Your First Job

So, you’ve moved beyond the days of babysitting, mowing lawns or pizza delivery. Congratulations! Now that you’re starting a “real” job, do you know how to be a success at it? While there are no guarantees, here are some tips to help you make a great first impression and more.

• It’s not your life.

  While this first job is important and you should give it your all, it’s not going to be the only job you ever have. Talk to your parents or older coworkers. You’ll be surprised at how many jobs and/or career changes many of them have had. Just think of this as a stepping stone to a long and successful career.
   

• Learn more, talk less.

  Asking questions is important, but so is listening. You may feel you have it all in the bag and know more than your new coworkers, but chances are you don’t. Learn from their experience about the job, industry and company culture. Show everyone you’re willing to learn and can be trusted to do what’s expected of you.
   

• Stay observant.

  This is your time to learn how business works. Pay attention to how coworkers of different management levels interact with each other, figure out how decisions are made there and see out how you fit in to the grand scheme of things.
   

• Keep growing.

  Even though you got hired in at your current position with a specific job description, it doesn’t mean you can’t grow beyond those constraints. Many companies expect you to do just that. Develop all the skills you can where you are so you are a full contributor at work and you’ll be able to move up in that company or even a new one.