A university education can prepare you for a professional career in any number of fields, but even the most advanced degree is likely to leave a few important things out. You may know how to run a clinical study, create a business plan or build an online database (and you definitely know to get your alumni discount on insurance) but you probably didn’t learn how to prepare for a job interview, write a business email, or create a sustainable work-life balance, all of which are arguably just as important for professional success. Consider this a crash course in the most important things you didn’t study in school. 

How to prep for a job interview

Once you’ve gotten into the building, you need to prove why you deserve a place on the payroll. This means understanding what the company does, what its challenges are and what you’d offer them as a member of the team. It also helps to think of a few questions you’d like to ask, as well as prepared answers to questions an interviewer is likely to ask you.

How to dress for a job interview

Even if you’re the best candidate for the job, you still need to look the part. That means dressing for the job you want, from your clothes to your shoes to your grooming. If that means investing in a few professional wardrobe pieces and a fresh haircut, consider it an investment in your future success.

How to lead a team

Getting hired or promoted to a leadership role is a big win, but you’ll have a steep uphill climb ahead if you don’t know how to manage the people working for you. This means learning how to motivate fellow team members, how to delegate tasks and how to set an inspiring example. Some of these skills may be more intuitive than others, but the more prepared you are, the more effective you’ll be.

How to take part in a meeting

No matter what business you’re in, meetings are an inescapable aspect of professional life. Despite this, meetings don’t have to feel pointless if you do them right. If you’re leading the meeting, this means setting a clear agenda and timeframe as well as delegating tasks and deadlines. If you’re attending the meeting, it means taking notes, offering ideas and taking part in debates.

How to navigate professional relationships

Workplaces are made up of people with biases, egos, and emotions. Learning to put your own ego aside and treat people with kindness and empathy can be the key to avoiding conflicts, making stronger connections and boosting productivity. Maintaining good relations with your team won’t just help you in your current role; you never know when one of your current colleagues might be in a position to help you with a lead or referral in the future.  

How to create a healthy work-life balance 

Work is important, but it’s not the only important thing in life. Avoiding burnout means figuring out how to make time for exercise, socializing, downtime and other things that make you happy. Counterintuitive as it may seem, the more balance you have in your life, the more productive you’ll be at work.

Professional email etiquette

In the era of text messages and DMs, many university students might rarely have had the occasion to send a professional email. The basics of effective email communication, however, including a friendly-yet-professional greeting, succinct wording, and a well-chosen sign-off, are skills that will serve you well for many years to come.  

The value of a handwritten thank-you note

In an age when the vast majority of communication is digital rather than written, a brief handwritten note on nice stationery (to say thanks for putting you onto a professional opportunity, for example, or for helping you with a project) has more value than ever.

How to fail

Whether it’s a pro athlete or a business entrepreneur, most successful people have had many failures on the road to success. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes, keep moving forward, and remain focused on your goal.

How to manage your finances

Fostering healthy financial habits is just as important as eating well, getting enough sleep, and staying active. Likewise, if you educate yourself on the basics of budgeting, saving and investing early on, it’ll pay dividends in the years ahead.

Jeremy Freed is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto. His writing about fashion, travel, food and design appears in Sharp, Harry and re:Porter magazines, among many others.

Jeremy Freed is a paid spokesperson of Sonnet Insurance.