Guide one
First Jobs
A first job, or a first job in a new field, is mostly about learning how a place works. You are not expected to know it all, only to turn up, pay attention and ask.
Before you apply
- Read the advert twice. Note the three things it asks for most and show, in your application, one example of each.
- Keep a simple CV. One or two pages, recent things first, plain fonts and no photos unless the country or industry expects them.
- Count school, volunteering and care work. Looking after a relative, running a club or helping at a market all show reliability.
- Check the offer is real. Genuine employers do not ask you to pay for training, equipment or a “starter kit” before you begin.
Interviews without panic
Most interviews ask the same four things in different words: why this job, what you have done, how you handle a problem and what you want to know. Prepare a short true story for each, using what happened, what you did and how it turned out.
“At the market stall a customer was short of change, so I wrote the total down, held the item and we sorted it when he came back. He came back every week after that.”
Have two questions of your own ready, such as “What does a good first month look like here?” and “Who would I learn from?”
Your first week
| Day | Aim | Small win |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive, listen, learn names | Know where the exits, toilets and kettle are |
| 2 | Understand how the day runs | Know who to ask about what |
| 3 | Finish one small task properly | Someone checks it and it is right |
| 4 | Ask the questions you saved up | Your list gets shorter |
| 5 | Look back on the week | One thing to keep and one to try |
Your first payslip
When the first pay arrives, check it against your contract and your own record of hours. Look for your pay rate, hours, tax and any other deductions, and holiday pay if it applies. If something looks wrong, ask the person who handles pay politely and early. Mistakes are common and usually easy to fix.
Know your basic rights
Employment rules differ from country to country, and sometimes from state to state, but most places set rules on minimum pay, working hours, breaks, holiday and safety. Your government’s official employment pages are the best place to check what applies to you.
All Us Work shares general guidance, not legal or employment advice. For a specific problem at work, speak to your employer’s HR contact, a union or a free official advice service in your country.