The Importance of First Job Experience

First job experience provides people with new knowledge, experience, and practical skills needed to become an effective leader, earn more, and contribute to the development of a company. First job experience may radically change an individual stimulate his personal growth, teach the value of human relationships, educate how to ask listen, and work with other more experienced humans. From the very first job experience, people should learn, get experience, new skills, learn the lessons in order to stay flexible and equip themselves for the fruitful career journey.

Working for companies that share a person’s value and stimulate an individual to develop furthermore is crucial for the development of any human. Entering the workforce adapts an individual to the office life, allows to gain social connections, obtain professional experience, and lead to career growth (Forbes, 2016). Company culture directly relates to human’s happiness at work. A company should treat employees in corrects ways, offer learning environment, and opportunities to grow. People also should have a chance to express creativity (Johnson, 2018). In reality, training is an interesting and integral process in the life of every person who wants to make a good career and become the best professional in his industry or in his market. In many companies’ managers still devote two-thirds of their working time to anything except the development of personnel. Successful companies have long introduced a system of training and development, and view mentoring as the most important function of any manager. Without personal development, there will be no career development. Thus, having common goals with companies positively impact the development of those who receive first job experience.

The first job experience teaches that no matter how skilled the individual is, he should do his best to contribute to the company’s goals (Forbes, 2016). A person should assess and analyze the situation and collect more information if necessary. In fact, a person should explore several sources of information and view it from different angles. For example, if a person manages small team’s budget, in addition to the sheet in Excel, he should create graphs with a detailed display of how some expenses influence the team’s budget and how it may be optimized. If to consider IT, the ability to monitor and analyze traffic behavior, the load of web resources and other things can be very useful in work, because a lot of decisions are made on the basis of analysis and monitoring. Struggling to do everything possible to perform the tasks enables people to receive good first job experience and understand the company’s activities.

The first job experience teaches that other people may not respect a person even if he is greatly educated and has objectives achievements. It is not wise behavior, but it is important to continue reaching goals and working hard, and then good things will happen (Forbes, 2016). People skills are very important, not less or more important than hard work. The reason behind is that hardworking people having good skills make them better. This also involves skills to be a good team player, listener, emotional and communication skills. Such skills mean that an open-minded individual with strong people skills determine how far an individual goes (Johnson, 2018). While obtaining first job experience, people face numerous humans who many not share their values, but they need to cooperate together, communicate, and work together.

In the modern world, even if a person does not work in an office with colleagues, teamwork is very important. If an individual is a freelancer, he still has to work with clients and respond to their requirements and needs. Regardless of the nature of work or the field in which an individual works, he needs to show professionalism in working with others to achieve a common goal. If to explore the topic of leadership in a little more detail, it becomes clear that instead of high level of IQ, real leaders have a high level of EQ – emotional intelligence. These people may not be able to perform the work itself, but they are able to delegate, take responsibility for the result and make decisions. Usually, a leader has to be a professional in his field, but without proper soft skills, this often does not lead to great success.

The words “ask, listen, and learn” should become the most important ones in all people’s lives, without regard to their job experience. Performing some functions for the first time requires knowledge and experience. However, asking others about how and why people work enables to learn more about problem-solving, provide solutions, and meet the company’s requirements (Forbes, 2016). Life is an ongoing lesson that never ends. This involves theoretical knowledge and practical experience. This process never stops even if a person has a very successful career and a degree. Successful people always learn, read books, do research to become better in their career (Johnson, 2018). Learning is key to growing and developing of any person.

Being flexible is important thing learned during first job experience. While hiring to perform certain obligations boss may ask to focus on other tasks. Therefore, being able to adapt allows to grow and learn new skills. On the other side, flexibility allows people to leave the comfort zone and change personal course (Forbes, 2016). When people just start a career path, they should have an open mind and feel open to various career opportunities. This means that sometimes career path may be changed but always it is the opportunity to grow and become better (Johnson, 2018). In the modern and rapidly changing world, leadership and the ability to make strategic decisions have become important features. Employees must possess them in order to be able to cope with all the changes around.

To sum up, first job experience usually makes people better versions of themselves, enhances their leadership qualities, personal growth, and teaches the value of human relationships. They learn to be flexible, emotional, constantly learn, and strive to improve themselves.  

Works Cited

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