Things to Expect in Your First Job
You’ve finally graduated from college, hurdled the interviews, and are now about to start your first real job. Congratulations! It’s certainly an exciting time as a new world awaits—the prospect of earning more money, of moving up the career ladder, and finally being able to do something you have always wanted to do.
But before you harbor dreams of immediately moving up the corner office right after graduation, a healthy reality check is in order. Understanding what comes with your first job is essential if you want not only to survive but actually thrive in your workplace. The realities that come with being the newbie in the office may run in contrast with the dream job you imagined when you were in college. However, the sooner you understand these, the easier it will be to take them in stride. It will also be easier for you to absorb the lessons you need to learn if you have accepted your rank as a neophyte wholeheartedly.
So what can you expect on your first job?
An entry-level salary. This is one of the realities that you will have to accept when you are new to the workforce. Even if you graduated at the top of your class and have solid part-time work experience related to the work that gives you a stellar resume, your monetary compensations should not exceed that of what the company usually gives to entry-level workers. Certainly, you can always negotiate with the employer before accepting the job but don’t set your sights too high. Remember, you still don’t’ have the requisite experience in this company and that is going to matter when it comes to determining your compensation.
A new culture to learn. No matter how much of an expert you are in the field, you will always have to adapt and adjust to the culture of a new workplace. Every company and the people who work therein have certain ways of doing things that they have followed through the years. No newbie can change that overnight. Thus, it is up to you to get a feel for the culture and adjust accordingly. This is going to require keen powers of observation on your part and the ability to be flexible when the situation calls for it.
The constant pressure to prove your worth. This is something that perhaps almost all fresh graduates feel when in their first job. You want to prove your worth to your colleagues and most especially to your boss. This can mean having days where you work long hours and forego lunch breaks. You are constantly challenged to prepare thoroughly for meetings which can be a source of real pressure. However, the rewards are going to be worth all the effort.
A lot of questions. Since you are new to your work environment, you can’t expect to learn everything you need to know in a day. It’s natural to have a lot of questions—and employers encourage you to ask them. You become more confident in your job if you know how to do it and the only way to do so is to ask if something is not clear. Don’t mistake asking questions for having no initiative. You don’t have to ask for every single detail—employers welcome workers who have initiative. If you already know how something is supposed to be done then do it even if you have to fill in the blanks along the way.
New people to meet. No man is an island—and you can’t afford to be one when you’re the new guy on the team. The veterans in the company are not going to know you exist unless you introduce yourself to them. Your co workers are valuable sources in information about your new workplace so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation. Also, don’t confine yourself to the people in your department. Get to know everybody so that you widen your circle of associates.
Unwanted tasks sent your way. This is one of the things that not all trainees look forward to. Stuff that seasoned workers don’t want to do can get sent your way which can sometimes include going out for miscellaneous errands like buying pizzas for an emergency lunch meeting. Your boss might give you extra work on top of the responsibilities that you already have. You’ll just have to smile your way through the hard work and long hours. As you become more experienced—and that comes only with time—you will not anymore be the neophyte in the office and can delegate tasks to the next newcomer.
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