Starting your career can feel overwhelming; whether you’ve just left university, finished training, or are simply figuring out your next step. However, your first job doesn’t have to be perfect and should instead focus on learning and building experience.
In this blog, we offer practical advice to get started in the world of work; what to have ready, making the most of recruitment agencies, and the importance of learning as you go. Your first job can be a great chance to gain an idea of what matters to you in a job; such as hours, pay, and location, and will help you make better choices for future opportunities.
Start with the basics
No matter the industry, first impressions and the fundamentals matter. Make sure to have the following ready to go:
A clear, up-to-date CV
Your CV is your most important tool while job-seeking, and whether it’s your first CV or in need of an update, ensuring a good layout with all relevant information is a priority. Don’t overcomplicate it and make sure to tailor it for each job you apply for, especially if you’re applying for different industries as they will have different vital key skills.
Important documents and certificates
The majority of employers or recruitment agencies will need proof of your eligibility to work, such as passport and National Insurance Number, and some roles may also require specific qualifications, such as full UK license, Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), or a forklift licence.
We recommend taking photos or digital scans of your key documents so you have them ready on your phone or laptop; it will make registration faster.
Your communication
Recruiters and hiring managers often need to contact you quickly so being easily reachable and professional in your communication methods is important to your job search. Respond quickly to emails, messages and calls as soon as you can, and have your notifications on so you don’t miss out on an opportunity.
Also check that your email address is professional and easy to read; for example, firstname.lastname@gmail.com.
Use recruitment agencies to your advantage
Recruitment agencies can be a huge asset when you’re starting out. They’re more than just matchmakers between you and hiring managers, they’re career partners. Recruitment agencies can help secure temporary, long-term or permanent roles, and have access to jobs that aren’t advertised online. Recruitment consultants understand what local employers are looking for, and can give you feedback on job applications and your CV.
To get the most out of them, we recommend that you:
- Be honest about what you’re looking for
- Be transparent with your availability
- Keep them updated about any changes to your availability, skills or situation
- Ask for feedback after interviews or temporary roles
Learn as you go
In any industry, your early career is all about building skills, habits and knowledge, the majority of which you can carry forward into future opportunities. The best thing you can do is stay open to new learning and take every chance to build up your skills and experience.
Take note of important skills you can work on, and watch and learn from experienced colleagues. Below are some examples of things to look out for based on your chosen industry:
- Office based roles: practice your email communication skills, and work on your soft skills, such as problem solving, teamwork and research, as well as your computer skills, which are always desirable. Learn more in our blog ‘What are soft skills’.
- Hospitality roles: learn basic skills such as order taking, table settings if you’re working in a restaurant, and how to multi-task during busy periods.
- Construction and Technical roles: health and safety is a great skill to learn early on and maintain throughout your career as it’s valued highly in the construction and technical industry.
- Driving roles: maintaining your basic driving skills is a must, and we also recommend learning how to easily route plan and develop your problem solving skills so you can work efficiently.
- Warehouse and Industrial roles: learn how to operate both standard and specialist equipment, and complete any courses or certificates that you can, such as forklift operation as this will make you an attractive candidate for future employers.
There’s no single path to success, and that’s especially true in today’s job market. Whether you’re stepping into your first shift, starting in an office, or figuring out what you enjoy most, the key is to keep moving forward.
At Berry Recruitment, we work with people at every stage of their career journey; from first-time job seekers to seasoned professionals looking for something new. We’re here to help, whenever you’re ready, so
get in touch today.
