Tips for working at large companies

[peteblue]

As someone who has been there and done that in a few multinationals I would say ignore all these losers have told you. Not one of them knows what they are talking about......harsh but true...... Be confident, be different, understand how the company is organised and how it really operates, think big, think strategic, put yourself into challenging positions, understand your own weaknesses and put them right year by year, find yourself someone really senior to mentor you and bloody well listen to them, don't play politics, never say a bad word against anyone, actively help to develop those below you, and in terms of work always be seen as the one who tells the absolute truth......credibility is everything.....whatever talent you have will take care of the rest.......

Oh I forgot, also be brave. After progressing through all the engineering grades and having had my first couple of management appointments in my middle/late twenties, my boss was promoted. He was one of 6 technical heads reporting to the Engineering Director. Anyway, the day he moved out of his office, in the days when they took all their furniture with them, I decided to move in and one of my engineers and I literally picked up my furniture and I just moved into his office after everyone had left. The next morning I was sat in there when the Director arrived. He was slightly taken aback, walked into the office and said to me "what if you don't get the job", I said "I'm sure you'll give it to me, and if not I'll move back out and find a job where they do want me", I was formally appointed later that day..........4 years later, the same Engineering Director reported to me until I was promoted again.......

 

[GlosBlue]

Don't put too many gherkins on the Big Mac! Ha

Don't think there's much different to any other size company. Work hard and you'll get rewarded. Good luck

 

[canuckblue]

Store up on sawdust. Lot of bodies to get rid of on the rise up the corporate ladder.

 

[steken1]

Find a way of putting across clearly your value and what impact you have, especially monetary, and present this to your superiors in a way that your colleagues/co-workers may not.

Align yourself with the right people.

Do not compromise your morals but show respect to the chain of command

 

[coollino]

Shave once a week, make sure none of your work clothes cost over £20, go to the toilet during work time and go to every work event if they offer free food and drink. Never mention the company you work for in your own time as that is free advertising.


Never ever ever refer to who you work for as 'we'.

Do all that, be a naturally great person and you will be fine.

 

[tadao]

Oh I forgot, also be brave. After progressing through all the engineering grades and having had my first couple of management appointments in my middle/late twenties, my boss was promoted. He was one of 6 technical heads reporting to the Engineering Director. Anyway, the day he moved out of his office, in the days when they took all their furniture with them, I decided to move in and one of my engineers and I literally picked up my furniture and I just moved into his office after everyone had left. The next morning I was sat in there when the Director arrived. He was slightly taken aback, walked into the office and said to me "what if you don't get the job", I said "I'm sure you'll give it to me, and if not I'll move back out and find a job where they do want me", I was formally appointed later that day..........4 years later, the same Engineering Director reported to me until I was promoted again.......

 

[mezzrow]

Evening lads,

Just started at a huge UK brand (after years of working at smaller companies).

It's very different to what I'm used to, and I was interested to see if anyone's had any long term experience in places like these.

What's the best ways to progress in these kinds of environments?

I'm expecting some funny responses as well as serious ones lol

Always ask yourself, "does this make my boss look good?" More important, "does this make his boss look good?"

 

[The Cowboy]

Suss out everyone's true feelings about everyone else as early as possible, and ally yourself with the majority. There's always someone everyone hates in the office and it's important that a) it's not you, and b) you're not that person's key ally.

Become the office Excel guru. All this takes is learning how to do a vlookup, but it will make you pretty much indispensable to management.

Get involved in at least one memorable project or task each year, and totally dine out on it in your appraisal. You'll be amazed how much you can eke out of the smallest of tasks.

In the first few months, never turn down the offer of post-work beers. This is where the real brown-nosing happens, often without even realising it. A simple 30 min chinwag with your boss down the pub can do more for your career than 2 years of 10 hour days.

 

[mezzrow]

Become the office Excel guru. All this takes is learning how to do a vlookup, but it will make you pretty much indispensable to management.

This all over. Vlookup is the light sabre of MS based tools. Wizard status ensues. This has been the career secret of Mrs. Mezz.

 

[Woolly Blue]

Suss out everyone's true feelings about everyone else as early as possible, and ally yourself with the majority. There's always someone everyone hates in the office and it's important that a) it's not you, and b) you're not that person's key ally.

Become the office Excel guru. All this takes is learning how to do a vlookup, but it will make you pretty much indispensable to management.

Get involved in at least one memorable project or task each year, and totally dine out on it in your appraisal. You'll be amazed how much you can eke out of the smallest of tasks.

In the first few months, never turn down the offer of post-work beers. This is where the real brown-nosing happens, often without even realising it. A simple 30 min chinwag with your boss down the pub can do more for your career than 2 years of 10 hour days.

This all over. Vlookup is the light sabre of MS based tools. Wizard status ensues. This has been the career secret of Mrs. Mezz.

*geek alert start ...

If you show people how to use subtotal rather than just sum etc then they'll think you're the dogs bollocks

I've saved people loads of time by changing =sum([range]) to =subtotal(9,[range]) and the pathetic grateful look in their eyes is, literally, priceless

If you're wondering ... subtotal works on filtered data ...

*end of geek alert

 

[The Cowboy]

*geek alert start ...

If you show people how to use subtotal rather than just sum etc then they'll think you're the dogs bollocks

I've saved people loads of time by changing =sum([range]) to =subtotal(9,[range]) and the pathetic grateful look in their eyes is, literally, priceless

If you're wondering ... subtotal works on filtered data ...

*end of geek alert

Sum? That's like Key Stage 2, man. Slap some thoroughly unnecessary pivot table action right in their mush, that's the path to true glory.

 

[mezzrow]

*geek alert start ...

If you show people how to use subtotal rather than just sum etc then they'll think you're the dogs bollocks

I've saved people loads of time by changing =sum([range]) to =subtotal(9,[range]) and the pathetic grateful look in their eyes is, literally, priceless

If you're wondering ... subtotal works on filtered data ...

*end of geek alert

Sum? That's like Key Stage 2, man. Slap some thoroughly unnecessary pivot table action right in their mush, that's the path to true glory.

"we'll just take out that load bearing wall first..."

 

[Woolly Blue]

Sum? That's like Key Stage 2, man. Slap some thoroughly unnecessary pivot table action right in their mush, that's the path to true glory.

No mate.

I've made a decent living by never delivering anything which is unnecessary.

It means we get repeat business, recommendations, a reputation for always delivering something fit for purpose without any bull and get hobnobs and nice coffee in meetings.

 

[The Esk]

No mate.

I've made a decent living by never delivering anything which is unnecessary.

It means we get repeat business, recommendations, a reputation for always delivering something fit for purpose without any bull and get hobnobs and nice coffee in meetings.

Always deliver what is asked for, and suggest with time you are certain you can deliver more

 

[Woolly Blue]

Always deliver what is asked for, and suggest with time you are certain you can deliver more

Very true.

But if you don't get nice biccies in meetings then find another client. Money isn't everything.