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What advice would you give me when I have my first job?
#advice I am a young man who belongs to the job corps school, I am training to be an electrist
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Michael’s Answer
This is a great question, and I echo a lot of what Barbara said above.
In addition, I found that when I started my career, looking back now (that was over 20 years ago - time flies!), some things I would recommend are:
* Focus on improving a little bit every day and don't get too bummed if you don't know everything right away - nobody does!
* Don't let people discourage you by poking at your lack of knowledge (when I started out, some senior people would do this to me from time to time). We all need to start somewhere and those people who are doing the poking were in the same position you are in at some point in their careers too - don't let them forget that!
* As you get better at your skills, look for others you can mentor and help bring along. I find that teaching others not only benefits those you teach, but greatly benefits you in the process!
* Seize challenges as opportunities to learn rather than a potential for failure. Some of the greatest success stories in our world are by folks who decided to take a bit of a risk and didn't care to fail. In fact, there really isn't any such thing as failure; only learning opportunities.
* Maintain integrity as you progress and make it a practice to not step on others to get ahead. Rather base your success off of your merit and in your quality of work - it will speak by itself.
* Make sure to maintain those personal relationships you build with your colleagues over time and always leave in good standing. You never know where your next job will come from, and often times it will come through someone you've worked with before.
In addition, I found that when I started my career, looking back now (that was over 20 years ago - time flies!), some things I would recommend are:
* Focus on improving a little bit every day and don't get too bummed if you don't know everything right away - nobody does!
* Don't let people discourage you by poking at your lack of knowledge (when I started out, some senior people would do this to me from time to time). We all need to start somewhere and those people who are doing the poking were in the same position you are in at some point in their careers too - don't let them forget that!
* As you get better at your skills, look for others you can mentor and help bring along. I find that teaching others not only benefits those you teach, but greatly benefits you in the process!
* Seize challenges as opportunities to learn rather than a potential for failure. Some of the greatest success stories in our world are by folks who decided to take a bit of a risk and didn't care to fail. In fact, there really isn't any such thing as failure; only learning opportunities.
* Maintain integrity as you progress and make it a practice to not step on others to get ahead. Rather base your success off of your merit and in your quality of work - it will speak by itself.
* Make sure to maintain those personal relationships you build with your colleagues over time and always leave in good standing. You never know where your next job will come from, and often times it will come through someone you've worked with before.
Updated
Barbara’s Answer
Hi there! This is a great question! There are certain attributes that can make you a success even when you have not quite overcome the learning curve. Here are some things that worked for me:
Follow instructions,
be a team player,
always take notes (have a notepad and pen with you at all times),
keep a running list of action items or open points (so you never forget something you need to do),
do not show frustration,
be positive and energetic,
be prompt to all meetings and getting to work,
do not leave early,
arrive early and eager,
always ask people if you can help them with anything,
if you are asked a question and you do not know the answer, then say "I do not know, but I will follow up and find out for you".
I hope this helps and good luck!!
Follow instructions,
be a team player,
always take notes (have a notepad and pen with you at all times),
keep a running list of action items or open points (so you never forget something you need to do),
do not show frustration,
be positive and energetic,
be prompt to all meetings and getting to work,
do not leave early,
arrive early and eager,
always ask people if you can help them with anything,
if you are asked a question and you do not know the answer, then say "I do not know, but I will follow up and find out for you".
I hope this helps and good luck!!
Updated
Raymond’s Answer
My grandfather once told me this and it still floats in my mind. You don't want to keep messing up at first but be happy when you do mess up. Problems and mistakes are opportunities to figure out what not to do and why. Make sure you're able to learn from everything that happens around you. Listen to the people that have the most experience because they've likely been through everything that you are doing now. Usually, young people's biggest problems are thinking they can change the way to do things immediately to make it better. Please don't do that, it'll just make it tougher on you in the long run.