How Does Your First Job Choice Impact Future Opportunities? Freshers, Share Your Thoughts!

Respected sirs and madam,

I am Dipika Sharma. I am pursuing my Masters of Human Resource Development, and it is about to be completed. I have consistently achieved first-class grades throughout. As I am receiving a number of job offers, my question is: as a fresher, what are the things that I should keep in mind while accepting a job in any organization? I want to understand if our first job creates any impression on the second job.

Thank you,
Dipika Sharma

Hello,

First of all, I would like to say, be choosy about your first job as it definitely creates an impression for your second job.

Where you are working, what your job profile is, and how much you are earning all does matter. So keep all these things in mind before selecting any job. Also, keep in mind that switching jobs early is not a good sign.

Wishing you the best of luck.

If you are receiving good job offers, then you can consider the following:

1. Select a good company/organization (MNC or LTD companies, etc.).
2. Ask them for a brief job profile (most important) - work timings, working days (5 days or 6 days a week). In my view, for work-life balance, 5 days a week is preferable.
3. If the job profile is good, then you can avoid giving importance to money at the initial stage.

If you get a chance to consider the above-given criteria, you will be able to:
- Be stable because of a good company.
- Concentrate and enjoy the job because of work-life balance (I believe it's very important; I am suffering from imbalance now).
- Gain great learning and valuable experience because of a good job profile.

Hello Dipika Sharma,

Further to what Yaasmin mentioned, let me add a few other points too. First of all, decide what your career priorities are—basically meaning where you want to be 3/5/7 years from now. Then, check out which of the offers you have on hand will enable/facilitate you to achieve those goals.

Like Yaasmin said, never let money be the first priority at the beginning of your career—let's say up to 2-3 years of experience. Once you prove your worth, money will follow—you can bet on it.

All the best and wish you a very Happy New Year too.

Regards,
TS

Hi Dipika,

Your first job is like the first step on the ladder of success or failure, so be cautious. The things which you can certainly check are the market reputation of the company, your immediate boss's reputation, because being a girl, you have to be careful on this issue (this check is only possible if you have some reliable source in that company). Check the market trend for fresher's pay and see if the company is offering you a package of market standards. Ask your interviewer what your job responsibilities would be because only responsibilities can ensure how much you are going to learn as the first job is a big learning phase.

These are the points that are coming to my mind at the moment. Wishing you a successful career in the New Year.

All the best.

Dear Dipika,

Congratulations! You are receiving a lot of offers. Since you have many options, choose the best and most appropriate one. Remember, the first job leaves a significant impression on your second one. I totally agree with TS. When starting your career, look for a position in which you want to specialize. Money should come secondary to other important factors. Based on my experience:

1. Focus on the profile.
2. Consider the company profile.
3. Think about the financial aspect.

In your second company, they place more importance on your experience rather than the company itself. Even if your previous company is not well-known, having strong experience reflects positively on your previous employer. Remember, the employee is a representation of the company.

Regards,
Neethu

Thank you, sirs and madam, I have received your valuable suggestions, which will definitely help me in starting my career. One more thing I would like to know is whether it is good to be placed through a placement agency or not. Please reply to me.

Thanking you,

Dipika Sharma

It seems you are quite concerned about your career. Do give importance to the company's internal systems and procedures, and the job profile. It is irrelevant whether you get placement through an agency or directly.

All the best.

Hello,

I am not going to add in the line of what others have said. What I state is something different. If you are going to make HR your lifetime career, then you must note the following:

1) Be passionate about this function. Your commitment should be complete and unwavering at all times.

2) On your first job, while other things (as suggested by everyone else are indeed important), you must try and get into an established organization (and not startups) where the culture, policies, procedures, and systems are in place. You can always improve them by following the due procedure of the organization. This is so because fresh out of college, you are NOT conversant with these matters, and they are VITAL to our function.

3) Try and seek out an opportunity to work under a good accomplished professional (he/she could be a good mentor).

4) Work very hard with no concern for working hours, pay, or comforts. The first job where you create a foundation for the future in this function, and therefore you must be very careful in choosing this job. Keep learning, keep adding to your professional frame of reference.

5) Maintain a LEARNING ATTITUDE at all times, respect others' viewpoints (they are not there by accident, though you must not follow everything blindly!), do a lot of homework. The first job is an extension of your MBA where you meet in real life and test out all that you have learned at the institute!

I can virtually go on, but these are the "best five" as it were. If you desire to ask more questions, don't hesitate!

Best of Luck.

Cheers,

Samvedan

January 2, 2011

Dear Sirs,

I am working in a Pvt Ltd. company in the Marketing Department as a Senior Engineer for the past three years. I am not interested in this field and have asked management to change my field to design. Management initially agreed and allowed me to pursue my M.Tech (part-time; currently in the 4th semester out of 6), but they are now pressuring me to continue in the same field. However, I wish to leave this job and pursue opportunities in the design field.

Please advise me on how to secure a job in the design field (such as any courses I can take).

Thanks and Regards,
Ramesh Ravula

Hello,

Is the company subsidizing the cost for M.Tech? Have you signed a "Bond"?

If the answers to both questions are in the negative, then I suggest that you be patient and complete your M.Tech. It is an important qualification. After you complete it and if you are not honor-bound or legally bound by the company, start looking for alternative employment that will offer you the field you love. Change over when you get such an opportunity. Until then, continue to be loyal to your present employers, do the job diligently, excel in performance, and conduct yourself with full dignity. That's the way!

Regards,

Samvedan

January 2, 2011

Dear Deepika,

It's good you have opted to go for a job. My experience says you should ensure that you opt for the best job you like, taking into account your capabilities. Rather than just choosing a company, look for a place where you can learn new things from your superiors, as this will form a strong foundation for your future growth. If the management and superiors are not up to the mark, consider your options again, regardless of the salary in the initial stage.

Good luck...

Dear Ramesh,

If you want to change jobs, the first thing you should do is continue working at your current company and reach out to your friends, company officers whom you know well, and any placement agency. Alternatively, you can utilize online job search platforms and contact companies directly. If you don't have their phone numbers, you can find them on the company's website and call the specific department. If they request your CV, send it to them and await responses one by one. After some time, you will have the opportunity for interviews.

Best Regards,
Kapil Rathore
HR Manager