Making It Big Monday

Tips for Your First Job

1) Get the lay of the land. What are the written and unwritten rules? How are you fitting in? How are you not? You can learn to understand the dynamics at your company to help fit in.

2) Understand the demands. Once you understand your role and responsibilities in the organization, try to get a handle on the demands that are placed upon your supervisor and your colleagues. How do all these people impact your work life?

3) How will you be evaluated. It is crucial that you and your supervisor understand what measures will be applied in evaluating your performance. It’s a wise idea to have talks on your performance.

4) Create value. A company hires you to make them money, save them money, solve problems, design a new system etc. Determine the best ways you can contribute value for your department and for the company. Always be looking for opportunities to communicate your value. Go beyond your job description.

5) Make up your own “board of directors.” Create a network of mentors and advisors within and outside of the company. Identify a few people whom you can confide in and seek advice.

6) Take advantage of educational and training opportunities. Keeping up with current trends in your field is essential. Take course work that will help you to perform your current work better or that will prepare you for your next level of assignments. Get advice from your supervisor and mentors as well.

7) Network. Your colleagues and contacts in the profession, along with mentors and supervisors, will be valuable folks to have in your professional directory.

8) Be charming and fun to be around — but also driven. This is often a fine balancing act. You want to take your job seriously and perform assignments that will be perceived by others as value-added. Also, take on challenges that others might avoid. People who are good communicators seem to also be good at developing people skills.

9) Start looking for your next promotion, job or new employer just before your first-year anniversary. Although you don’t want to job-hop, chances are your first job out of college will be good for about one to three years at best. It takes the average person about three-to-six months to find a new position, so plan ahead.

10) Balance. Young professionals tend to work very hard on their first jobs, often burning the midnight oil. Be careful not to burn out in your first job. Remember to play and have fun!

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