How to Succeed in Your First Job: Expectations Versus Realities

Everyone has their own set of first job expectations. You just finished your bachelor’s degree with flying colours, crafted a powerful resume, and prepared to ace your interviews without any hiccups. You are alerted of an interview date, so, of course, you gear up with a bagful of expectations. This is it—the job you have been eyeing and dreaming of for months. You feel good. You are hopeful.

Except things aren’t going as expected. The job description wasn’t as promising as what you envisioned. During the job interview, more surprises sprout up. You doublethink if you made the right decision to pursue this opportunity.

It’s too soon to tell, but any opportunity is a learning opportunity for any first-time jobseeker at this point. The truth is: First job expectations do not always match reality. Sometimes the realisation cripples in slowly, but sometimes it happens as if a pail of ice-cold water has been dumped over your head.

Thus, a good strategy for any fresh graduate is to temper their first job expectations and face realities one step at a time. This is not to say that you should enter the battlefield with unclear job expectations. Here are some job expectations vs reality scenarios that you should be familiar with and ready for.

Expectation: You will hit the ground running and make a good impression.

In this “first job expectations vs reality” game, there seems to be an emphasis on working hard to leave a good first impression on your hiring managers. Everyone appreciates a hard worker, but you also have to think of your welfare. A “work smart than work hard” tactic is more dependable as you manage the trappings of your first job. Don’t be too agreeable; you also have to learn to say no and set boundaries. It may also come in handy to acquaint yourself with some important aspects of the Malaysia Employment Act. Make sure you know how many hours you can work in a week, what paid leaves you are entitled to, and why your probationary period may seem longer than usual.

Reality: Work smart, plan wisely, respect your limitations, and learn how to protect yourself

Expectation: You will use all your skills learned from college and make the most out of your degree.

Consider yourself lucky if you find yourself in this situation, and consider yourself even luckier if you find a job that matches your undergraduate degree during these challenging times. There are in-demand jobs around this time, including customer service specialist, accounting staff, IT support, and multimedia designer, and you might find that your degree does not fit into any of them. But now is not the time to be choosy. What’s important is to find a source of livelihood that can sustain your needs and to take the opportunity as a learning experience. Zero in on your transferable skills, and make sure to also hone your soft skills along the way.

Reality: Not all your college-learned skills will be relevant, and your college specialisation might not matter at all.

Expectation: You can please your hirers by being proud of your character and work.

Were you born a people pleaser? Do you like winning them over by showcasing your accomplishments? It is also suggested to temper your pride because not all offices will be as welcoming or accommodating of this trait. And this isn’t something to hold them against. Some company cultures are just more rigid and formal, and this is something a first-time jobseeker should highly consider.

Proper communication is key, especially when establishing an initial relationship with a potential employer. You want to put yourself out there as much as possible, but make sure you are not pushing boundaries and becoming too arrogant. Such instances have been revealed online in recent times. A jobseeker was considered rude for his disrespectful replies sent through WhatsApp. Another fresh grad was rejected for his impolite answers to the hiring manager. These are red flags that will instantly dampen your chances of getting the job.

Reality: Rudeness and arrogance are major red flags that will make you lower your chances.

Expectation: You are a unique hire, and you will make a big swift difference in the company.

Among the usual first job expectations, this seems to be the most idealistic. True, there is no one else like you. But your present skill set and the values you hold are not exactly exclusive to you. Manage this particular expectation and humble yourself by practising the art of self-promotion.

Look around you because, surely, other candidates came in with the same mindset. To stand out, you have to practise your storytelling skills to highlight your achievements without sounding too rude and arrogant. Don’t assume that you know it all, that you can offer solutions to every problem, and that you can take on as many responsibilities beyond human capability. It will take time and experience to get to this position, so accept and appreciate even the small differences you bring to the table.

Reality: Being subtle with promoting yourself will take you further in the long run.

Expectation: Your job will bring in large amounts of cash, allowing you to live a luxurious lifestyle.

Sure, you have a ballpark figure of the salary that will offer you financial independence, but reality also suggests that your first compensation package will only be enough to tide you over until the next. This is why it is also important to learn how to negotiate your salary offer. This shows that you have done your research, know your worth, and have a good grasp of what you can offer to the company. In a way, this also proves to your hirer that you are serious about the employment on the table. To help you identify your target take-home pay, make use of this salary calculator tool offered by JobStreet.

Reality: Your first paycheck may not be as rewarding as expected but make sure you negotiate.

Expectation: Your first job will require you to achieve fixed goals within a fixed place at a fixed time.

The pandemic has brought about changes to how work gets done. While the post-pandemic situation remains unclear, some practices would be carried over. Goals may be limited to the short-term, the workplace may be ultimately transferred to your home, and office time may just extend to every waking hour. The point here is that any fresh graduate entering the workforce during and after the pandemic should be armed with flexibility and versatility. Uncertainty will always be a factor in terms of your goals, your workplace, and your time, so it’s best to be prepared to weather anything that comes your way.

Reality: You should be flexible enough to work through uncertainties.

Getting your first job is something to celebrate and be excited about. But to keep yourself from feeling frustrated, it is best to moderate any unclear job expectations. Don’t expect yourself to know everything from the start; the reality is that you will go through the employment process while still figuring things out. Take it easy and be kind to yourself.

Make sure you also update your JobStreet profile to signal to prospective employers that you are ready for your first job. Finally, make sure to visit the Career Tools page and maximise the salary calculator and interview practice tool.