5 Things To Avoid When You Get Your First Job

Your first job will be an emotional, nerve-wracking rollercoaster. The memory of it will be ingrained in your DNA and passed on to generations for years to come. What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to act? First impressions last a lifetime, luckily we know how to make it a piece of cake. Thank us later.

Don’t be late… or the first person to leave

Test drive the route. On your way home, buy a clock and set twenty different alarms. Do everything in your power not to be late. Similarly, no party/friend/TV show is more important than making a good first impression. Don’t be packing up as soon as your shift is over. 

At my first job, there was this girl who decided to chuck a Harold Holt on her first day and literally disappear off the face of the Earth on her lunch. She left for her 45 min break and never returned. Hope you’re ok out there Emma (i think that’s your name)…wherever you are. 

What I’m saying is, being late or leaving early sends bad vibes to your co-workers and bosses and shows that you lack motivation, dedication as well as basic respect. Put in the hard yards early on and reap the flourishing crop in the months (hopefully years) to come.

Don’t tell any red hot jokes (straight away)

You’ll make some of the greatest mates in your life at your first job, but also some pretty powerful connections that can shape your future career.

So while it is encouraged to be yourself, engage in some banter and let your personality shine, don’t go cracking any red hot jokes on the first day. Read the room and save those ripper jokes for down the road when you know everyone a little better. Keep it profesh.

Don’t get involved in gossip

Now look, I love to spill the tea more than anyone, but work drama is best avoided at all costs. *Cough* and don’t hook up with anyone you work with. Unless they are the love of your life.

No matter where you work, there will be cliques of people who like to create and discuss drama and who got with who.  For real. Your bosses and colleagues will respect you for staying out of it. G vibes only.

Don’t overdress, or undress

Take the time to confirm the dress code with your boss before you rock up in a three-piece suit to a fast-food joint. Or jeans and a t-shirt to a corporate affair. That’ll scar you for life my friend.

Obviously, this goes without saying if you wear a uniform to work (thank heavens for uniforms) but you can probably wear the same thing every day and no one will even notice. But seriously, unless your job is contingent on keeping up with the latest fashion ✨lewks✨, there is nothing wrong with wearing a variation of the same thing every dang day of the week. 

Don’t think you know everything – cause you don’t

No one likes a know-it-all or an eager beaver. It’s your first job, no one actually expects you to know everything. Cause you don’t! However, it's okay to ask questions. Be a sponge and soak up as much information as possible.

The skills you learn in this job will pave the way for the skills you take to the next job and the next. Just remember to not be too hard on yourself. Nobody knows what the heck they are doing anyway, really!