CEOs are proud when people choose their companies for their first job out of college, writes Andrew Filev in an article for Forbes. Filev is the founder and CEO of Wrike, which provides modern work teams with collaboration tools that make them more productive.
In his opinion they bring fresh energy, willingness to learn, and new perspectives to old problems that amaze even seasoned veterans of their fields. Filev knows how daunting as well as exciting the start to a professional career can be and has collected some advice on getting a career off to a great start in the first job.
- Don’t “fake it ‘til you make it”
Andrew Filev’s advice: “When you’re interviewing for a position in a company or startup, it’s essential to be honest about your skill set and career goals.”
- Be a part of the culture
Andrew Filev’s advice: Show up to work events or in-office activities as this is an easy way to demonstrate that you’re happy to be a part of the team.
- Demonstrate your ambition through performance
Andrew Filev’s advice: “Make sure you and your management are aligned about your career goals, and then let your performance speak for you. Seek out a mentor and compassionate feedback. Don’t posture yourself as an expert, but rather as someone who is always open to learning something new.”
- Unhappy? Figure out why
Andrew Filev’s advice: “A recent study found that unhappy workers ranked ‘compensation’ as the most important factor in their happiness. Happy workers, however, said ‘doing meaningful work’ was the most important factor. Remember this key statistic as you begin your career.”
- Take an improv class
Andrew Filev’s advice: “Succeeding in an unpredictable world requires opening your mind to the power of saying “yes, and.” This phrase is a ground rule in improv, and it allows you to build upon an imperfect idea rather than shutting it down and replacing it with your own.”
Read Andrew Filev’s full advice on Forbes