Make the Match:
Preparing Your Application
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Starting your First Job
Starting your first job can be very stressful. You'll have to form new relationships, learn new things, solve complex problems, work independently without much coaching¡Ketc. There may also be gaps between your expectations and the reality. These challenges can be overwhelming if you do not know how to deal with them.
How should I prepare for my first job?It is natural to get excited and sometimes even nervous about starting a new job. There are things to learn and people to meet. Good preparation for the job will give you greater confidence in yourself. It will enable you to adapt quickly and effectively to the organization, and give you a greater chance of success in your job.
Here is a checklist to help you get ready for your first job :
Read all the materials that have been sent to you.
¡@Have a pocket notebook where you can write down special instructions, directions and names you need to remember.
Confirm when, where and whom to report on the first day. Do you need to bring anything with you?
¡@Make certain you know how to get there. Decide on the best route in order to avoid traffic problems and frustrations.
¡@Work out your wardrobe for the first week to present your best image.
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In the first few weeks of employment, find answers to the following:
Office hours and meal breaks.
¡@Dress code on weekdays and on Saturday.
¡@The organizational structure and departmental functions. How you fit into the organization / department / company.
¡@Your job description, main duties / responsibilities and the performance standards
¡@The appraisal system. When is your first appraisal?
¡@Whom to contact regarding job related enquiries.
¡@Any job related materials, instruction manuals, desk top instructions, relevant sources of information and reference materials.
¡@Personnel procedures e.g. medical and leave applications.
¡@The training schedule, if any.
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How do I make my success in my first sixty days of work?Starting a new job can be both scary and exciting. To make the best use of this new chapter in your life, you need to adapt quickly to your new work environment, establish good relationships with colleagues and review and evaluate your performance. You should set your targets to achieve the above objectives. Here is an action plan that you might wish to follow:
Time Frame Actions Within the first 14 days Get to know 4 colleagues. Use 2 lunch times a week to dine with them. Listen to what they have to say and not talk about yourself only. Ask them about how the company is run. Learn about the inter-personal relationships in the office. The 4 colleagues should ideally be those who work alongside you, the person who assigns work, and a potential mentor.
Within the first 30 days Ask your supervisor for feedback on your performance. Within the first 45 days Draft your own job specification. Consult your supervisor. Within the first 60 days Deliver some achievement. The next 60 days Continue to manage your progress as above. Other useful tips :
Write out a to-do-list every day and take action without being told,
¡@Understand your role and position in the firm, so that you can make informed decisions about how to act,
¡@Take initiative to adapt to the corporate culture,
¡@Produce results,
¡@Finish assignment before deadline,
¡@Handle your work with a sense of urgency, and
¡@Improve your own competitive edge.
Relevant HKU Library Resources
- Ellis, Management Skills for New Managers, (AMACOM, 2004)
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The Downside¡K What should I do when I discover that I do not like my present job after working there for a few weeks?DO NOT RESIGN YET!
First, you should ask yourself what it is that you dislike about the job. If you think the work assigned to you is too trivial, then the problem is your attitude, not the job. Everyone starts at the basics. It enables you to know the job thoroughly which is vital as you make your way up to the management level.
If it is the job nature that you dislike, give yourself more time to understand your work before you draw such a conclusion. Put at least 6 months into your present job, learn more about the job and appreciate the positive things.
If it is the people at work that you dislike, get to know them better. See the positive side and find a way to work with them.
You may have difficulties adapting during this transition from university to the working world. We all do! It will take time but you can overcome them.
There is no 'perfect' job. Be realistic and learn to make compromises. Do a good job, take the initiative to hold new responsibilities and build a marketable track record.
However, should you decide to resign after all, make sure you know the consequences of your resignation.
If you need someone to help you analyse your situation, feel free to consult a Careers Counsellor.
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The Upside¡K After working in my present job for a few weeks, I am being offered a better opportunity somewhere else, is it all right to quit my present job?Consider your legal obligation. Check the termination clause in the employment contract you signed with the employer and also the Employment Ordinance.
Consider the moral issues and social consequences. Your employer has spent considerable time and efforts in the recruitment exercise and in planning for your training. He would probably be unhappy about your resignation. There have been cases of employers making complaining to the University about graduates quitting after working for a short while.
This sort of a situation needs to be handle with great care. Is the new job really a better opportunity? Make a re-assessment thoroughly. Don't end up in the new job only to find that it doesn't suit you.
In any case, if you decide to resign do it in a nice way to avoid ill-feelings. Talk to your boss before giving him a written notice of resignation.
It is very important to maintain high standards of work ethics and integrity no matter in what field you are working. Governmental authorities have set out certain codes of conduct in standardising certain business practices.
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