If you're lucky enough to have a job, don't be surprised if you hate it.
I know, I'm pretty blunt. I've just been reading several things about college grads--not just today's grads, either, this is an age-old issue that no one seems to be talking about--being shocked to find that they hate their first job. Many say they're below the bottom of the totem pole.
The thing is, a first job can feel a lot like an internship. You can be left with nothing to do, or you may be running errands and fetching coffee. The worst is when you're left alone in a cubicle with no guidance--all dressed up with nowhere to go. Awkward!
But this is the very nature of many first jobs. Sometimes the only positive is that they look decent on your resume, and you've just got to go with that. Hanging in is what gets you through. You have to find the positives--sometimes that's just finding a pal at work or remembering that your paycheck will solve some of your other issues. You may not love the work. You're likely not doing anything like what you want to be doing, and you may not even work with other people that are doing what you want.
Tell me about your first job--how's it going??
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6 comments:
This is indeed a tough issue, and one that is ever present. Let's be honest, you likely won't work there for 30 years, so the whole situation is a matter of what you can take away.
Ask yourself, what do you hope to get out of this [first] job? A resume-builder, industry contacts, experience in a certain sector, portfolio projects, even a bit of money are all viable paths to pursue.
But you have to be true to yourself. If you're getting _nothing_ from the job, then you've gotta leave. Period. If you know you're building a good list of contacts and getting valuable experience with well-known clients (for example), then maybe stick it out and cope with the crappy pay and long hours.
The good news is that your first job won't last too long! These days, it's rare for someone to be in his or her "entry-level" role for more than 18 months. Internal opportunities are great, but employers know that they can't keep young talent in a box for too long, and they half-expect young workers to move on. (In fact, it's important to know how fast your company turns over talent, as this is a deep sign of the culture there.)
My advice, take whatever you can from your first job. Compile some resources such as articles and industry contacts. Ask to take part of projects or case studies (even if it's just a small role), and don't forget to save some money! And when it's time to move on, you can go without regret.
Just don't make the same mistake twice.
This is absolutely a common concern for many! I too hated my first job when I started working full-time after college. I think the key is, work hard and move up quickly. This does not mean crush people along the way... if you have integrity and good work ethic it really does get recognized and you can move on from your first job into something more fulfilling. Get to know people, make contacts, learn as much as possible and remember, it's not permanent!
Angela :)
www.habitformingsuccess.com
Great advice Angela--remembering that it is only temporary is KEY!
Frankly you have got some true stuff! great blog! had to bookmark and shared with FB!
Resume Format
Thank you in advance for any advice. About 7 months ago I was laid off from my job and I have been doing little bits of work here and there to get by, but I’m starting to get financially unstable and I need to do something to improve my situation fast. In my opinion, and based on feedback from recruiters, my resume needs to be written by a professional to really bring out my skills. So I’ve spent the past few weeks reading about resume writer services and trying to pick the best one. I’ve found a few resume service review sites, which are helpful, but most of them say the same thing and have similar prices and guarantees. Can anyone please recommend a resume writing service to me, or maybe somewhere I can search for jobs? Thanks in advance.
It really is all about networking - and what better way than using the internet to do so. Create a site, nothing fancy and get your resume up there. Use twitter, linkedin etc. And make some connections. See www.scottjohnson.tk
Its all about getting out there
-Scott
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