I always thought that I was a special case, but recently a good friend got laid off after only a couple of weeks of being hired, and the little information I have, makes me think that it was under the same premise. I did OK at that job that I mention and left on my own to start my own firm, but I would have loved some guidance at the time, and in some part I feel responsible for not guiding my young friend this time, so here is some unsolicited advice on the subject:

• Never start by making ugly things pretty, those only impress yourself. (ex. Websites, Letterhead, etc.)
• You are not supposed to generate money, or so they told you in school, but the truth is that if you don’t bring some dough in some way, you will be gone soon.
• You are the sole Marketing Dept., bring business, and generate leads.  There are dozens of ways to generate leads, think cheap (there is a phone next to you, and you probably have an email account)
• “Act your age, not your shoe size.”
• Make an action plan with deadlines and make it public.
• Report your success (I hope you have some).
• Don’t look busy, make yourself busy. Learn as much as you can about the product/service and your company’s history.
• Educate yourself in the industry you are in, chances are you know nothing of selling tampons if you are a guy.
• Try to enjoy your time at you new job.
• Let your boss know that you know what you are doing (even if you don’t).
• Make sure to talk to everyone, let them know who you are and what your goals are.
• Make some friends; it will make lunch time more fun.
• As soon as you sit on that chair, start looking for a better job.

And there you have it, some unsolicited advice for the young and employed.  I wish you the best of luck.

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