Entering the workforce feels like stepping into a whole new world. There are different rules, expectations, and responsibilities. For a recent graduate, this change can feel overwhelming. As you start out, it’s common to face imposter syndrome, feeling out of place and overly inexperienced. If you’re struggling to understand how to succeed in your first job, you’re not alone.

You’ll likely have hundreds of questions, and managers may seem too busy to answer them all. It will take some time to find your footing, but there are a few practical ways to build confidence, stay organized, and set yourself up for long-term success. 

Take 15 Minutes to Prepare Before Every Meeting 

If your team is busy and meetings with management are few and far between, prepping for your meetings is a must. As a recent grad, meetings are the best places to receive support and gain guidance on your projects.  

Before every meeting, review all of your work and your projects. If you have any questions or concerns, write them down in a list to bring into the meeting. A concrete list ensures that you remember all of your pressing questions during the meeting and get immediate answers rather than waiting for an email or message back.  

These answers should serve as your guidance for your projects and help you proceed with more confidence.  

Always Put Your Best Foot Forward 

As you start to work, it is almost inevitable that you will eventually be assigned a project outside of your comfort zone.  

When this happens, take a step back and identify the aspects of the project that intimidate you the most. Do some background research on those aspects, look into case studies about similar projects, and craft a plan of how you can tackle this.  

Try these steps:  

• Create a simple “learning sprint”, spend one focused hour researching the toughest part of your project. 

• Ask a teammate if you can shadow them for a short task related to the project. 

• Write down 2–3 specific questions and bring them to your manager or mentor. 

If this is your first time working on a task of this nature, no one is expecting perfection. Empower yourself with some research and put in your best effort. As you work through this project, ask your team for support and help.  

The best way to learn and grow is through hands-on experience. By putting in your best effort to intimidating projects, you’ll grow your skillset and gain confidence in your abilities.  

Stay Organized with a System 

It’s a cliche, but it bears repeating: time management is everything. Organization is at the heart of how to succeed in your first job. As you gain new tasks and responsibilities, it’s essential to be able to organize them so everything can be done in an efficient and timely manner. If you have a strong system when you start work, you won’t have to suffer through the learning curve as you pick up new assignments.  

• Try a digital tool (like Notion or Asana) for larger projects and a paper notebook for quick daily tasks. 

• Use the “two-minute rule”: if something will take under 2 minutes, do it immediately. 

• At the start of each week, create a list of what you need to get done and when it needs to be done by. 

• Assign each task a priority level (high, medium, low) and schedule it for a certain day that week. 

• Schedule a 10-minute “reset” at the end of each day to clean up your to-do list and prepare for the next day. 

Having a consistent system keeps you on top of deadlines and shows your team you can handle responsibility. 

Break Down Tasks Into Manageable Blocks 

Big projects can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, break projects into smaller, bite-sized steps. Each time you complete one, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that keeps you moving forward. 

• Write your project steps as if you were explaining them to someone else, this forces clarity. 

• Set mini-deadlines for each stage so you don’t leave everything to the last minute. 

For example, if you’re asked to create a report, split it into stages: gather data, analyze results, build visuals, and draft the write-up. By focusing on one piece at a time, you’ll reduce stress and keep your work on track. 

Take Lots of Notes 

Another overlooked secret of how to succeed in your first job is note-taking. Early in your career, you’ll be hit with a ton of new information, processes, tools, acronyms, even names. Writing everything down (whether digitally or in a notebook) is the best way to keep it straight. 

• Create a personal “work glossary” where you define acronyms and processes you encounter. 

• Date your notes so you can easily trace back decisions or instructions. 

• After meetings, take 5 minutes to clean up your notes into bullet points you can revisit later. 

Don’t worry about looking like you don’t know something. Taking notes shows initiative and ensures you can revisit information later without asking the same question twice. Over time, your notes will become a personal playbook you can lean on. 

Try to Connect With Everyone On Your Team 

No guide on how to succeed in your first job would be complete without talking about your team. Success in your first job isn’t just about the work, it’s also about the relationships you build. Take the time to introduce yourself to teammates in different roles, ask about their career paths, and find out how your projects connect to theirs. 

These conversations give you perspective on how the company works as a whole and show your coworkers that you’re engaged and approachable. Plus, building these connections early makes it easier to ask for help, find mentors, and feel like part of the team. 

Learning how to succeed in your first job is about developing habits that will serve you throughout your career. By preparing for meetings, putting your best foot forward, staying organized, breaking down tasks, taking great notes, and building connections, you’ll create a strong foundation for success.

Remember, no one expects perfection when you’re just starting out. What matters is effort, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Each project you complete and each relationship you build is a step toward your career goals.