal, the person who looks most professional and successful almost always wins.
• Don’t dress for the position you have. Dress for the position you want.
• The best way to learn is by doing.
• Success isn’t a result of the amount of time you put in each day; it’s what you do with your time when you’re working that counts.
• It may be easier to avoid your problems, but they never really go away unless you face them.
• You’ll never find time to do the things you want to do; you must schedule time for the things that are most important to you.
• Setting goals is important; you need to identify the things you want and create a plan for your future.
• Your long-term success is a result of the things you do every day.
• What you do each day will either move you closer to your goals or prevent you from reaching them.
• Be honest with yourself and others; don’t sugarcoat the truth.
• Your reputation is a result of everything you do -- or don’t do.
• What you do is what people remember.
• Your actions reveal your true feelings. Do more and say less. Actions really do speak louder than words.
• You are better off not committing than offering to do something but failing to follow through.
• If you frequently fall behind or fail to accomplish what you set out to do, either someone is expecting too much of you or you are expecting too much of yourself.
• You are more likely to succeed when you believe you can. Your beliefs create your reality; you choose what you believe.
• Some of the most important things in your life are right before your eyes. Take the time to notice and appreciate what you have. Consider yourself fortunate.
• Sometimes the best response to a person or situation is no response.
• Accept the compliments you receive, and be generous in giving compliments to others.
• Its important to live intentionally. You need to know who you are and where you are going.
• Making mistakes is one of the crucial ways that people learn.
• Admit mistakes as soon as possible.