There’s no doubt about it — your company probably has a million acronyms, abbreviations, and nicknames. When you started in your current position, you probably heard employees spouting off strings of letters and numbers that made absolutely no sense to you. If you’re lucky, you were given a manual or a cheat sheet outlining the important ones. If you weren’t so lucky, you better start asking and memorizing (flash cards, anyone?). The good news is that we’ve broken down some general acronyms for you right here:

EOD
What it stands for: End of Day
How to use it: “I’d like to see the completed project by EOD if possible.”

Q1, Q2, etc.
What it stands for: First quarter, second quarter, etc.
How to use it: “Our Q1 results will be released today.”

B2B or B2C
What it stands for: Business to business or business to consumer
How to use it: “We sell our services to other businesses so we’re B2B but they sell their products directly to customers so they are B2C.”

CEO, CMO, CFO, CIO, COO, etc.
What it stands for: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Operating Officer
How to use it: “The CEO called a meeting with all of the senior executives including the CMO, CFO, CIO, and COO.”

RFP
What it stands for: Request for proposal
How to use it: “They just turned in the RFP for our latest project.”

P&L
What it stands for: Profit and loss
How to use it: “Check the P&L statement for the results.”

We’ve touched on new hire etiquette and tips for succes as a new employee, but we’ve got some more advice for you. After all, you don’t want to go from hired to fired before you can even celebrate your new gig. Here are three things to avoid if you want your new boss to let you “pass go” at the end of your probationary period, which can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

DON’T Be a Know-It-All.
You were hired because of your expertise, there’s not doubt about it. But don’t get overly confident. You are the new kid on the block, which is a tough place to be. Act humble and take in any advice you can get. Think twice before making rash statements about how the business is run — you don’t know the full story yet.

DON’T Expect a Pat on the Back at the End of Every Day.
It doesn’t mean your boss doesn’t appreciate your work. In fact, it might be a good thing if nothing is said! That means things are running smoothly and you’re fitting right in. Try setting up a monthly check-in with your boss to get some general feedback then remember those glowing comments when you are feeling under-appreciated.

DON’T Burn Yourself Out.
This is a marathon, not a sprint. Your new boss wants you — the shiny new employee — to perform at a top level. And you can’t do that if you’ve overextended yourself. Acclimate to your new position slowly but efficiently. Ask the right questions before diving into a project that will get you over your head. Be smart about it and you’ll do great.

Image by Kumar Appaiah/Flickr.

Regardless of what stage of your career you are in, volunteering can have big payoffs. And there are plenty of opportunities out there. Sites like Volunteer Match or Serve.gov can help put you in touch with a local organization that needs your help. Or just pick up the phone and offer your services to someone in need. Here’s how volunteering is a win-win situation:

If you’re a college student…
Recent graduates need to have real-life work experiences and beyond internships, volunteering is the best way to get this. Not only does it show dedication and commitment, but you may be able to offer your time to a non-profit in a way that can directly help your career. I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine! They can offer you a great reference, and you can offer them great work.

If you’re mid career…
Think of volunteering like exercise for your mind. A weekly or monthly commitment will improve your mood and may even inspire your work — or increase your productivity level. You may learn a new skill, make a new connection, or find a new passion. You may even want to get your family involved.

If you’re an experienced career person…
As a higher-level executive in your company, why not organize a company-wide volunteering event or program? Not only will you be helping the community, but you’ll also get to know employees from different departments in a new setting. Teamwork and a breath of fresh air might be exactly the kind of inspiration your office needs.

Be reliable. It’s our number one tip for new hire success. How do you do it? Why should you do it? If you’re reliable, you’ll build your credibility. And vice versa. Both are key attributes in getting you your next promotion and the respect your hard work deserves.

Reliability, credibility, and respect. Some will argue that you only need two of the three to find success: if you produce great work and meet your deadlines, it’s OK if you’re kind of a jerk to work with. If you are really easy to work with and always meet your deadlines, it’s OK if the final product isn’t perfect. And if you produce great work and are really easy to work with, it’s ok if you miss a few deadlines.

We’re going to argue that you should strive for all three of these qualities. Here’s how you can do it:

Be Reliable.
Meet deadlines. Consistently suggest interesting solutions for problems. Be engaged and interested in conversations and coworkers. Reliability brings trust which brings respect. And it’s hard to be successful without it.

Be Credible.
Produce good work. Do you research. Talk to the right people. Check off all the boxes that need to be checked and follow all the rules. Everything you touch should have your star of approval — and that approval should have a very high bar.

Be Respectful.
Awareness of people’s time and feelings is crucial in the workplace. Everyone is busy, so if you’re invited to a meeting show up on time and engaged — regardless of how stressed out you are. The same goes for each work day. Life is hard, but you have a job to do. So do it right.

If you’ve already followed our new hire etiquette, then good for you. You’re well on your way to success. But the professionalism can’t stop after the first month. If you can maintain an aura of hard work and politeness for a whole year, people will start to recognize you. Coworkers will respect you. And most importantly — your boss will love you. Here are 10 tips that all new hires should follow — especially recent grads:

10. Don’t engage coworkers in useless chit chat while they’re working hard at their desks.
9. Politely decline a request for useless chit chat when you’re the one trying to get work done at your desk.
8. Don’t join in conversations that you’re not apart of. Let people do their business — or their gossip — on their own.
7. Turn your cell phone on vibrate when at work, and keep it hidden during meetings.
6. Be aware of your surroundings — that means keeping your voice down when on the phone or when talking to a coworker.
5. Don’t become a slave to email. Respond in a timely manner, but know that you don’t need to respond instantly every time.
4. Participate in meetings instead of mindlessly responding to emails on your phone.
3. Consistently arrive on time in the mornings. And on time for meetings.
2. Get your work done on time — if you’re staying late every night, your productivity or your workload needs an adjustment.
1. Be reliable. Do what you said you’d do when you said you’d do it!

What else would you add?

Image by Hey Paul Studios.

Maybe you stumbled upon our Spectrum Brands Careers blog because you’re unhappy in your current position. Maybe you started browsing our job descriptions and something caught your eye. Maybe you even began updating your resume… but then chickened out. Everyone has bad days at work, but how do you know when it’s time to put in your two weeks notice? Here are three reasons why you should pursue a new opportunity stat. (P.S. Our current job openings are right here.)

1. Your current position is making you physically ill.
It sounds extreme, but long bouts of unhappiness and stress — experienced day in and day out — will show signs on your body. If your work isn’t fulfilling and it doesn’t allow you the flexibility to live a healthy lifestyle physically and mentally, then it’s time to move on. You deserve better. Read how to look for a job when you have a job.

2. You have a career plan — and it doesn’t involve staying in this job.
Think about your long-term career goals including where you see yourself in five years. If you don’t see yourself at this company (because there are no opportunities or because you don’t want them), where do you see yourself? How will you get there? Start looking at job opportunities elsewhere and see if they set you on the right path. If you find something perfect, remember to follow these steps on how to leave your job on the right terms.

3. You don’t have a good enough reason to stay.
If you’re perfectly complacent in your job, maybe it’s time for a change. You won’t grow professionally unless you’re learning new skills and challenging yourself. Maybe now is the perfect time to accept that challenge. Are you up for it?

Image via 1time 4 your mind/Flickr.

If you’re limiting your job search to your current hometown, it’s like putting a cap on your career success. Sure, moving is no small feat. It can be expensive, time consuming, and stressful. But it can have huge payoffs in your professional life and your personal life. So when do you know when it’s right to take the plunge, accept a job offer, and move someplace new? Ask yourself these questions:

1. Are there other career opportunities in this organization or in this city?
Because moving is such a big life change, it’s important to make the move worth it. Does this position offer long-term career growth? Are there lots of opportunities for promotion within this company? Are there other companies within your industry that are located in or near this city? If you are OK with moving in a couple years, do you feel this position boosted your career in a positive direction? Not every move has to be permanent. Just make sure it makes sense for your career.

2. Would I consider moving to this city even if I didn’t have a great job offer?
Don’t accept a job unless you know your personal life can flourish as well as your professional life. What are your interests? Can you satisfy those urges in this city? If you’re single, is there a “scene” where you can meet people? Is the weather acceptable to you? Is the city located near your family or near other great cities? Really analyze what makes you happy, and see if this city meets those criteria.

3. What are the costs associated with moving?
In a perfect world, every company would pay to move you upon signing a job contract. But it turns out, there’s more behind a move than simply the costs of moving. Check a cost-of-living calculator to see how your new salary will hold up in the new city. What is the average cost of renting or buying property? A big city may sound great, but if you can’t afford to enjoy it, it’s not worth the move. Small towns may not sound as exciting, but there may be opportunities for home ownership and an ever-growing savings account, which can be used to pursue interests like travel.

Image by Marie Coleman/Flickr.

A job search is full of hope and promise and each job description brings new possibilities. But every job seeker has to admit that they applied to at least one job that wasn’t what they were looking for. And every employee has to admit that they accepted at least one position that didn’t live up to their expectations. How can you prevent this? We break it down here.

Don’t focus on the title.
Labels aren’t as important as the actual duties you’ll be performing on the job. The title of “sports marketing associate” sounds great but if you’re just making sales calls day in and day out, you’re not going to be marketing anything and you’re surely not going to be happy. Look beyond the title for the attributes that you want in a position.

Figure out what you want.
What are the top three characteristics that you want in a job? What’s important to you? Job searching is like dating. You need to figure out what makes you tick and what will make your career fulfilling and meaningful. These questions will help you figure out what’s best for you.

Analyze the requirements.
What skills are listed in the job description? Are they general or specialized? Are they entry-level or advanced? This can give you insight into whether or not the position is appropriate for your experience level. If you do make it to the interview round, really dig in and ask the difficult questions if you’re concerned. You might save yourself a lot of time — and save yourself from a big mistake.

Image by D. Sharon Pruitt. 

All that’s on your mind right now is summer: warm weather, vacation, relaxation. Time off to rejuvenate your mind and get your head back in the game. Unfortunately, your job search isn’t going to reap the same benefits from “time off.” Even if you’re suffering from job search burnout, you have to stay strong. Here are ways to refocus your mind while still working toward your ultimate goal: a job offer.

1. Take a career-relevant course.
You know that one skill you keep seeing listed in job descriptions that makes your stomach a little queasy? That one thing you know you’re not so great at, but hope you can talk your way through during the interview? Maybe it’s public speaking or Excel or leadership or Photoshop. Whatever the skill is, there’s a class — online or otherwise — that can help you perfect it.

2. Join a professional organization.
You never know who will help you get hired for your next position — or a position down the road. And that’s why networking is so important. A professional organization can put you in touch with leaders in your industry as well as keep you up to date with the current trends and news. Maybe it will even spark a newfound appreciation for your chosen career path.

3. Reach out to alumni.
Set up informational interviews with college alumni who are in your industry. Which company do they work for? What do they love about their job? Is there anyone else they can put you in touch with? You might find insight into a new career path or learn a new tip about breaking into the industry. The worst case scenario is that you’ve made a new connection. And that’s great!

Image by Tambako the Jaguar.

Even the most seasoned career veterans dread interviews. They’re stressful! It’s too easy to psyche yourself out and think you won’t get hired all while trying to stifle your bad habits like avoiding eye contact. If you’re a new graduate, the feelings are even more intense. We can’t tell you exactly what you can do to land the job, but we can tell you what not to do. Avoid these common new graduate pitfalls during your next interview and you’ll be a step ahead of the rest.

Stop with the “learning opportunity” nonsense.
What a company can do for you or your career is not what’s most important in an interview. It’s all about what you can do for them. So tell them.

Don’t act desperate.
Even if you’re obsessed with Company A and you’re dying for this job, don’t act desperate. Act knowledgeable. Show your passion for the company and the industry by talking about like an old pro.

Don’t hold back.
Avoid at all costs using the phrase, “If you could just give me a chance…” Show off your skills NOW, not after you are potentially hired. The interview is when you must sell yourself. Hard.

Stop being intimidated.
You’re talented, you’re fresh out of school, and you have unique skills that this company is looking for. Be proud of your hard work and know that it’s valuable.