A plan to set ourselves apart in the professional world

“You need to have a plan to stand out,” emphasized Javier Alonso, a human resources executive, during the employment series organized employment the University of Navarra for students at campus , where he discussed the key strategies for making an impression during the first few months work .

Alonso posed a question to the audience: “What are companies looking for and expecting when they recruit talent?” and listed some answers: a desire to learn, commitment, proactivity… “Companies are looking for people who want to continuously learn and grow, not just follow the rules,” he noted. That is why, he explained, it is important to be aware of the mark we leave at each stage of development.

Our first week in the business

“Your first few days shape your professional image, so you need to be mindful of that and take care to cultivate it,” explained Javier Alonso. “You need to be able to convey responsibility, humility, interest, a positive attitude, confidence, and the ability to fit in.”

The first month

“In the first month,” Alonso continued, “the goal to learn, network, and maintain professionalism:sample willingness to learn by asking questions and, above all, taking notes. Be socially proactive, be helpful, and avoid comparing the company to others. Get to know the organization well, pay attention to your written communication, limit the time you spend on your phone, and prioritize quality.” At this point, the executive noted that those who last are the ones who adapt best to change.

Starting in the third month

At this point, Javier Alonso noted that employers are lookingfor “evidence of contribution and soft skills”and recommended seeking feedback, becoming more self-reliant, taking the initiative, and becoming more reliable. “Do you talk to yourselves? Those are the hardest conversations to have, which is why we don’t have them,” he said, highlighting the importance of self-awareness.

As the sixth month approaches, or toward the end of the first year in the role, the executive noted that progress should be evident and that the groundwork laid—initiative, proactivity, and reliability—should have been solidified. “This is the time to create value,” he emphasized. “Success is the result actions, feedback, measuring our impact, and update action plan.”

Javier Alonso stated that the equation for value is the result adding knowledge skill multiplying it by attitude, and he had a message for young people facing their first job interviews: “We all have a natural gift, but precisely because it’s natural, we don’t always recognize it; we need to ask our boss and our colleagues so we can turn it into a strength.”