Congratulations, you graduated! You are now ready to get a job, apply your skills and share your knowledge in a real-life setting. But how do you feel when you think about your transition from school to work? Does it excite you? Does it frighten you? Do you know how to approach this enormous career step? Whatever you feel, we got you. In this article we dive into 4 steps to nail your transition, prepare for your first job and adjust to this exciting, new stage in your life.
Why a successful preparation for your first job matters?
We’ve all been there. You received your final grades, your diploma and you are now ready to embark on a new job for (maybe) the first time in your life. Exciting! You will finally be able to get hands-on experience on the job you are passionate about, earn your own money and take another step in your career. But maybe you, like many others, are also a bit anxious about this change. After all, it’s no more sleeping in and doing all-nighters before an exam. It’s something new and it does require some adjustment. Preparing for your first job is an essential step in your career.
Did you know that a successful school-to-work transition means higher career success and vocational outcomes, such as higher job satisfaction and wellbeing?
So, your first job counts a lot! Here’s how to prepare for your first job.
1. Get all the information you need
It’s no news that a change comes with a lot of uncertainty. However, people who are not afraid to seek guidance are more adaptable and ultimately more employable. How does a typical workday look like? Who will you work closely with? What will be required of you on a daily basis? What projects will you be undertaking? Get down to the nitty-gritty and look for the information you need. Not only will this give you an idea of what to expect from your job, it will also show that you are committed even before your first day at the new job.
2. Assess your skills
Reflecting on what you do well and what needs to be improved in light of your new job can become an asset for your transition. It’s no shame to admit that maybe you need to learn more about making good presentations or learn that new program that you will need to use. But also, don’t forget to list down the things you are really good at, because these are the things that make you stand out. Use the time before your first day at work to reflect on your skills, start improving the ones you need to and get excited to use the ones you’re good at.
3. Create realistic expectations
Your first few days might be stressful but you can prepare for upcoming challenges by creating realistic expectations. Try to reflect on ways to adapt and regulate your emotions. Think about the ways you react to negative events and how you deal with them. By anticipating upcoming hurdles, you become more ready to take them on and demonstrate high adaptability and coping skills.
4. Stay flexible
Regardless of what comes your way, staying flexible will help you adapt easily, see the bigger picture and keep an eye on your career goals. To do that you might need to foster your career adaptability. By becoming adaptable to any changes, you not only become more resilient but you also manage your career better and have higher chances of achieving your career goals.
The transition from school-to-work can be frightening, the first days at the new job can seem daunting but you can prepare for your first job and achieve a smooth transition if you follow these simple steps!
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March 17, 2023This post is based on the following sources and academic articles
Koen, Jessie; Klehe, Ute-Christine; Van Vianen, Annelies E.M. (2012). Training career adaptability to facilitate a successful school-to-work transition. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(3), 395–408. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2012.10.003
Savickas, M.L. (1999), The Transition From School to Work: A Developmental Perspective. The Career Development Quarterly, 47: 326-336. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.1999.tb00741.x
Kerri A. Murphy; David L. Blustein; Amanda J. Bohlig; Melissa G. Platt (2010). The College-to-Career Transition: An Exploration of Emerging Adulthood. , 88(2), 174–181. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2010.tb00006.x
Picture credits: Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
