Living with first job syndrome

By Erika Welz Prafder for Gannett News Service

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Jones, you've had a Management Consultant!"

It would be a different world if we were born with job titles. Because we're not, we often have to pay our dues before finding a job that satisfies and pays well.

For recent college graduates, the first job syndrome strikes many like a bad flu. They consider their starting job a defining career move, rather than just one part of the professional-development process.

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Realize that if you make a poor choice, you'll be smarter, stronger and closer to success the next time around. Use the experience to pick up skills, take advantage of training opportunities and establish relationships with people who will be able to help you develop your career.

How to cope

Before you decide a job is not for you, see if you can fix the situation and get more out of your job.

• Make yourself visible. Unlike school where report cards measured your progress, you often have to pat your own back at work for a job well done. If you feel you're not getting enough feedback, schedule a sit-down with your supervisor. Ask how you can improve your performance or expand your workload. Volunteer for projects and additional responsibilities. If you can add value to a task force, join it.

• Don't be intimidated by co-workers. It takes time to feel accepted by your band of colleagues. Instead of being a silent observer at department meetings, speak up if you have a question or an opinion. The more engaged you are, the more you'll be able to contribute to the team and earn their respect.

• Avoid the me factor. The workplace has its own unspoken rules and invisible rites of passage. You're part of a team now. Individual efforts are made for the benefit of the group and your employer's bottom line. While it's healthy to have an appetite to move up, don't try to nab credit at every corner. There is a time and place for self-promotion. Keep a list of your accomplishments and bring them up during your annual review.

• Handle office politics. Gossiping can be hazardous to your professional reputation. If asked to dish with colleagues, try to avoid responding and change the subject. If others are whispering about you, confront the culprit privately. Your friends are what you have outside of the office. At work, you can have cordial relations and lunch buddies, but don't become a victim of office politics. If you leave, it should be because you know you're moving on to something more satisfying, not because of those politics.

• Learn to adjust. Did you just break up with your sweetheart? Relocate to a new city? Your work pressures could stem from personal stress. Transitioning from academia to the workforce is unsettling, especially when combined with other issues. Give yourself time to settle in to your new environment. Use local newspapers and entertainment guides to familiarize yourself with cultural attractions, religious congregations and social events in the area. Join a community sports team, a gym or find other outlets to relax and restore your work/life balance.

• Peek in a co-worker's mirror. If the marketing hat doesn't fit, don't throw in the towel before exploring other divisions in the company. If someone else's job title sounds more intriguing, invite that colleague to lunch to talk about the role they play in the company. Find out what skills and credentials are required for the position. Another option is to schedule time with a human resources representative to find out about the job. You also can gain skills in another discipline by volunteering to help folks in different departments —if your supervisor has given you permission.

Are you really in the wrong job?

If you've tried to fix the problem, but you're still watching the clock, lacking motivation and crying in the bathroom, it's time to pull yourself together. You may be mismatched for your job.

Everyone can feel down and depressed from time to time, but if the Monday blues are lasting until Friday, the chances are you're not just having an off day.

Lack of shuteye can affect your ability to handle stress and your work relations. Being prompt for work and meetings is critical for new employees. If you're having a hard time being on time, go to bed earlier, take naps or make it up on the weekend. But if job stress continues to deprive you of sleep, it may be time to start the job search.

Don't burn any bridges

Handing in your resignation should be a last resort. If the sources of your frustration can't be fixed, make sure you don't exit too hastily.

Here are some things to consider before you walk out the door:

• Don't stay in a toxic situation. If you're working for a boss who isn't supporting you and berates you, turn to your human resources department. Try to get transferred elsewhere in the company. If it's still unbearable, leave.

• Man overboard. Before you jump ship, you should try to have something else lined up. But avoid taking just any job. Network after-hours to learn about different industries and openings at other firms; use lunch breaks for informational interviews. Use head-hunters who are expert job-matchers.

• Temporarily employed. Temping is great way to try new fields and focus yourself on a career path. Some temp agencies even offer "hard" benefits including health insurance, vacation days and pension or 401(k) plans. Make sure to work with a reputable firm that specializes in the type of work you're seeking. A red flag should go up if your resume gets lost in a staffing company's paper jungle. The moment you call in, the recruiter working with you should be able to look you up in his database and view your professional history and skills.

Remember that overall, the benefits of remaining at your first job often outweigh the negatives.

If your employer offers training programs, professional association memberships and good contacts, use them. Try to do everything you can before handing in your resignation.

In most careers, you've got to put your time in before you can reach your dream job. There's a lot you can learn from.

Next steps

• Adjust your attitude. At your first job, you can build soft skills such as listening, negotiating and communicating. You need to learn to instill confidence in yourself and win others' trust to take on more responsibility. If you lack a valid excuse for your unhappiness, your attitude could be what's off.
• Assess the whole package. Great savings occur when an employer picks up the tab on health insurance, matches your 401(k) and provides training or tuition reimbursement. Your best bet is to land personally gratifying work in an environment where you can excel and increase your value in the marketplace.
• Swim or cut bait. The longer you remain in an un-rewarding job, the harder it becomes to discover what you do want to do. You'll miss out on experiences that expose you to your options. Make sure your inner motivation level hits a 7 on a 1-10 scale or move on.