Even if you graduated with honors and were a superstar during your summer internship, starting your first job can bring on a whole new set of challenges. You have a big learning curve ahead of you, you need to feel your way around the office culture, and you want to impress a group of people with whom who you’ll probably be working for a very long time.

2. When you’re new to an office, it can be easy to trust your co-workers when they start
complaining, talking about others, or throwing out office conspiracy theories about
what upper management is plotting next. They know the ropes, so they must be
right—right?

3. Once you’ve got a good grasp on your job, feel free to ask for some of the more
exciting opportunities you see or make suggestions for process improvements. You’ll
have plenty of time to start making more meaningful contributions—just make sure
that you’re doing a stellar job at your job, first.

4. No one will expect you to know everything. In fact, if you’re unclear on something,
your co-workers probably prefer that you ask questions now instead of guessing and
making a mistake you’ll have to fix later. It’s perfectly okay to admit when you need
help or clarification, and there are plenty of people around you who were once in
your shoes and would be happy to share their expertise. So ask them!

5. After you’ve learned the ropes a bit and are off and running, remember that you
still need to keep your boss actively in the loop about what you’re working on and
the progress you’re making. Get an idea of how often your boss likes to be
updated, both in general and when you’re working on a particular project. Does
she want to debrief at weekly meetings, or would she prefer periodic emails
detailing the latest updates?

6. Even if your first job isn’t necessarily your dream job, don’t dismiss it as a waste of
time. Think instead about the new experiences you’re gaining—running meetings,
putting together presentations, dealing with clients, or even just spending time at a
company that will look great on your resume. Even a small change in perspective make
“paying your dues” at a so-so job seem much more worthwhile.

7. The AMCAT is India’s first employability assessment test that help fresh graduates
to get their first job quickly and efficiently.