Important first job advice

What ominous and delightful words: “My first job.” Some fear it and some can’t wait until they have the opportunity to experience it. What does a first job provide? Money. In a real sense, that’s why most people (at least on the outside) look forward to it. It pays and we can all use some cash, right? Even deeper is a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency that underlies the monetary benefits.

Nobody wants to live with their parents forever. Eventually you have to get out and support yourself. Along with this independence comes a number of things. Likewise, independence itself comes from a number of things, starting with your first job. In many ways your first job teaches you responsibility. There are the issues of accountability, financial responsibility, personal growth and maturity, and, of course, perseverance.

You have to show up to your job or you’ll be fired. That’s that. There is no choice in the matter. Attendance is mandated. If you are sick you generally must find someone to fill in—that is your job, not your supervisor’s. Attendance is required as is quality. If you don’t do a good job or show that you really would rather be somewhere else, it’s unlikely (unless there is an uncharacteristically tight job market) that you will find yourself continuing long in your present position.

Fiscal responsibility is also learned. Most teens have few qualms about spending their parents’ money, but are significantly more tight in regards to money that they spend many hours of “useless” drudgery (or great joy) earning. Those new shoes might wait just a little bit. Budgeting becomes crucial, especially if the teen is involved in saving for a car or paying his/her car insurance. The teen suddenly has to budget entertainment and things they want now with greater entertainment or better things later. In addition, to keep track of and store money, checking/savings accounts (with balance books) are needed. More than anything balancing their own checkbook will teach your children financial responsibility.

Of course, personal growth is a result of all these things. Being able to spend ones own money the way he/she chooses is a great show of freedom as well as a great responsibility-inducing thing. Your teen is now free to do more of what he/she wants independently of your finances. The very fact that they are taking on the responsibility of a job speaks volumes for their maturity (and in many cases for their tolerances of menial chores). Your teens, while possibly not liking their job, will certainly feel more “adult” because of it.

Perseverance is also learned very readily. Unless you are entering the job market fresh out of college (or high school) and ready to begin your career, it’s likely that you won’t get a job that matches your skills particularly well. In fact, you may end up flipping burgers, mopping floors, or stuffing brochures (easy jobs aren’t always fun, either). When you do what you don’t want to do because you know you have to do it, you grow personally and you exercise perseverance. All of these factors combine to create the unique experience of having a first job.

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How to Behave at Your First Job

by Tara Weiss

You've landed your first job out of college. That wasn't easy, in this tough time. Now you've got to make sure you keep it and succeed at it.

How? You can start even before you arrive at work. Set up a Web news-alert account that emails you news stories relevant to your new employer, says Danielle Leyland, a recruiter in the information technology department at Sherwin-Williams, the paint company. That will help prepare you to engage your coworkers when you get there, especially if there's big news--and it's also a way to find out about potential opportunities. Even if it's bad news--a round of layoffs or company downsizing, for example--it will affect the entire company and will be important to know about.

To take it a step further, stay up-to-date on competitors and the industry as a whole, too. That will give you perspective on where your employer is heading and why certain decisions get made. Your colleagues will take you more seriously when they see how dedicated you are to the profession.

Good first impressions

When your first day on the job arrives, show up at least 10 minutes early, and don't leave as soon as the clock strikes 5 p.m. That could come off as doing the bare minimum, which is not the first impression any employer wants to receive.

Also, dress professionally, even if you're sure most people dress casually. Men should wear slacks and a button-down shirt; women, either slacks or a skirt with a top that covers their shoulders. "You can assess what everyone is wearing during the first few days and then tone it down," advises Kathryn Santers, a staffing manager for the higher-education division of the educational publishing firm Pearson.

The right questions

Once you settle in and are given projects to work on, be sure you've got a clear understanding of what's expected. If you're not completely sure about something, ask. "It's better to ask a question and be cautious than to do it wrong," says Santers. And when you ask, have pen and paper with you to write down the details so you don't have to ask more than once. If you don't agree with an assignment you're given, don't say so until after you've completed it. Even then, do so tactfully, suggesting alternatives or slight tweaks without antagonizing your manager.

Along the same lines, never behave as if some tasks are beneath you. At some point, everyone needs to file or make photocopies. Your goal is to make your boss's job easier. If doing clerical work accomplishes that, do it without complaining. "It may seem menial, but it's a part of a big picture," says Santers. "Not every day on your new job will be glamorous, but there's always a point to what you're doing."

Effective communication

Don't try to impress your manager by saying you'll finish a job quickly if it means you'll have to get too hasty. Be realistic in what you can accomplish, and keep your manager up-to-date on your progress. During your first week, discuss with your boss how he or she prefers to communicate. Not every question requires popping into her office, so ask if she prefers email or instant messages. As you work on your first assignment, check in to update her on your progress. Ask if you're approaching it right. When you've completed it, ask for feedback. Did you get it done successfully? Was there anything you could have done to improve your work?

Don't be shy about this. Your manager has a vested interest in your success, since it's much easier for her to help you as you go along than to retrain you.

This takes balance, though. Before you run to the boss with a problem, always try to find a solution on your own. You want to be solutions-oriented, says Diane Borhani, national director of campus recruiting at Deloitte & Touche, and bosses always prefer it if people who bring them questions also bring suggested answers. So try to come up with a fix, and discuss it with the boss.

When you're in a meeting, share your thoughts and opinions, albeit in a respectful way. That's why they hired you. When there's an opportunity to take on a new challenge or additional people are needed for a project, volunteer.

"The people who are happy to raise their hand and go above and beyond what they're doing are the people I want on my team," says John Campagnino, senior director for global recruitment at the consulting firm Accenture. "That's a differentiator for managers."

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