Your first job might not always be your dream but it enables you to get a footing in the job market.
Your first job might not always be your dream job but it allows you to get a footing in the job market. As a fresh graduate, you most likely know little about the career path you want to take. You always don’t get that job that you want and turning down job offers might make you remain umemployed for long. When an opening comes up and you get that first job, take the opportunity and run with it. However, before taking the job you need to find out if it's one that will give you relevant experience and room for career growth. And this you can only know by giving it a shot. Once you identify that, then hit the ground running and learn everything you can. Seek to build business relationships in the workplace. Interact with people from different departments and get to know what they do and what their day to day is like. You never know, they might be your referee or even a direct connection to your next big job. Building relationships at work or even in networking events is essential to your career progression.
It's also important to keep in mind that no knowledge is wasted knowledge. Your interest might be in banking but you are working in a PR company. This does not mean that there is nothing to learn. If anything, you get the chance to wear multiple hats and see what fits. You just never know where you will need to use that experience. After all, most employers are now looking for candidates who are all rounded and can perform more than one task. Better off, you can start your own company someday and you will need these skills. That first job is a very important stepping stone so you need to ensure that you are gaining transferable skills.
Ensure that you take up new tasks and be very proactive. Take advantage of the fact that you are new and no one expects you to be an expert so ask as many questions as you can. Try and understand how things work in that company, look for patterns and cycles that exist there. When given tasks, own your performance and always hold yourself accountable. This will help build trust with colleagues and bosses too. You should also be very open to constructive criticism as it makes you a better employee. It will enable you learn your flaws and work on them as you plan to move to another company or another position within the company. Ensure that you make a good and lasting impression and always appreciate that job.
