5 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Getting My First Office Job

When I got my first "real job" I honestly did not know what to expect. Sure, I'd been there before, talked to a few employees, and had received a quick brief as to what I'd be doing. Hell, I'd even stalked the company and the HR manager on social media before my first day, but regardless on that first day walking into the shiny, white building I felt like a lost puppy in China Town. Thankfully, I figured everything out pretty quickly and here I am a little over a year later thriving within that same company so I'd say everything turned out pretty well.

Before I dive into these tips for the up and coming, I'd like to insert a little disclaimer in here in order to cover all my bases. Everything contained within this article is based either off my personal experience or a close friend/ relative. If you disagree with any tips mentioned I apologize but please refrain from trolling me in the comments section. Everyone's experience is different and just because these things worked for me doesn't necessarily mean they'll work for you and with that said let's get started.

1. It's okay to make mistakes.

I made so many mistakes in the first couple of weeks of my job and I was completely convinced I was going to get fired for it. Google Chat was my best friend as well as the girl who was training me because every twenty minutes or so I had another question to ask her or needed some kind of assistance. I was still productive and got all my work done however, every time I messed something up I had a little melt down in my head. It wasn't until after my first 90 days that I finally stopped this emotional abuse of myself when one of my fellow coworkers told me it was okay and not to worry.

This might not be the case for everyone, especially if you work within a department. When I was first hired on I was consider "Social Media Coordinator" but, I also played the role of receptionist so I sat upfront by myself. So of course all the voices in my head had to amplify every mistake I made. Instead of responding this way, take a deep breath, address the mistake, fix it, and move on. Let's be real, the mini freak out is honestly a waste of time.

2. Avoid office gossip.

Just don't do it. Gossip is every where and it always will be but that doesn't mean you should engage in this behavior. If you are hearing gossip about somebody in the office is a tell tale sign that you should watch what you say. If you're hearing something about Susan in Accounting then more than likely Susan will be hearing about anything you say in response to the gossip or out of context. Not only does gossip cause tension amongst coworker but it also reflects badly on anyone and everyone that participates. So save yourself some trouble and just ignore it.

3. Bring flats when you wear heels to work.

Yes, I know that heels are super cute and give off a nice, put together appearance. However, after walking to a couple of meetings, going to lunch, and walking around the office your feet will be screaming for relief even if your heels are pretty comfy. Trust me, you'll be so happy when you see those sandals or flats in your bag. You might even jump for joy.

4. Always get it in writing

People are forgetful no matter what they say. Lots of things are going on through out the work week and things that have been said are often forgotten, even some things that are rather important. Having an email to refer back to is always super helpful and ensures that you can't be blamed for forgetting something that was mentioned in a meeting once two weeks ago.

Especially approvals, always get those in writing. No. Matter. What. I can not count how many times I've seen or heard of a client saying they never approved some project when they did. Thus the beauty in having an email and double checking.

5. Feel free to leave your desk.

The 5-Hour Energy commercials are not a lie. The two thirty feeling is a real beast that you'll have to conquer everyday. I know when I first started I felt like I needed to stay at my desk at all times (besides lunch). In order to avoid this feeling, I would usually tak a late lunch and be fine for the rest of the day. However, on the days where I had an early lunch, best believe I was going to have to be taking laps around the office at three. Trust me you won't be the only one and no one will judge you for it.

All in all your first office job is a learning experience and should not be feared. Just come prepared, be confident, and hit the ground running. Good luck!