Your first job is a very fertile ground for lessons that you can take with you as you proceed in your career. Even if you are only offered a modest monetary compensation, you can still make the most out of your first job by filling your cup to the brim with valuable lessons about the work, the people you work with, and the workplace you move around in. Always remember that these insights are more precious in the long run than the salary you are given. If you are just observant enough, the lessons you glean are going to serve you well in case you want to start your own company or are already gunning for a leadership position further on in your career.
So what are the lessons in your first job that you can carry with you as you move through your career?
1. The veterans in your workplace can teach you a lot. Don’t stay glued to your desk all the time. Find time to chat with those around during your breaks and you’ll find that they have a lot of things to teach you not only about the workplace culture but about their field as well. If you are genuinely interested in them, they will be more willing to share their knowledge and “secrets of the trade” with you. In addition to learning a lot of new things, you’ll find that it becomes easier to navigate the office and ask for help if you are on good terms with everyone.
2. Punctuality matters. Your time is precious. Your coworker’s time is precious. Your office’s time is precious. Since you want people to respect your time, you should also do the same. If you know that you are going to encounter traffic on the way to work then leave home earlier. Your superiors are going to notice that you are consistently on time for work and will factor this in during performance evaluations. Once you have ingrained the habit of punctuality, you’ll realize that it gets reflected in other areas of your life as well, making it easier to stay on top of things even during especially hectic days.
3. Preparation is essential. As the newbie in the house, you want to ensure that you don’t get laughed at during meetings so you made sure that you were always prepared. Looking at the agenda first so you know what the meeting is all about will help you generate ideas in case your opinion is solicited during the gathering. Later on in your career, you will realize that having your say in meetings will help you get noticed and advance in your chosen profession. You certainly don’t want to just pretend you know during meetings as this is a surefire way to get laughed at, so always be prepared in everything you do. That goes to everything else in your life as well.
4. Keeping your desk clean makes you more efficient. Different people have different work habits. Some like a cluttered workspace while others don’t. Research, however, has shown that a disorganized work area is bound to contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Find a system of organization that works for you so that you tackle the most urgent matters first. As you advance to positions that require more responsibility, your organization skills are going to have to step up as well. Mastering this on your first job helps make this a habit that will serve you well in your future endeavors.
5. Having a life outside of work is necessary for your health and wellbeing. More and more companies are recognizing the value of helping workers balance the demands of both work and family. While you want to prove your worth at work so you can please your boss, there is no reason for you to linger in the office unless it’s absolutely necessary. Besides, you are bound to be more efficient in your job if you pursue your other interests outside of work. So take the time to exercise, to be with the special people in your life, to be active in your hobbies. Balance is the key to a successful life and career.
6. You are responsible for your money. Now that you are officially working for your keep, you get to receive your pay and are ultimately responsible for how it is spent. The good thing is that you have money to spare for life’s little pleasures. However, you also have to understand that you are going to be responsible for paying your own bills and saving for the future. Knowing how to allocate your money is something you learn from your first job which will you can carry into the future—especially if you want to start your own business.
7. There is no such thing as a stable job. Hopefully, you won’t get to experience getting fired on your first job but it’s important to realize that there is no such thing as job stability these days. The best you can do is learn all you can from your job, build your network, and save some money so that in the event that the rug gets pulled out from under you, you are not entirely caught by surprise. Gone are the days when you worked in one company all your life. Nowadays, you have to be prepared with whatever life throws at you so you can roll with the punches.
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