115 Tips to Shine on Your First IT Job

So you have joined your first job in the IT field or you are about to join sooner, then this article on how to shine and impress your employer will be really a goldmine of useful information for you.

It is very important to start our IT career on a strong footing as it will pave down the path for our future growth in this field.

Let’s go through these tips!


Tips to Shine on Your First IT Job

1. Be proactive.

2. Ask questions.

3. Find out about the team culture and environment before accepting an offer.

4. Don’t be afraid to speak up when you have a concern or idea for improvement, but also know your place in the company hierarchy.

5. Show initiative by volunteering to take on new projects or tasks outside of your job description.

First IT Job

6. Get involved with community organizations that are relevant to what you do at work (e.g., attend developer meetups).

7. Speak up if you see something that needs improving – don’t wait for someone else to fix it!.

8. Be willing to put in the extra effort when you’re given important assignments.

9. Review your job description every 6 months and talk to your manager about any areas that are not relevant, or that do not need to be done anymore.

10. Ask for clarification if anything is unclear in your job description, or if you feel like it is incomplete.

11. Learn as much as you can about the products and services your company provides.

12. Review your performance with your manager on a regular basis to ensure that you’re meeting expectations.

13. Be an active and engaged team member by participating in all meetings and conference calls, and listening carefully for important updates or decisions that may affect you.

14. At larger companies, be mindful of your work and how it impacts other teams/departments.

15. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re having difficulty with something or are facing challenges at work that are getting in the way of your productivity.

16. Be aware of corporate politics but don’t feed office gossip or play office politics.

17. Be open to feedback on your performance, but also be willing to give constructive criticism on the work of others.

18. Do as much as you can before deadlines rather than right at the last minute – this shows critical thinking and good planning skills.

19. Don’t let challenges bring you down – solve them as quickly as possible to get back on track.

20. Be aware of what your manager is looking for, and tailor your approach accordingly (e.g., if they like to be kept abreast with status updates, do so regularly).

21. Ask for feedback often – it’s critical in the tech industry where things change so quickly.

22. Treat employees from different levels with respect, and be willing to help out when needed.

23. Be aware of how your actions might affect co-workers – don’t be a “social butterfly” or a “backstabber”.

24. Don’t forget that you’re representing the company every time you interact with people you don’t know (e.g., at networking functions).

25. Be aware of deadlines and timeframes, but also remember to take breaks and be healthy.

26. Maintain a positive attitude no matter what happens; nothing is ever 100% negative.

27. Collaborate on projects whenever possible both inside and outside your team.

28. Be honest and upfront with managers about your availability, whether that’s during the interview process or after you accept an offer.

29. Do not gossip – it creates unneeded drama, divides teams, and makes you look bad.

30. Avoid politics as much as possible; if you’re asked to do something that you feel is wrong, flag it with your manager.

31. Make sure you’re on time for meetings and don’t leave early – always give a full day’s work for a full day’s pay.

32. Be enthusiastic about new ideas and projects, especially those outside of your comfort zone.

33. If you have an idea for how things can be done better, share it with your manager – don’t let it eat you up inside.

34. Be mindful of the deadlines that are shared with the team, but also take ownership for any projects/tasks that are assigned to you.

35. If there’s something at work that needs fixing, speak up about it – even if it’s not your responsibility.

36. Look for opportunities to take on new challenges, rather than just doing the same things over and over.

37. Don’t come off cocky or disrespectful – no one likes a know-it-all.

38. Be flexible in your approach when you have difficult co-workers, and remember that it’s not personal.

39. Be organized in everything that you do; if you’re disorganized, people will notice – both good and bad.

40. Always be straight with your manager about your availability (e.g., for training or conferences).

41. Remember the little things like saying “please” and “thank you,” or holding the door open for someone.

42. Be ready to admit when you make a mistake – no one is perfect; if you own up to it, others will respect you more.

43. Help out your peers whenever possible; the company will benefit in the long run if everyone works together.

44. Get to know the people on your team – it’ll increase efficiency and make for a better work environment

45. Be aware of how you are coming across to others, both in person and online (e.g., on social media).

46. Don’t lose your confidence or motivation just because things aren’t going exactly as planned.

47. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it – no one knows everything.

48. Never badmouth your company or boss – not only will they find out, but it’ll also affect how people see you

49. Learn something new every day, whether that’s by reading online articles, taking an online course, or attending conferences

50. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself when you believe in something

51. Remember that even the best laid plans can go wrong, so stay flexible and learn from your mistakes

52. If you’re not sure about something, ask questions – don’t let your ego get in the way of what you don’t know

53. Show your appreciation to the people who work outside of their comfort zones – whether that’s by saying “thank you” or giving them a bonus.

54. Be approachable, especially if you’re new to the company.

55. Don’t slack off just because you think no one is looking – people are always watching.

56. Don’t make promises if you aren’t sure they can be kept.

57. Always strive to be the best at what you do; quality is more important than quantity.

58. Communicate with your manager when you’re going on vacation – it’ll prevent any issues that may arise while you’re away.

59. If you don’t understand something, or if there’s a problem, speak up right away – it’s better to deal with it sooner rather than later.

60. Never assume anything; instead, ask questions and listen to the responses.

61. Be aware of people’s feelings and emotions (e.g., someone might be having a bad day).

62. If you don’t know how to do something, say no or ask for advice – it’s better than making a mistake and looking foolish.

63. Remember that work and life are separate things; switch off when you leave the office and enjoy your free time away from work.

64. Always treat people you meet with respect and kindness.

65. If there’s a problem, don’t be afraid to fix it – no one will mind (and it’ll make you look good).

66. When delegating tasks, make sure that everything is clear; if not, the person might make mistakes.

67. Don’t shy away from taking on more if you’re able to do it.

68. Be yourself while at work – people will appreciate the real you.

69. Don’t lose your temper or be too harsh with your criticism; instead, offer helpful feedback that can be accepted by everyone.

70. Stay positive even when everything seems to go wrong.

71. Never gossip or say negative things about people – do it and you could be the next person to become the talk of the office.

72. If someone offends you, let them know in a respectful way; it’s better than holding your feelings in.

73. Ask for help when something is too much for you – don’t try to do it alone.

74. Don’t ask people to do things you wouldn’t do yourself.

75. Talk about your roots and be proud of where you came from; don’t forget where you came from or who helped you get where you are today.

76. Be honest when making promises, especially if they could affect someone else.

77. Don’t be afraid to say “no” – you don’t have to do everything that’s asked of you; sometimes, your first thought is the best.

78. If something feels wrong, it probably is (e.g., an argument with a co-worker).

79. Always make time for the people you love and who love you – a little appreciation can go a long way

80. When something goes wrong, don’t jump to conclusions or start looking for someone to blame – instead, try to understand why it happened so you can prevent it from happening again in the future.

81. Work hard when at work, but don’t forget to have fun – there’s always time for fun.

82. Don’t ask people about their personal life if you don’t know them well, especially when they’re in a meeting or presentation.

83. If you’re not happy with your job, consider changing the things that are making you unhappy instead of just quitting.

84. Be grateful for the opportunities you have instead of dwelling on any that you’ve missed.

85. Never assume but always ask – don’t waste time making up for lost time later on.

86. Remember to go home at the end of your shift; working too much is never a good thing.

87. If someone asks for your help, say yes and do everything you can.

88. Always be prepared – never be the one who misses their deadlines.

89. Make decisions carefully; don’t rush into anything you’re going to regret later on.

90. Manners are a necessity – a little kindness goes a long way.

91. Don’t let your career define you; instead, make the most out of every opportunity.

92. Don’t be afraid to try something new or different – sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

93. If someone is upset, give them space until they’re ready to talk about what happened.

94. Appreciate your co-workers, even if you don’t get along with them.

95. Bring your full self to work every day – there’s no reason not to.

96. Everyone makes mistakes; it doesn’t mean that they’re a bad person.

97. If someone does something that offends you, ask them why instead of just getting angry about it.

98. Right or wrong, a bad review can make or break someone’s career.

99. If you’re having a hard time, talk to your boss instead of keeping it all inside.

100. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and what you believe in – no one else will do it for you.

101. If you don’t like your job, either change it or get the courage to tell someone about it.

102. Don’t spend too much time at work; set boundaries so that work doesn’t take over your life.

103. Always finish what you started – always complete the projects that are handed to you.

104. Don’t be the reason why someone feels like they don’t belong at work.

105. Spend time on yourself; it’ll make you a better person if anything.

106. Be grateful for your opportunities; even if they’re not what you want, you never know where they could lead to in the future.

107. Make sure that the person in charge knows your name if you work for them, even if you’re uncertain about yourself.

108. If someone is being rude to you, ask them why they’re acting that way before getting angry at them

109. Compliment people on their work when it’s due – appreciation never hurt anyone.

110. Don’t lose your temper with anyone; it can really affect their confidence after that.

111. Don’t be afraid to say no when you’re asked to do things that are above and beyond what’s expected of you.

112. Make sure that your work speaks for itself – don’t let other people speak for it instead.

113. Never be afraid to ask for help when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

114. Take control of your career; don’t let it dictate your life.

115. If someone cares about you, make sure that they know how much you care about them too.

I hope these tips will be really helpful to you. Keep reading our other useful posts in this blog.


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