Kickstart Your Career: 5 Game-Changing Moves for 18-25-Year-Olds to Shine in Their First Job
Stand Out and Succeed Beyond Your Resume
Believing that job competence alone will secure your success is a rookie mistake.
Excelling in your first year isn't just about being good at your job.
It's about playing the game smart, catching the eye of the right people, and leveraging the little things that’ll take others by surprise.
In this piece, I'm going to share the five game-changers that are setting me apart at a Fortune 500 giant as a first-year analyst:
High Vibes
Bring a Notepad Everywhere
Talk to Other Teams
Work with Other Analysts
Build Outside Projects
Strap in.
I’m about to unpack each of these, proving why they're your arsenal for not just surviving but thriving.
High Vibes: The Game Changer
Imagine this scene: there I was, at my mid-year review, with my bosses highlighting my less-than-ideal responsiveness to messages and that one time I totally missed a meeting.
Yeah, talk about a face-palm moment.
They were straight-up about it being unacceptable.
But then, they threw in a twist: my overall vibe was my saving grace.
Despite these slip-ups, my consistent positive energy, the kind that transforms the mood of a room and lifts everyone's spirits, clinched me a positive review.
It might sound a bit cliché, but stick with me.
The typical office environment isn't exactly the set of a sitcom - it's more often a blend of monotony and mild dread.
Here’s how you can be that high-vibe game-changer:
Greet with Genuine Interest: Start every morning by genuinely asking at least one coworker about their evening or plans for the weekend. It shows you care beyond work matters.
Spread Smiles with Spontaneity: Share an amusing observation or a light-hearted anecdote from your day. Laughter is contagious and can significantly lighten the office atmosphere.
Be the Positivity Pro: When conversations turn into complaint sessions, subtly shift the narrative by mentioning something you're looking forward to or a recent small win.
In the cutthroat arena of office dynamics, where layoffs are a dark cloud on the horizon, being that ray of sunshine doesn't just make you liked; it makes you indispensable.
Skills, after all, can be acquired, but the ability to be the person everyone looks forward to seeing?
That's rare.
Mastering the art of positive influence in company culture isn't merely about being nice; it's a calculated strategy to ensure you're not just surviving but thriving.
Bring a Notepad Everywhere
Learning doesn't stop once you get the job.
I discovered this as a new real estate analyst. I thought I knew everything about capital markets, debt markets, and acquisitions.
I was wrong.
Every company has its own culture, jargon, and ways of analyzing data. I had to relearn everything.
Every detail can be important.
My advice is to always have a pocket notebook. It's not about recording everything verbatim.
Note the essentials.
Embrace the Relearning Curve: Every term, every process was new. I realized that not just the big meetings, but even offhand comments held value.
Pocket Notebook Power: Whether chatting with a colleague or the janitor, I kept a small notebook handy. It wasn’t about documenting every word but capturing those nuggets of wisdom and insight.
Digital Sync: Essential notes from my pocket notebook found a second home in Evernote. This allowed seamless access to my growing bank of knowledge, anywhere, anytime.
In the complex ecosystem of office culture, understanding the unspoken and adapting swiftly can set you apart.
It's not merely about survival; it's about thriving through continuous learning and strategic note-taking.
Talk to Other Teams: Expanding Your Horizons
Excelling in your first year isn't just about mastering your role; it's about laying the groundwork for leadership.
The secret?
Engage with other teams.
There's a symbiosis in understanding the broader ecosystem of your company.
Cross-Team Learning: Dive into discussions with HR to grasp company culture, chat with Accounting to get insights on financial performance, and understand the do's and don'ts that shape the workplace.
Build Broad Knowledge: This isn't just about being versatile; it's strategic career planning. Knowing the ins and outs of various departments gives you leverage and flexibility for future moves.
Network Widely: While it's easy to stick with your immediate circle, those who make an effort to connect across departments often find themselves advancing faster. It's about being seen as a proactive, engaged member of the wider company community.
In an environment where leadership and initiative are valued, stepping out of your comfort zone to engage with other teams not only broadens your understanding but also positions you as a forward-thinking, company-wide asset.
Work with Other Analysts
In my early days, I faced a daunting challenge: a $10 million loss on an investment.
Stranded in the Chicago HQ, utterly confused, I sought my boss's guidance only to be rebuffed and told to "figure it out."
The pressure was immense, with a crucial evaluation looming.
Enter Nolan, a fellow analyst I'd only met briefly via Zoom. Despite being new himself, Nolan offered his help.
Together, we tackled the issue, unraveling complexities in rent rolls that were pivotal to resolving the crisis.
This experience underscored a vital lesson for any first-year analyst: collaboration is key.
Engaging with peers, sharing challenges, and collectively brainstorming solutions accelerates learning and problem-solving.
Here's why teamwork matters:
Shared Learning Accelerates Growth: By working through scenarios with fellow analysts, you not only solve immediate problems but also gain deeper insights into your field.
Understanding Nuances Together: Collaborative problem-solving helps you grasp the subtle intricacies of your work, turning daunting tasks into manageable challenges.
Remember, navigating your first year—and the complex issues you'll encounter—requires more than just individual effort; it demands a collective approach.
Building a network of supportive colleagues like Nolan can transform potential setbacks into opportunities for growth and learning.
Build Outside Projects: Making a Mark
Three months in, settled at the Chicago HQ, a lightbulb moment struck me.
Why not craft universal cheat sheets for new analysts navigating investment properties?
My team and I dove into creating Google Docs and Sheets, a project that promised to streamline learning for all.
I approached the SVP with our initiative, securing his endorsement to share it firm-wide.
This wasn’t just about making my job easier; it was about contributing something tangible, something that transcended my immediate responsibilities.
It’s initiatives like these that not only put you on the map but also prime you for advancement.
Conclusion
So, there you have it—my top five strategies for not just surviving but thriving in your first year, whether in the bustling world of finance or any field.
It’s about visibility, adding value, and keeping those positive vibes flowing.
Stand out, show your worth, and you’ll be on the fast track to promotion.
With Love,
Jack.