Moving up in the Corporate Ladder-Why is first Job Important

Why Is Your first Job Very Important to move up in the Corporate World

Should I continue in this job or go independent, Can I move up in this organization?
This is an important question that we ask ourselves most of the time. The reason is that we are often vexed with the job we are doing. Some times we think that the company is not being fair to us and sometimes we feel that the boss is too difficult to cope with. He is expecting you to put in extra hours and is often critical with what we have done. It may be time that we go and tell him that enough is enough I am going out. Then we begin to think if I should go for another job or I should simply go independent, that is be on my own and do what I like. If I am smart I would have lined up another join before I decide to quit.
Let us hope this did not happen in your very first job. That would be difficult to deal with. The first job is very important for any one. By this I don’t mean the summer jobs and the stop gap jobs you do, but the first job that is a stepping stone for your career.
Your future rests on this job a lot. What you have done here can put you in the right path or totally push you into the wrong path. If you want to be financial analyst and you are asked to check some bills it does not really help you. If you want to be program writer then it should set you in that path. This job puts an identity on you that you are “program developer” or something else. So you must make sure that it is in line with what you are planning to be. If you simply think that let me take this job and I will make the move in the next job you may find it difficult or your first year experience goes waste.
A content rich fist job helps a lot, job description is not enough; you need more details. You can ask the supervisor about it
Your Habits Make an Impression
You need to be quite sure that you maintain good habits-these include
Come to work on time. Punctuality is very important. If for any reason, as an exception you can’t make one day, then inform you supervisor and work late to compensate.
Write accurate reports on time and submit them on time. Don’t give the impression that you are lazy. Also make sure that the report is structured well and is free from all types of errors.
Don’t spend time gossiping and politicking. Both can be very destructive. It is best that you stay away from both. Maintain punctuality in returning from lunch and coffee breaks, instead of getting caught in arguments and political discussions.
Don’t pack up exactly at 5pm or whenever your work ends. Instead take a few minutes more to bring the work to reasonable stage. Review the situation at the end of the day. Think what you will do tomorrow.
Do not make mistakes in work and waste lots of time. If some instruction is no clear it is better you ask again and get it clarified. Time is important and it is better not to waste because of our ego or shyness to ask.
If you have new ideas contribute to thinking by sharing them. You can even put them on paper or email and send them. If the ideas are good and patentable ideas it is best that you write them down.
If you are a professional join some professional bodies and publish some papers
You may even consider making it joint with your supervisor.

You Need to Manage Your Attitude
Keep a positive attitude. Even if you are unhappy with some things, the way it being done, it is best that you don’t get into criticism, at best, it is best to tell how it is being done, and how some changes can make a difference.
Support you supervisor, his supervisor and the company in public. Better to stay away from any personal conflicts between levels.
Bear in mind when a reference is asked it is not necessary that the new employer should talk to only those persons.
Be cooperative and friendly with every one. Even if you don’t have friends, it is best not to have enemies.
Lay Foundations for Image
In this job itself you need to start thinking about your image, “, a brilliant person and go getter”. These things don’t come easily. You need to take up some challenges and prove that you can carry them out. You can complete the job successfully on time.
Get others involved, where ever you can and earn the reputation for community building. This is very important and adds a lot to your bio data. But in the initial stages it is better you try out small communities as big communities can be difficult to manage and may turn out troublesome.
Remember that you don’t become over ambitious and too aggressive. Then you will be called something else.
This is only the first step. You have along way to go. Your credibility and reputation may not have grown enough at this stage to let you become independent. How ever they could be enough to damage your next chance within the company or outside.
If you want to ask for growth or increase in salary, explain your need and don’t blame any one or make accusations.
If you decide to move make it a smooth move and don’t burn your bridges

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Tags: attitude to job, corporate ladder, first job, get good reference, going independent, importance of the firist job, job performance, job references, moving up, my first job

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