Get your first job and grow from there

Find the right starting point, get hired, and learn how to build a working life that works for you.

Your first job probably won’t be perfect. That’s not the point.

It might mean folding jeans, taking food orders, or answering phones for minimum wage. You might love it, tolerate it, or count down the minutes until your shift ends. And that’s okay.

Because right now, the goal isn’t to land your dream career. It’s to get experience, earn money, and learn about yourself in the process.

You don’t need to wait for something amazing to come along. You just need a job that gets you moving. One that gives you a taste of working life and shows you what you do or don’t want next.

This guide is designed to help you take that step with less stress and more confidence.

Let’s make this job search work for you.

Step 1: Reflect before you apply

You’re probably here because you want a job. But let’s pause before we dive into résumés and interviews.

Your first job is more than just your first paycheck. It’s your first real step into working life. And it’s normal to carry a swirl of expectations, fears, assumptions, and hopes into that moment, many of them unspoken.

Let’s name a few of those and unpack what’s going on.

Fear: What if I mess this up?

You might be afraid of:

• Saying something dumb in an interview

• Not being “good enough”

• Getting stuck in a job you hate

• Making the wrong choice and disappointing people

Fear thrives in the unknown. And right now, everything about working is unknown. That’s okay. You don’t need to feel fearless. You just need to take your next step with your eyes open. No one expects perfection, especially from someone starting out.

Reflection activity

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What’s the worst-case scenario you’ve imagined?

2. What would you tell a friend if they were afraid of that?

Assumption: I can’t get hired without experience

This one trips a lot of people up. You see job ads asking for 1–2 years’ experience and think, “Cool, guess I’m out.” But here’s what no one tells you:

Most first jobs don’t actually require experience. They want someone reliable, teachable, and willing to work. That’s it.

Experience isn’t just work-related. Babysitting, volunteer work, school clubs, sports teams, even caring for siblings; all of that builds skills. You just have to learn how to talk about it. That’s a skill in itself (and we’ll help with that in the next section).

Example:
“I don’t have retail experience, but I’ve organized school events, handled money as treasurer for yearbook, and regularly help my grandmother with errands. I’m dependable and comfortable helping people.”

Tiny mission

Make a list of everything you’ve done that shows responsibility, communication, or initiative, even if no one paid you for it.

Expectation: I should hold out for something I love

Here’s the honest truth: you don’t have to love your first job. In fact, expecting to love it might set you up for disappointment.

But that doesn’t mean you have to hate it either.

The real purpose? Finding a job that gives you:

• Enough money to move forward

• A taste of what working life is like

• Clues about what you do or don’t want in your future career

First jobs are like trying on shoes. You rarely find the perfect pair on the first try, but each attempt teaches you something about fit, comfort, and style. The sooner you start trying, the sooner you learn what works for you.

Example:
Emma took a job in fast food and realized she loved fast-paced environments, but not being customer-facing. That insight led her to look into warehouse jobs, where she thrived behind the scenes.

Reflection activity

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What are you hoping a first job will do for you (beyond money)?

2. What are you willing to put up with for now, and what feels like a dealbreaker?

Desire: I want to feel proud of what I’m doing

That matters. You want to feel like your time and effort mean something. But here’s the key:

YOU bring the meaning. Even if the job is small, repetitive, or temporary, how you show up matters.

• Showing up on time builds trust.

• Doing a job well, even a simple one, builds self-respect.

• Choosing to learn something while you’re there makes it worthwhile.

Think about it this way:
You’re not just bagging groceries. You’re learning time management, teamwork, customer service, and how to stay calm when things get busy. These are real skills, and they transfer to every job after this.

Before you move on…

Reflect on your starting point:

1. What fears or doubts are you carrying?

2. What are you assuming to be true?

3. What would “success” look like to you, even in a small way?

Waiting until you feel ready will get you nowhere. What will make things happen is choosing your next step on purpose.

You’re feeling stuck or unsure

Maybe you're here because:

• You’re ready to earn your own money, but have no idea where to start

• You’ve sent out a few résumés but heard nothing back (ugh)

• You're overwhelmed by all the options and don’t know what fits

• You’re scared you’ll mess it up or hate whatever job you get

All totally normal. Most people feel some version of this when starting out. The good news? You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need a place to start.

Step 2: Take action (even if it feels awkward)

You’ve done the reflection. You’re clear on what you don’t want, curious about what you might want, and maybe still nervous, but ready enough to take a step.

This is where we start building momentum, one small action at a time.

Try one of these starter steps:

You don’t need to do everything at once. Just pick one to begin.

• Write a one-sentence summary of what you’re looking for in a first job.
  (Example: “Something part-time that pays weekly and doesn’t involve the phone.”)

• Make a list of three places that are hiring near you.
  Check local Facebook groups, store windows, company websites, or ask friends.

• Start your résumé (even if you think you have nothing to put on it).
  List volunteer work, school projects, or anything that shows responsibility.

• Practice answering, “Tell me about yourself.”
  This will come up in 9 out of 10 interviews. You don’t need to sound fancy. Just be honest and focused.

• Send one email or fill out one application.
  This breaks the seal. Even if it doesn’t lead to anything, you’ve now gone from thinking to doing.

Don’t wait to feel confident. Confidence comes after you take action.

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