You are nervous about getting your first job.
School was familiar. You didn’t like it much but knew what was expected and where to go. Now, you’re on the road to independence. You have been waiting for this moment for years, but it’s something new. You haven’t been down this road before. All around you, you see young people working.
If they figured it out — so can you!
The first step is the application process.
Have you been putting off getting that first job because you fear you won’t know how to fill out the application? You can Google “how to complete a job application” and find many tips.
Most job applications can be completed online. Take your time filling them out. If a place of employment has a paper application, you can take it home to complete it. Ask someone with work experience to look it over.One of your applications made a good impression.
You have an interview time.
Now you’re worried because you have never had an interview before. Google is by your side again. Google “job interview” and get lots of helpful hints.
Many interviews are conducted by phone, Zoom, or FaceTime. Make sure you dress professionally and comb your hair. This applies to in-person and Zoom interviews. If you fail to do that, the person interviewing you will assume you don’t want the job. Companies want someone who looks professional and can represent the company well.Another thing to consider before you go for the interview is work hours.
Employers expect to give you flexible hours and less pay if you work around a full-time school schedule. They do not expect you to stay with the company when you finish school.
Flexible work hours = less pay.
What employers love is someone who is flexible in what hours they work. You will be eager to please. It’s your first job. Make sure to set boundaries. Know what hours conflict with your schedule
Come to the interview with a list of hours you can work.
Do you tend to be nervous in new situations with people you have never met? Practice interviewing for jobs you don’t care much about. This will lower your anxiety level. Interviewing will not be as scary.
After a few interviews, you will know what questions are asked and how people react to you. That means you fill out applications for jobs that are not your dream jobs and go to those interviews.
You will get accustomed to being interviewed, which will pay off when your dream job comes along.
Even if your preferred job goes to someone else, you might get one of the other jobs you interviewed for. You may find that you like working there. Or you may decide that this kind of work is not for you.
It’s all about gaining experience.
Congratulations!
Three days in, you decide that you don’t like this job.
Give a new job three months. Do your best. If you still hate it, look for another job.
Do not quit your job until you have a new one — unless something unethical or illegal occurs. Sometimes, the work is a poor fit, or the workplace culture is not something you wish to fit into. The workplace culture means how coworkers behave or the expectations of the company.
Every job is a learning experience. Study your boss and coworkers. Who is good at their job? What makes them good (in your eyes.)
If you hate your boss, figure out what you hate about him so that you will do things differently when you become a boss.
You are training for your next job.
List your current employment when filling out applications for a new job. One exception: If you are bad at the job and feel like you are about to be fired, skip it. They will not give you a great recommendation.
During the interview, you may be asked why you are looking for another job. You can mention that you need more money, better hours, or a shorter commute.
Never say that you hate your job.
Do not invent a work history to make yourself look better.
Employers check your work history on your application or resume to establish if you will be a good worker. An experienced manager will always check your references.
Put yourself in the manager’s shoes.
Be honest.
Can you still benefit the company without a long work history? Are you hard-working, punctual, eager to learn, and good with people?
Firsts are always hard. But remember the first time you did this or that? And here you are, a pro at all of them. We’re all born into diapers, unable to do anything for ourselves. Maybe this will help; remember that each of the managers interviewing you has had the experience of applying for his first job.
The excitement of growing up is learning new things, overcoming our fears, and making that first step.
Happy job hunting.