Getting on the Same Page:

To get along with a boss it is important to understand his/her personality and individual preferences and have the ability to adapt your behavior to ensure a positive relationship. Developing good human relationship skills is especially important once you enter the world of work. Understanding your boss's unique personality can make your job as an intern much easier as well as more rewarding and a better learning experience overall.

It's important for interns and new employees to be able to work independently as well as part of a team.

If you are someone who needs direction before completing a task, you will want a boss who likes to maintain a "hands on" approach when supervising others. On the other hand, if you absolutely hate having someone standing over your shoulder and watching you, you will probably be more comfortable with a supervisor who supervises from a distance.

Bosses seek individuals who are self motivated, energized, and who exhibit a go-getter attitude that gets the work done right and completed on time.

Learning Your Manager's Style:

It is your job to fit in with the management style and understand how the office operates. By providing your boss with a feeling of confidence in your decision-making skills, you will create an atmosphere of trust and respect and ultimately better working relationships with co-workers and supervisors. Learning how your boss wants you to communicate and handle problems can make your life as an intern much easier.

Bosses are human beings who have their own way of dealing with problems and generating solutions.

Taking the time to learn your supervisor's management style, will go a long way to making your life as an intern much easier. Notice your bosses mode of communication. Does he/she communicate with staff mainly through email and written communications or does he/she prefer face to face discussions?

By maintaining your cool in the heat of an argument, you will exhibit self-restraint and provide an opportunity for you to cool off and think things over prior to speaking. Taking the time to understand a problem will provide an opportunity to replace negative emotions by settling down and reacting professionally.

Tips From a Career Counselor:

Lance Choy (Career Counselor, Stanford University) says:

Every office has its own culture and set of rules, and failure to follow them can be disastrous. Choy offers some common 'don'ts' when working in an office:

• Not paying attention to the start and finish hours for the office.
• Starting late and leaving early are definitely not good things.
• Not adhering to the dress code, formal or informal. Establish yourself before you try expressing yourself through your appearance.
• Failure to complete work on time. This can be very upsetting to an employer.

Letting someone else tell the boss you made a mistake. Be sure that you're the one that tells the boss you have made a mistake. Take responsibility for your own actions.

Not getting along with other office staff. It pays to be nice.

Letting your boss know that you're smarter than he/she is. Remember, your job is to make your boss look good, and you can learn something from any boss. Lose the attitude and do what you need to do.

Not asking for help if you're having problems. Bosses love resourceful workers, but if you're having problems and need help, ask! Don't wait till the problem is out of control.

Learn more about what other career counselors from top universities have to say to new graduates.