First job? Here’s how to make the most of it.
Whether you’ve picked up a summer gig or have a full-time role, starting your first job can be a big transition. Being in the workplace can feel like a steep learning curve: the expectations are different, the schedule is different, and the way you’re evaluated is different too.
Regardless of the role or industry, starting your first job brings a new set of challenges and opportunities. It also brings new ways to grow and learn that will serve you for many years to come.
Here are a few things to consider as you start your first job.
Set yourself up for success
Be prepared
Every workplace is different. Whether you’re in retail, customer service, gig work, or an office, there will be expectations unique to that environment that you’ll need to learn along the way.
One thing that all jobs have in common, though, is that you can set yourself up for success by being prepared.
Understand what’s expected of you. As you’re interviewing, ask the hiring manager about expectations. Is there a dress code? How far in advance will you know your schedule? What does success look like in the role? After you’ve been offered the job, you can ask more specific questions to prepare for your first day. Where do you need to be, and when? Is there an employee handbook?
Show up on time. Do a practice run of your commute a few days before you start. How much time do you need to allow for traffic, parking, or bus transfers? If your job is virtual, test your internet connection, background, and lighting to be sure everything works.
Identify your goals. Think about what you want from this new job, including what kind of impression you want to make. How do you want to come across to your boss and coworkers? What do you want to learn from the job? What does success look like for you?
Thinking through these questions in advance can help reduce any nerves you might feel before your first day, and will help you start off on the best foot possible.
Seek support
One of the most important things you can do is find people who can help you learn the ropes.
Meet with your manager. Ask to meet with your manager during your first week to get to know them and set expectations. One study found that employees who had a one-on-one with their manager during their first week had more long-term success at their jobs. It’s a great way to start off strong.
Find a buddy. Having someone as a buddy, or work friend, will help you start to build relationships in a new environment. Look for someone who’s starting around the same time: they’re likely learning similar things and asking similar questions, and you can compare notes and help each other out.
Find a mentor. A mentor can help you learn the workplace dynamics that the employee handbook doesn’t tell you. Look for someone who’s been there for at least a few months, if not years: ask them what you need to know, what to watch out for, and how you can be successful.
There are some things you can only learn by doing. Finding trusted coworkers and mentors will help you build the foundation and relationships to navigate opportunities and challenges that will inevitably arise.
Know your rights
You have workplace rights. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employees have a right to:
Not be harassed or treated differently because of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nationality, ability, or other protected identities
Receive equal pay for equal work
Make changes to the way things are normally done at work, if needed for medical conditions or religious beliefs
Unfortunately, these workplace rights are not often widely taught. And young people are more susceptible to abuses and violations at work.
Employment laws and regulations vary by state, but you have rights and resources available to you no matter what state you’re in. If you’re facing bullying, discrimination, or harassment at work, or if you’re worried about unhealthy, unsafe, or unequal working conditions, there are resources to help.
By being prepared, seeking support, and knowing your rights, you can set yourself up for a successful first job.
Think ahead
In all likelihood, your first job will not last forever. Instead, it’s probably your first job of many. Because of this, think of it as a learning opportunity. What do you like? What do you dislike? How can you use the information you gather in this job—good and bad—to inform your next step?
What’s important to you?
As you get further into your first job, you’ll start to notice things you didn’t expect. Perhaps there are elements of your job that you love, or parts that really stress you out. Perhaps there are things you thought you’d love, but don’t.
People in their first jobs have shared with us:
“I WANT to see growth and be given growth opportunities […I want to] leave behind more of my impact on this project in the time that I have.”
“I need to know what to do as a recent grad…I'm having issue with finding a job that works for me…[my field is] causing me a lot of stress as a transgender person.”
Notice what’s most important to you: professional growth, safety and belonging, pay, flexible schedule, commute, a supportive manager, job stability, the type of role. You may realize some things are important because you have them in your first job, and you may realize other things are important because you don’t have them.
Keep a running list of what’s most important to you and prioritize these items. This way, when it’s time to look for your next job, you have a better sense of what you’re looking for—and what you want to avoid.
How do you feel?
If you feel like you’re paid fairly, supported by your manager, and excited to go to work every day, great! It sounds like your first job is a good fit.
If you’re feeling stressed, stuck, or uncertain, that’s information that something’s not quite right. Try to notice what’s fulfilling you in your first job and what’s missing.
We’ve heard from folks who have shared:
“I'm a fairly recent college grad and I'm trying to figure out next steps for my career…and I'm a bit stuck.”
“I've been feeling really stressed about my workplace…'"
Noticing these feelings is the first step. Sometimes, it’s easy to point to what’s not working. Other times, it can just be a general feeling of being stuck. Either way, it can prompt you to ask yourself whether to quit your job or try to make it work.
Trust yourself
Whatever you’re feeling, trust yourself. You deserve to feel supported and successful at work. It might take some time to get there, but it’s possible.
Empower Work is here to help you feel empowered to take the next step.
When you reach out to us, a peer counselor can help you talk about what’s happening, understand how it’s impacting you, and explore your options for how to move forward. We’re just a text away: 510-674-1414.
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*Note: Empower Work provides non-legal support for workplace challenges. This information, while authoritative, is not legal advice or guaranteed for legality. Employment laws and regulations vary by state. We recommend consulting with state resources for specific interpretation and decisions. If you believe you were discriminated against in violation of the law, we recommend you seek legal advice.
