9 Essential Lessons Your First Job Teaches You

By Amanda Olavarria on August 13, 2017

I never imagined at 19 years old I would have my first job. I always figured as soon as I turned 16 years old I would immediately have a job.

However, my early teen years were hectic and not the proper time to hold a job and balance my many extracurriculars. I quickly became panicked that I was 19 years old and never had a job, even a small part-time gig. I felt vastly behind my peers and I felt as if I was failing tremendously. I was desperate for a job, any job that would give me the experience I fiercely needed.

Soon enough, I landed a job as a cashier at a local retail store. I was thankful to have a job but skeptical of how this small job would impact my future since it had nothing to do with my career interests. Little did I know how much that small retail job was going to impact me and the lessons I would take with me from then on. Here are the lessons that I learned from my first real job.

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1. Any experience is a good experience

In the beginning of my search for my very first job, I was keen on finding a job in the field of communications or English, since that was my area of interest. I thought only experiences in those fields would help me on the road to success.

However, as soon as that option became rather bleak I knew I had to be open to more possibilities. I started putting out applications to retail jobs, in order to get some work experience under my belt. Luckily I was able to get the position as a cashier at a retail store. Although it was not the communication position I originally wanted,  it still was beneficial because it gave me work experience that I did not have before.

This opportunity made me realize that each job serves a purpose in your life. Never belittle any of the jobs you have held because each and every one is a building block onto your next experience and you should be thankful for that.

2. Your voice matters

As someone who is typically quiet, my new job required that I break out of my shell since communicating with customers is such an important part of any customer service job.

However, no matter what your first job is, effective communication is always essential and a good skill to hone. Never let anyone intimidate you and be sure to speak your mind when appropriate because your voice matters just as much as anyone else’s.

3. Confidence is key

No matter what you do, it is important that you do it with confidence. Your first job can be intimidating, partly because you may not know anyone and it can also feel like everything you are doing is wrong. However, it is important to remember you are not the only one, everyone has been in your shoes from one point to the next.

Eventually, you will learn the ropes, but the first step is believing in yourself and trusting that you are doing ok. This goes along with the whole “fake it ’til you make it” mantra; if you believe you can do it, then you can. The first step to grasping anything is having confidence in yourself

4. How to stay positive

In any work environment, it can be difficult to be positive especially when working long hours. Yet, in a job setting it is important to stay upbeat and have a positive attitude no matter the conflicts you may be dealt.

As a cashier, I quickly learned how to put any annoyance or aggravation aside in order for me to effectively do my job. Staying positive while you are working can be quite challenging, but with a little practice, it can be a great skill to take with you wherever you go.

5. How to make connections

Your first job will give you the chance to make connections with people and your co-workers. A job gives you the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of people. In my first job, I was lucky enough to be friends with some great people both older and younger, some of whom inspired me with their quirky personalities and some that became great friends.

Each of them impacted me in one way or another and made my first job experience a great one. The best part about holding a job is having the unique opportunity to create bonds by working closely with one another.

6. The importance of a hard work ethic

Although this job may have started off as being a means to another job, I still did not slack off or take it any less seriously. I find that with each job it is vital to give it 100 percent of your effort. I stood busy while I was at my register whether that meant putting away merchandise or cleaning my check out area.

Each job is important and should be taken seriously because you never know what opportunities may come from that one job.

7. Ways to remain calm under pressure

Anyone who has ever endured any customer service job can tell you dealing with a long line of angry customers is never fun. It can be difficult and enough to get anyone overwhelmed, but in a job atmosphere, it is important to keep calm even if you are just about ready to freak out.

Working can be overwhelming especially when dealt difficult tasks, but just keeping calm makes that task all the more manageable.

8. The advantages of taking initiative

Taking initiative can be scary, especially when it is your first job and you do not want to mess up, but it can also be very rewarding. For me, the moment I took initiative was when I was the only employee who knew some Spanish to communicate with a customer. Although I knew some Spanish I was self-conscious about talking to someone in my broken Spanish.

However, I knew no one else could do it, so I felt the need to step in. In my broken and limited Spanish, I was able to explain to the customer a policy she was confused about and she was actually able to understand. I felt an enormous amount of pride for being able to step in and help when necessary and actually succeed in doing so.

Taking initiative can be scary because it may not always work to your advantage, but the only way to grow and learn is by doing so.

9. How to be thankful for every experience 

I truly believe each job, along with every experience, provides one with the opportunity to grow and I know my experiences have certainly taught me that. It is sometimes the small moments in our lives, those that we believe will prove inconsequential, that truly make the biggest difference in our lives and provide us with the best lessons.

I am thankful for my first job opportunity in which I was able to work with good friends, connect with people, and grow as a person. I am thankful for my very first job that gave me a solid foundation on which I continue to build.

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