If you’ve just graduated or are about to take your first step on the career ladder, getting your first job can be both nerve-wracking and exciting, but we’re here to help. If you want to make the best impression and get the most you can from a new role then we’ve got the advice on how to succeed in your first job.
Don’t begrudge your status
You may feel like a sore thumb as the ‘newbie’ on your team that hasn’t found their footing yet, but being new to the world of jobs has its advantages. You can surprise people who may write off millennials as impatient or self-obsessed with your determination to do a good job and your drive, and in turn earn their respect to be trusted with future projects.
Learning doesn’t end at uni
If you’re a recent graduate you may think that your education days are behind you, but one of the top ways how to succeed in your first job is to change this mind-set. Go into any job with an open mind and see it as an opportunity to enhance current skills and develop new ones. Use your own initiative when you can, after all it’s probably one of the reasons you were hired, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. Embrace new experiences and have a go at something that you’re unfamiliar with, you may discover a hidden talent you never knew you had that can benefit your job prospects in the future.
Make the right connections
If you act in an unfriendly way in your first role, you certainly won’t win any favours and will get a bad reputation from the outset that may stick with you when you need a reference. Instead, be friendly and polite to all of your colleagues, help them out if you can and they’ll remember your good deeds when you need a hand in return. Similarly, being on your bosses good side is one of the best things you can do. Don’t suck up to them, but learn what they expect from you and make sure you act on it.
I came in like a wrecking ball
You may think that the top way how to succeed in your first job is to come into it and switch things up with your fresh ideas and perspective, but this isn’t always a good idea. Most offices have an unofficial system or culture already in place and people that have been there long before you that will stay long after as well. Yes you should bring new ideas to the table, but wanting to change the way an office runs to suit you will never work. See how the environment sits with you, if you like it then great, and if you don’t think you’ll ever fit in then you don’t have to stay in the position forever.
Make the effort
No one expects you to work until you drop, but going the extra mile sometimes is always appreciated. Your boss and colleagues will notice if you offer to stay a little later to lend a helping hand on a project or come in early to get prepared for a meeting, and offering any skills that your colleagues may find useful can also help to build good connections.
Ready to take the first step? Check out all of our fantastic jobs here!