Are you or someone close to you having trouble landing that first real job out of college? As Axl Rose and I would advise you (at the top of our lungs), "All we need is just a little patience."
And he's right. It'll happen. It will! But a little initiative doesn't hurt, either.
Once you do land that job, though, what then? What are some important things to remember as you build your career?
Over the years, I've taught high school and college students, as well as professionals looking to change careers. I even taught broadcasting to nearly 100 Mandarin-speaking students visiting from China. And no, I do not speak Mandarin!
Friends, colleagues and people I meet in the community ask me to talk with young people just starting their careers. I'm always happy to help. Recently, I've met with an aspiring journalist, a graphic designer and two young actors. They know what they want to do. They're just not sure how to get there.
One thing I tell them all is, "Your first career job is the hardest one to get." Not just any job. The one that gets your foot in the door of the industry you've worked so hard to enter.
Recently, through my involvement on the board of the American Advertising Federation Orange County (AAFOC), I met a young woman struggling to land her first job in advertising. I offered to meet for coffee to see if I could help, and she wasted no time scheduling it. Kudos!
Over lattes, I encouraged her to research companies and reach out to people directly rather than relying solely on job postings. When I learned she'd graduated from UC San Diego, a light bulb went off. I'd recently interviewed a creative director at an Orange County advertising agency who was also a UCSD grad.
"You should email him! Put 'UCSD Grad' in the subject line and see if you can make a connection."
Well, guess what?
She did. He responded. And she soon started working at the agency!
She began learning the ropes and helping with pre-production. Now, she's working on set.
She took the advice, followed through and made it happen. I'm thrilled for her!
On Friday, I interviewed a professor from Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts for the AdTalk OC podcast. I asked what advice she'd give high school students considering a career in advertising.
That reminded me of my own guest appearance on The Power of Integrity podcast a few months ago.
Because we were recording around graduation season, I'd prepared 10 pieces of advice for young people starting their careers, each written on a separate flash card. I wasn't even sure the topic would come up.
As we were wrapping up, the host asked if I had any insights I'd gained along the way that I could share with his audience.
Boom! As a matter of fact, I do.
I held up my stack of cards and got a chuckle out of him.
Since then, other recent graduates have asked me to share that list with them. And while I originally prepared it for young people entering the workforce, much of the advice applies at every stage of your career.
So, here we go. My top 10 tips. Plus a bonus!
1. Your First Career Job Is the Hardest One to Get.
Keep at it. Stay confident. Don't give up hope.
Getting that first job in your chosen field can be incredibly frustrating. But once you get your foot in the door, you start making connections, building experience and proving yourself.
The next opportunity may come from someone who enjoyed working with you and thinks you'd be a great addition to their team.
2. Be a Sponge.
Learn everything you can — and not just about your own job.
When I worked as a television anchor and host, I was the person viewers saw on camera. But there were producers, directors, videographers, editors, assignment editors and many others behind the scenes making the show happen. The more I understood about what they did, the better I became at what I did — and the more we could help each other achieve our common goals.
Pay attention. Ask questions. Watch how other people do their jobs. Soak it all up.
3. Be Curious.
I Google everything. I make mental notes when I'm driving. I read signs in store windows when I'm out walking. When a restaurant closes, I want to know what happened. What's going in its place? When's it opening? What's on the menu?
There's a whole big world out there. Explore it! Talk to people. Visit places you've never been. Learn about things that have absolutely nothing to do with your job.
Being interested makes you interesting.
4. Be True to Who You Are.
At my core, I think I'm still the same person I was when I was little. Hopefully, I'm a little more mature and at least a little wiser!
Your career will expose you to all kinds of people, personalities and pressures. Know your core values. What's important to you? What do you believe in? What are you unwilling to compromise?
Pay attention to the values of the people around you, too. Whether it's a coworker, a boss or a potential employer, recognize when their values don't align with yours. That doesn't necessarily make them wrong, but it may mean they're not the right fit for you.
Above all, don't lose the qualities that make you you.
5. Keep Learning.
No matter how many degrees you have, how much experience you've accumulated or how smart you are, there will always be something you don't know.
That's a good thing.
Take the class. Read the article. Attend the seminar. Learn the new technology. Listen to someone who knows more about a subject than you do.
Never assume you've learned enough.
6. Keep Growing.
There's tremendous power in learning. But if you don't put that knowledge to use, it's almost as if you never learned it at all.
Take on challenges that make you a little uncomfortable. Don't let the fear of failure keep you from trying something new. If your first instinct is to say "no," consider saying "yes." You might surprise yourself!
Make mistakes. Own them. Learn from them so you don't keep making the same ones. Keep moving forward. Strive to become better at your job, in your personal life and as a human being.
You don't have to have everything figured out. Most people don't. But keep an open mind, take a few chances and see where they lead you.
7. Remember That You Matter.
Whether you're the intern, the assistant, the newest person in the room, the youngest or the oldest — no matter how low you sit on the totem pole — you are important.
You have ideas. You have a perspective. You have experiences unique to you. You have something to contribute.
You were hired for a reason. You are not invisible. Your voice counts.
8. Don't Sell Your Soul.
No salary, promotion, raise or impressive title is worth sacrificing your integrity.
Money matters. Of course it does. But it's not everything. If you compromise your values for a paycheck or a promotion, sooner or later, you'll probably realize you made a big mistake.
Know what you stand for before someone asks you — or tells you — to stand for something else.
9. Follow Your Heart.
Your parents, friends and colleagues will have plenty of opinions about what you should do with your life and career. Listen to people you trust. Listen to people you don't trust, too. Sometimes knowing whose advice not to follow can be just as valuable.
But remember: You know yourself better than anyone else does.
Pay attention to what excites you, what inspires you and what makes you feel fulfilled. If a career opportunity gives you a little tingle, don't ignore it.
Your heart knows. Trust it.
10. Go With Your Gut.
Your heart tells you what you want. Your gut tells you when something isn't right.
Pay attention to that.
If something about a job, opportunity, situation or person feels off, there's probably a reason. Don't dismiss that feeling or try to reason your way around it. Do some research. Dig a little deeper. Your instincts may be picking up on something your brain hasn't quite figured out yet.
Now, Go Be Awesome!
You can do it. You've got this.
And I'd love for you to report back!
Want to communicate with more confidence and make a lasting impression? Let's connect and talk about how Halligan Media can help you find your voice and make an impact.
Visit HalliganMedia.com to learn more.
.avif)