We all have gotten excited to start working at some point in our lives. There is the idea of independence and responsibility that draws us in. But finding your first job can be hard and nerve-wracking at times. You might be worried about if your first job defines your career.
Your first job doesn’t define your career; however, it does provide you with skills that can be applied to your future work. No matter the job, you will learn information that can be applied across your career. It’s an opportunity to build your portfolio as a worker to find jobs in your desired field.
Let’s talk more about your first job and the opportunities to take from it.
Will your first job define your career?
Your first job won’t define your career, but it will teach you some important lessons that will help you in the future. You’ll learn about the industry you want to work in and about the way you work best. You’ll also learn about the type of work culture you’re looking for, and about how to communicate with people on all levels. This can include your employer, fellow workers and clients or customers.
People become concerned about having a bad first job experience and this having an impact their career. Sometimes it is the way the workplace is run, which is something you can’t control. But other times there are things you can do to generate a positive first job experience.
Having an open and honest relationship with your superiors and co-workers from the beginning is beneficial for workplace support. This helps build your communication skills and strong work relationships. Taking the initiative to try new things and be flexible in your role will also help. It will mean that you won’t be stuck doing the same thing each day and you can prove your ability to work hard. Employers appreciate when you apply yourself well to a job and will look to give you more responsibility. This will create a challenging work environment that appreciates your skills and is open to teaching you more skills. These skills can be carried with you throughout your whole career.
So, while your first job doesn’t define your career, it can be the beginning building block for your work skills.
What is an awesome first job experience to shape your career?
An awesome first job experience involves a positive supportive work environment that gives you responsibility and independence in your work. It’s important that your first job challenges you, but also gives you confidence knowing that you will learn from mistakes you might make. Mistakes are a part of learning, and a good work environment will be supportive in helping you improve and understanding of your learning.
Here are some tips that can help you make your first job a great one.
Finding a first job in your desired career field
The best scenario to use your first job to shape your career is to work in the desired industry from the get-go! If you know what you want your career to be, see if there are entry-level positions you can take as a first job. There are some industries that are a lot easier to get a start in at an early age and continue through to retirement. The construction industry is one! If you’re looking to have a career in some field of the construction industry, you could apply for an apprenticeship straight out of high school. This immediately gets your foot in the door and start giving you all of the skills you need to be in your desired career!
A great option for those wanting to work in construction is to talk to a recruitment agency. These places can help connect you with employers looking to hire labour workers. They will have a range of jobs that they can match you to in order to build your skills and develop your career.
Use your network to find a good job
When you’re trying to apply for your first job, you should be searching for something that will give you skills for your career. You might know friends that already work in the field you hope to work in. Reach out to them! Ask about their experiences, what they liked and disliked about their first few jobs. Ask about certain positions and companies so that you can figure out what will best suit your career plan. When you’re applying for a position, it’s good to know about the company and the products/services they offer. You can ask informed questions, talk easily about the workplace, and see if it seems like a good first job to help your career. If not, you can always decline a job offer and search for something that you think will be more beneficial for your career.
A job at a small company will boost your job skills for your career
If you really want to learn, it’s best to get a job that allows you to learn a lot. There’s no better way to do this than by taking a job in a small company. You could look into working for a startup company. A smaller company is more personal and more likely to invest in your training. There should be a lot of communication and feedback that will quickly build your skills. Often positions at smaller companies also come with more responsibility which sets you up well for future jobs.
Finding your motivation will drive your career determination
Your first job can define your determination in your career, which is why you should constantly be motivated by your reason for taking a job. Maybe it’s the first stepping-stone to your desired future career. Maybe it will give you the finances to afford a course that you need to complete for the career you want. Whatever the reason, use this to keep you motivated in your first job. It will prove that you are hard-working and determined to get the job done right. Your superiors will be happy with your work and will be able to recommend you for future positions with confidence.
Make a plan for your first job and career
Set goals for the first few months of the job. This can involve what you want to learn and accomplish. Note down specific skills that this job can teach you that will be beneficial for your career. If you write them down and put them on your wall, they will be there to constantly remind you of what you’re working towards. This will keep up your momentum within your first job and help you use it to start building your career.
Why it’s okay to have bad first job experiences
Your first job won’t always be the best experience, but it won’t define the rest of your career. You can’t control everything that happens to you. You will have bad days and difficult moments throughout your career. What’s important is that you learn from them and try to be better tomorrow than you were today.
It’s okay to have bad first job experiences because you’re only starting to build your career. It’s important that you learn from every job and every experience so that you can move forward and grow as an employee. If you’re in your first job, or even your second or third, and it’s not what you thought it would be, that’s okay. This experience could be a stepping stone to something better. Your job won’t define your career; your work ethic and skills will. So, how can you use a bad first job experience to shape your future career?
Use your first job as an opportunity for growth
Every bad experience is an opportunity for growth. You should take away as much as you can from your experience in that workplace. You will have already started to gain skills that you can use in another job. You have grown as an employee and understand what kind of actions aren’t supportive in a workplace. The main thing is that you have experience. If you stay in good spirits and focus on the positives, you can use this to find a better job for your career.
Gain transferable skills from your first job for your career
If you’re unhappy in your current job, it’s important to think about how you can leverage what you already know in a new job. If you’re a salesperson, for example, think about how you can use your sales skills to sell something completely different. You could use this knowledge to move from a car-selling job to real estate if that’s what you want for your future. Or you can use the knowledge you have gained about customers to work in almost any other industry. You will find specific and general skills can be taken away from your first job and applied to your career.
Some people get very anxious about new jobs, which is why communication with employers is so important. But the good news is that we have the best advice for your job anxiety, especially your first graduate job! Ever wondered if it’s a good idea to apply for the same job twice? Check out our article to help you out! Alongside our workplace and labour resource articles, Rednax Recruitment is proud to connect employers with reliable skilled and general labour workers.
