6 answers
Reagan
Student
Charleston, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
469 views
How do you find the perfect first job after graduation?
Specifically, if someone is interested in entrepreneurship, business management, and needs to start small in order to go big in their career
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6 answers
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Minister, USMC Vet, John C. Maxwell Cert. Coach, Trainer, Speaker, Teacher, Straight Shooter
118
Answers
Kyle, Texas
Updated
Steward "Tony"’s Answer
I hate to answer a question with a question first, but are you in high school or college? The two are similar but can lead you in different directions.
As a senior headhunter (retired) I have helped many young people turn a fast-food restaurant resume into an entry level corporate masterpiece. All hired the first try, but on a few occasions these recently graduated students were hired with substantial increases in their starting pay. Some with more pay than the seasoned employees are already there. Hmmmmm?
Why am I telling you this? Think about it (I'll give you a minute) OK! OK! I know you can't figure it out, like my colleges already have. It's experience!
Where's your experience? That would include part time/weekend work, volunteer work, home business (you mentioned entrepreneur), hobbies (which can turn a profit), talents (sing, dance, comedy, martial arts, sports, etc.), mowing lawns, selling door to door, etc.
Anything you could do to make money is your first finance test. A money maker appreciates a driven candidate. "Sell! Sell! Sell! Close! Close! Close!"
In the 70's I started at Standard & Poor's in NYC (345 Hudson St.) in the mail room. Think about that! Where would you want to start just to get into a specific finance company? Everyone wants to start at the top, but the middle is good, and the bottom is great (if nothing else works). Are you willing to move? Find work while your looking for work? Have you read the books and/or listened to audio/video on the subject matter? Thats called "Personal Development"
Back in the 70's & 80's I had to fly to my interviews as there were no internet sites or apps. On my own dime when I only had a nickel. I did so with IBM in Texas, after being denied in NYC (my hometown) and California, and I was hired. I went in for their technical position, but I failed the electronics portion of the test by one point. They offered me only an apology but could not hire me.
As I walked out the door, I thought to myself "Sell Sell Sell Close! Close! Close!" (Standard & Poors training) & blurted out "I'll make you a deal! You give me a mop, a broom and a uniform that says JULIO on it and I'll work my way up to that position".
Now Julio is not my name, but would you believe I got the job? A few days later, disappointed, I was on my way home, leaving for the Grey Hound bus depot when my room phone rang just as I was about to close the door behind me (we had no cell phones). "You start Monday", my interviewer stated. "Congrats Tony!" I was elated!
My first day, I dressed in jeans and sneakers to IBM Corp, thinking I was a janitor. Everyone laughed at me when they asked why I did not have a suit and a tie on "AT THE BRANCH OFFICE MEETING" which I cluelessly walked into. ha! ha! ha! I had two hours to do a "My Cousin Vinney" wardrobe switch or lose my new job. I bought a 3-piece smelly pinstripe, shirt & rubber tie, with 1950s dress shoes for my first few weeks at IBM Corp. Yes, I wanted it that badly! No crying, no humility, no shame. I fought for it.
I closed the deal because I wanted it. I was willing to show my interviewer that I was that guy they needed. No matter what! That my friend is called "HEART"
It's why they hired me, "As Is", my only credential was a DD214 & Can-Do Attitude.
Think about what I am attempting to tell you, and everyone else, for that matter.
Everybody will have some sort of Degree, Certificate, Diploma, Referrals, (let's not forget freaking EGO) but you, in finance, in entrepreneurship must use everything you brought to the table to successfully sell! sell! sell! close! close! close! Like a great investment opportunity, know the plan but also know the target.
Sorry for the ramble, but knowledge is not power. Only applied knowledge is the true power. Start networking with people in the business, at the companies you want to align with, look at opportunities to engage (at low or no cost) and construct a master resume ready to copy, paste and refine for every position you come across which falls in line with your goals and aspirations.
I'll leave it here as I'll write till the sun goes down. I pray I helped. God Bless You!
The "River of Success" Leadership Team
"Take the River of Success to an Ocean of Opportunity!"
As a senior headhunter (retired) I have helped many young people turn a fast-food restaurant resume into an entry level corporate masterpiece. All hired the first try, but on a few occasions these recently graduated students were hired with substantial increases in their starting pay. Some with more pay than the seasoned employees are already there. Hmmmmm?
Why am I telling you this? Think about it (I'll give you a minute) OK! OK! I know you can't figure it out, like my colleges already have. It's experience!
Where's your experience? That would include part time/weekend work, volunteer work, home business (you mentioned entrepreneur), hobbies (which can turn a profit), talents (sing, dance, comedy, martial arts, sports, etc.), mowing lawns, selling door to door, etc.
Anything you could do to make money is your first finance test. A money maker appreciates a driven candidate. "Sell! Sell! Sell! Close! Close! Close!"
In the 70's I started at Standard & Poor's in NYC (345 Hudson St.) in the mail room. Think about that! Where would you want to start just to get into a specific finance company? Everyone wants to start at the top, but the middle is good, and the bottom is great (if nothing else works). Are you willing to move? Find work while your looking for work? Have you read the books and/or listened to audio/video on the subject matter? Thats called "Personal Development"
Back in the 70's & 80's I had to fly to my interviews as there were no internet sites or apps. On my own dime when I only had a nickel. I did so with IBM in Texas, after being denied in NYC (my hometown) and California, and I was hired. I went in for their technical position, but I failed the electronics portion of the test by one point. They offered me only an apology but could not hire me.
As I walked out the door, I thought to myself "Sell Sell Sell Close! Close! Close!" (Standard & Poors training) & blurted out "I'll make you a deal! You give me a mop, a broom and a uniform that says JULIO on it and I'll work my way up to that position".
Now Julio is not my name, but would you believe I got the job? A few days later, disappointed, I was on my way home, leaving for the Grey Hound bus depot when my room phone rang just as I was about to close the door behind me (we had no cell phones). "You start Monday", my interviewer stated. "Congrats Tony!" I was elated!
My first day, I dressed in jeans and sneakers to IBM Corp, thinking I was a janitor. Everyone laughed at me when they asked why I did not have a suit and a tie on "AT THE BRANCH OFFICE MEETING" which I cluelessly walked into. ha! ha! ha! I had two hours to do a "My Cousin Vinney" wardrobe switch or lose my new job. I bought a 3-piece smelly pinstripe, shirt & rubber tie, with 1950s dress shoes for my first few weeks at IBM Corp. Yes, I wanted it that badly! No crying, no humility, no shame. I fought for it.
I closed the deal because I wanted it. I was willing to show my interviewer that I was that guy they needed. No matter what! That my friend is called "HEART"
It's why they hired me, "As Is", my only credential was a DD214 & Can-Do Attitude.
Think about what I am attempting to tell you, and everyone else, for that matter.
Everybody will have some sort of Degree, Certificate, Diploma, Referrals, (let's not forget freaking EGO) but you, in finance, in entrepreneurship must use everything you brought to the table to successfully sell! sell! sell! close! close! close! Like a great investment opportunity, know the plan but also know the target.
Sorry for the ramble, but knowledge is not power. Only applied knowledge is the true power. Start networking with people in the business, at the companies you want to align with, look at opportunities to engage (at low or no cost) and construct a master resume ready to copy, paste and refine for every position you come across which falls in line with your goals and aspirations.
I'll leave it here as I'll write till the sun goes down. I pray I helped. God Bless You!
The "River of Success" Leadership Team
"Take the River of Success to an Ocean of Opportunity!"
Vera Vetter
Product Manager
22
Answers
Mountain View, California
Updated
Vera’s Answer
First, I’d like to echo the advice above: don’t aim for the “perfect job” — it simply doesn’t exist, and chasing it can lead to early disappointment. Instead, focus on finding an opportunity where you won’t feel stuck. Think of it as a playground where you can experiment, develop a versatile skill set, work alongside high-caliber colleagues to learn from, and nurture your intellectual curiosity. These are the pillars of a workplace that can truly set you up for success in the next steps of your career.
Robin Elrod
2
Answers
Updated
Robin’s Answer
Hi Reagan,
I think you are on the right path based on the final sentence of your question - 'start small to go big.' My first job out of college was at a three-person PR company with a small salary but HUGE opportunities for impact and connections. Something about the job just felt right and I was able to recognize the potential. Sure enough, it led to connections at the next job where I would spend 8+ years and grow immensely.
There certainly will never be the 'perfect' job, so you just need to weigh what is important to you and find the job that is strongest in that area. For a first job, I'd recommend prioritizing:
- Opportunities to network and make connections. This is going to differ from job to job, and sometimes the smaller companies are great to have a high impact and work directly with leaders in your first couple of years. Jobs with hands-on opportunities to work with technology and develop your key skills will always be best. Humility will never go out of style in professional environments, so diving into workplaces you can easily ask for advice and build those lifelong connections is only going to further your career.
- Companies you believe in. This should ALWAYS be a first step. To this day when I look for jobs, I start from the top and ensure that I agree with the company's image, public messaging, leadership priorities, etc. This will ensure that you have passion in what you're doing and can put your full self behind the work, no matter the task.
- Be bold in reaching out. Today, it's so easy to reach people from companies via LinkedIn, etc. Remember that people receive multiple messages daily from people hoping to join the team. Be upfront about the unique things you can bring to the team, find employees who are directly associated with the roles that you are interested in and/or that you have mutual connections with. I have found that people are more than willing to help out those who are genuine in their asks for help and guidance. On the flipside of this, however, use discretion in who you reach out to. Some well-placed and thoughtful messages to 5-10 people will go MUCH further than blanket spamming hundreds of people.
Research some top companies you love in terms of vision and corporate messaging
Find 5-10 people from those companies on LinkedIn who you have mutual connections with and ask for an intro/introduce yourself!
I think you are on the right path based on the final sentence of your question - 'start small to go big.' My first job out of college was at a three-person PR company with a small salary but HUGE opportunities for impact and connections. Something about the job just felt right and I was able to recognize the potential. Sure enough, it led to connections at the next job where I would spend 8+ years and grow immensely.
There certainly will never be the 'perfect' job, so you just need to weigh what is important to you and find the job that is strongest in that area. For a first job, I'd recommend prioritizing:
- Opportunities to network and make connections. This is going to differ from job to job, and sometimes the smaller companies are great to have a high impact and work directly with leaders in your first couple of years. Jobs with hands-on opportunities to work with technology and develop your key skills will always be best. Humility will never go out of style in professional environments, so diving into workplaces you can easily ask for advice and build those lifelong connections is only going to further your career.
- Companies you believe in. This should ALWAYS be a first step. To this day when I look for jobs, I start from the top and ensure that I agree with the company's image, public messaging, leadership priorities, etc. This will ensure that you have passion in what you're doing and can put your full self behind the work, no matter the task.
- Be bold in reaching out. Today, it's so easy to reach people from companies via LinkedIn, etc. Remember that people receive multiple messages daily from people hoping to join the team. Be upfront about the unique things you can bring to the team, find employees who are directly associated with the roles that you are interested in and/or that you have mutual connections with. I have found that people are more than willing to help out those who are genuine in their asks for help and guidance. On the flipside of this, however, use discretion in who you reach out to. Some well-placed and thoughtful messages to 5-10 people will go MUCH further than blanket spamming hundreds of people.
Robin recommends the following next steps:
Justin Shapiro
Accounting | Finance | Financial Systems | Non-Profit Volunteer
76
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Justin’s Answer
Hi Reagan,
Finding the perfect first job after graduation, especially with an entrepreneurial mindset, involves strategic steps to gain relevant experience, build a network, and develop skills. Here’s a roadmap:
1. Look for Roles that Emphasize Versatility
• Start Small in Broad Roles: Early roles in small businesses or startups often allow you to wear multiple hats, exposing you to operations, finance, marketing, and client relations. These roles offer a hands-on experience that’s invaluable for future business owners.
• Entry-Level Positions with Growth Potential: Positions like business analyst, sales associate, or marketing coordinator can provide foundational skills in business strategy, customer interaction, and market understanding.
2. Seek Mentorship and Networking Opportunities
• Choose Jobs with Accessible Leadership: Work environments with approachable, experienced leaders can give you informal mentorship, insights into decision-making, and a close-up view of management.
• Attend Industry Events and Networking Groups: Leverage events, alumni networks, and online groups to build relationships. Knowing people in your field can open doors to partnerships, advice, and even future clients.
3. Learn to Evaluate Business Processes
• Prioritize Jobs with Operational Exposure: Look for roles that let you understand the “behind-the-scenes” of a business, such as operations or project management. Even entry-level operational or administrative roles offer insights into running a business efficiently.
• Understand Financial Fundamentals: Positions that allow you to work with budgets, expenses, or financial analysis will teach you the financial discipline critical to entrepreneurship.
4. Cultivate Problem-Solving and Sales Skills
• Sales or Client-Facing Roles: Sales skills are valuable because they teach resilience, negotiation, and an understanding of customer needs. These skills are essential in any entrepreneurial journey.
• Customer Service and Problem Solving: Interacting with customers and handling issues as they arise can give you insights into consumer behavior, product/service feedback, and help you become customer-centric, which is key to a successful business.
5. Get Comfortable with Technology
• Explore Tech-Savvy Roles: Familiarize yourself with business management tools, analytics platforms, or project management software. Tech skills are increasingly valuable, especially in a startup setting, where lean operations often rely on digital solutions.
6. Consider Side Projects or Internships in Entrepreneurship
• Start a Side Hustle or Freelance: Test out business ideas or gain experience in areas like social media management, web design, or e-commerce. Side hustles help you build entrepreneurial skills, even if you have a full-time job.
• Intern in Early-Stage Startups: Internships can provide a lower-stakes environment to learn about startup challenges, growth strategies, and operational demands.
7. Prioritize a Learning Mindset
• Focus on Learning Over Earnings (Initially): The best first job for an aspiring entrepreneur is one where you’ll learn, network, and build critical skills—even if it’s not the highest-paying. Early sacrifices often pay off as you’ll be more prepared to launch your venture.
Starting with a job that maximizes learning and allows you to explore the many facets of running a business will prepare you for the complexities of entrepreneurship down the road.
Finding the perfect first job after graduation, especially with an entrepreneurial mindset, involves strategic steps to gain relevant experience, build a network, and develop skills. Here’s a roadmap:
1. Look for Roles that Emphasize Versatility
• Start Small in Broad Roles: Early roles in small businesses or startups often allow you to wear multiple hats, exposing you to operations, finance, marketing, and client relations. These roles offer a hands-on experience that’s invaluable for future business owners.
• Entry-Level Positions with Growth Potential: Positions like business analyst, sales associate, or marketing coordinator can provide foundational skills in business strategy, customer interaction, and market understanding.
2. Seek Mentorship and Networking Opportunities
• Choose Jobs with Accessible Leadership: Work environments with approachable, experienced leaders can give you informal mentorship, insights into decision-making, and a close-up view of management.
• Attend Industry Events and Networking Groups: Leverage events, alumni networks, and online groups to build relationships. Knowing people in your field can open doors to partnerships, advice, and even future clients.
3. Learn to Evaluate Business Processes
• Prioritize Jobs with Operational Exposure: Look for roles that let you understand the “behind-the-scenes” of a business, such as operations or project management. Even entry-level operational or administrative roles offer insights into running a business efficiently.
• Understand Financial Fundamentals: Positions that allow you to work with budgets, expenses, or financial analysis will teach you the financial discipline critical to entrepreneurship.
4. Cultivate Problem-Solving and Sales Skills
• Sales or Client-Facing Roles: Sales skills are valuable because they teach resilience, negotiation, and an understanding of customer needs. These skills are essential in any entrepreneurial journey.
• Customer Service and Problem Solving: Interacting with customers and handling issues as they arise can give you insights into consumer behavior, product/service feedback, and help you become customer-centric, which is key to a successful business.
5. Get Comfortable with Technology
• Explore Tech-Savvy Roles: Familiarize yourself with business management tools, analytics platforms, or project management software. Tech skills are increasingly valuable, especially in a startup setting, where lean operations often rely on digital solutions.
6. Consider Side Projects or Internships in Entrepreneurship
• Start a Side Hustle or Freelance: Test out business ideas or gain experience in areas like social media management, web design, or e-commerce. Side hustles help you build entrepreneurial skills, even if you have a full-time job.
• Intern in Early-Stage Startups: Internships can provide a lower-stakes environment to learn about startup challenges, growth strategies, and operational demands.
7. Prioritize a Learning Mindset
• Focus on Learning Over Earnings (Initially): The best first job for an aspiring entrepreneur is one where you’ll learn, network, and build critical skills—even if it’s not the highest-paying. Early sacrifices often pay off as you’ll be more prepared to launch your venture.
Starting with a job that maximizes learning and allows you to explore the many facets of running a business will prepare you for the complexities of entrepreneurship down the road.
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1593
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
FOLLOW THE MONEY
Reagan if you have the opportunity to join a large investment bank, hedge fund or venture capital group these could be the best first jobs for future entrepreneurs because you don't necessarily want it to lead to a career in finance, but to understand understand the finance business, so this financial first job could offer you a incredible optionality. It is very common to see people come out of finance background and become startup entrepreneurs because finance is good for wealth accumulation. If you work in finance, you can translate these skills into whatever industry or practice area you choose to pursue.
Once you hit the start button on implementing your start-up idea, and you are in the process of actively turning it into a business venture; it’s not too hard to notice that everything about the world of entrepreneurship revolves around “money”. Entrepreneurs are constantly raising and spending money in order to make more money which makes sense because that’s what starting a business is all about, right Reagan.
Reagan if you have the opportunity to join a large investment bank, hedge fund or venture capital group these could be the best first jobs for future entrepreneurs because you don't necessarily want it to lead to a career in finance, but to understand understand the finance business, so this financial first job could offer you a incredible optionality. It is very common to see people come out of finance background and become startup entrepreneurs because finance is good for wealth accumulation. If you work in finance, you can translate these skills into whatever industry or practice area you choose to pursue.
Once you hit the start button on implementing your start-up idea, and you are in the process of actively turning it into a business venture; it’s not too hard to notice that everything about the world of entrepreneurship revolves around “money”. Entrepreneurs are constantly raising and spending money in order to make more money which makes sense because that’s what starting a business is all about, right Reagan.
Felicia Barrs
Lead Property Management - Network Engineering
6
Answers
Little Elm, Texas
Updated
Felicia’s Answer
Seek out work that fuels your enthusiasm in some way. There may be times when it's not immediately apparent how specific roles contribute to your broader career path, but it's crucial to seize every learning opportunity from each position that guides you towards your ultimate career goals. With every new job I took on, my initial reaction was "I'm in over my head". However, reflecting on my career, I realize that each role was a stepping stone that readied me for the next. Identify your passions, whether they be people, service, innovation, technology, athletics, fashion, and so forth. Aim for roles within these areas that ignite your passion.