#FirstDayBlues #NewJobStruggles
Hey, I totally get where you’re coming from. Starting a new job can be really tough, especially when it’s not what you expected. But don’t worry, you’re not alone in feeling this way! It’s totally normal to feel a bit lost and unsure at the beginning.
So, you’re in a tough spot right now because you had to take the first opportunity that came your way, and it’s not exactly what you were hoping for. But hey, think about it this way – you’re gaining some valuable office experience, and that’s something that can really help you in the long run. Plus, you never know what doors this job could open for you in the future.
As for your resume, you can always highlight the transferable skills you’ve gained from this job – like communication, organization, and customer service skills. You can also think of specific examples of how you went above and beyond in your role, even if it’s just answering phones.
It’s tough right now, but think of it as a stepping stone towards something better. And who knows, maybe there’s a chance for growth and more responsibilities in this role down the line. Hang in there and don’t be too hard on yourself – you’re capable of so much more, and this is just the beginning of your journey. 💪🏽🌟
Did you read the job description before applying and accepting the position? Make sure you’re being trained and tasked with those responsibilities, or find another job and quit.
Most jobs they start you off light in duties then add tasks/responsibilities.
Also no one tells your this but at some places you have to onboard yourself and crave out your own duties.
It’s only your first day but it will get better. Work on skill building between your call duties. Take good notes write documentation or manuals for your job if they don’t exist.
After 3 mos if it’s not better than start looking.
Unfortunately, a lot is promised once you finish college. The reality is that it’s going to take time to find what you deserve and truly want. You have to start somewhere, and although that is hard to hear, it’s the truth. Give it some time and if you really hate it, keep applying and potentially get a different job in the Chi!
I understand your frustation, “Admin Assistant” involves answering phones as you know. You may learn few law tasks in few months, dont stop looking for other jobs. Give some time.
Here’s what to do: be honest. Tell your boss what happened and that this is not the job for you.
Offer to stay on until they can find a replacement, or you find a job “in your field”
This will likely leave you with a good reference, and that goes a long way.
its a job, use the time (on work time) to look for something else, it IS experience.. stay strong.
Most people’s first job out of college sucks, mine did too, it’ll get better.
This is an especially difficult time for everyone so don’t feel bad. You have a job. It’s not great but it’s something. Its in the meantime and not for life. Just keep your eyes out for new opportunities but don’t quit until you have something else. I understand. I worked retail many years during and after college. Just be patient and know you will move up but it’s not a great time. You are competing with a lot of others and it’s discouraging
Administrative Assistants are eased in and duties increase over time.
You should feel fortunate that you didn’t get thrown into the fire on the first day instead.
You are right, you’re letting your ego get in the way.
Take some time to appreciate that you have the job, go in every day and nail it, keep a good attitude, learn everything you can, take on more responsibilities, get well acquainted with everyone at your job and stay on good terms with them, and see how it unfolds.
In the end you’ll likely move on to another employer, but you have to see this as a building block, a stepping stone. Also, never discount the connections you make at any job. You never know how important they can be in the future when you’re making moves.
Congrats on the new job!
Not getting shot in Chicago (Chiraq) IS a full time job.
When I graduated last year I had the idea that I’d get into a great job shortly after…I’m learning that you need to work your way up regardless. Makes me wish I started working my way up years ago rather than getting my degree honestly.
welcome to the real world bud
I get it, many have been where you are, but there’s something called “office training” and it easily takes a couple of years to learn the ins and outs of office life, how to manage yourself as well as others, go through easy periods and tough periods. Once you’ve seen a bit of it all, others will have an easier time entrusting you with more complex tasks due to experience. In the meantime, the best you can do is to take initiative when the opportunity exists.
This is day 1 right?
Most people start out doing very low risk tasks and evolve into something more. I doubt you’ve hit a wall in your career already.
that’s a great “foot in the door” job that will give you a good network and a lot of skills if you utilize it correctly! look at it as a one to two year stepping stone to set you up well to a new role!
I just resigned from my job as a legal assistant, and am returning to working for the state child protective services. maybe that is something that you could look into?
Yeah work sucks am I right
People always add more to resumes. You can put more than answering phones. Say data entry and customer service and problem solving, computer program skills etc.
Most jobs stink for the first couple weeks, especially the first ones out of school. Relax, do your best and plan your next move while earning some cash. It’s easier to get a job when you have a job.
Yeah lotta jobs like that. What you’re gonna do is keep a rolling conversation with approachable employees, and anytime you hear something where you could help, observe, train, or generally gain experience, offer to do so.
The results are the only thing you put on your resume.
1) what is the job title?
2) *what can they promote you too*?
They’re gonna give you stupid stuff initially and within 3 months, ask you to do more.
You are “client-facing”. You mirror the job description that led you to apply.
This is what you need to be mindful of – working for a law office can lead to other things (learning more about, saying, being a billing/accounting coordinator, which can pay well; doing more tasks, including related to actual legal duties) – but it has to be a good company.
For whatever it’s worth, if you can find the job description you can just reframe the essential duties of the JD in a resume entry. They’re not going to know that almost all you did was answer phones unless you tell them.
A lot of great pointers in this thread. I’d also like to let you in on a secrets. Lie on your resume about the duties you did at your job. I’m not saying lie and add things you’re not capable about but for me example I know how to use power bi and primavera but never used it in my first job. On my resume I wrote that I used it all the time etc. now I have the job I wanted after 2 years.
Most jobs are not truthful about what exactly the job is. Most bosses are terrible at using employees skills. Do what I am doing right now. Keep working, look for a new job that will be a better fit, try to negotiate with the current boss to adjust your current job, remember it’s a learning experience. This was going to happen at some point, better to figure out now and adjust.
Give it 3 months and if your initial feelings about the job haven’t subsided, look for another.
The company name builds your resume. If have time while at work, you can observe how the senior people behave – that’s part of learning the ropes – learning when to shut up and when to speak. Learning who has the titles and who’s really in charge.
Every business, every office has a different dynamic. You learn what you like by living it. You don’t learn that in one day – but you can learn what you DON’T like in one day.
Well what about opportunities to network in this position?
OP, I appreciate that you seem to get this is an ego thing for you, but I have to say, I find it wild the amount of people in my life who have had similar reactions after their first day of work. Like I don’t get how people expect their first job after school to be amazing. You are going to learn a lot in the job that will be favorable to firms/offices looking for a paralegal/legal admin work. Give it some time
Yes you can put that on a resume. You are also going to need references in the future, so make sure that you get along with people at your new job. Be glad you don’t work in a factory.
Experience is experience. Showing a credible employer chose you and you stuck it out with them for some time has merit. Over time you may can ask to be a part of special projects and shadow people and meetings. Learn how they talk and conduct themselves. Plus, you can always slap extra stuff on your resume.
welcome to life bud. You’ll be ok
I’m studying political science and my current job is in tech so I do not like it. It’s quite repetitive and management sucks at times. I’ve looked into other office/admin jobs and I’ve had no luck.
Just stay for the title and in a few months start looking into something else.
My wife was at Home Depot until she graduated but after graduation, she got a receptionist job and eventually moved bankruptcy paralegal job in the same firm. She hated it but she held on until she was able to get a job as a Judicial assistant at a local city court.
It gets better, just hold out. Learn all you can and stay just for the title. Sometimes titles are better than experience because you can always modify experience to fit your title.
Welcome to adulthood.
We all feel the same way.
Now you see why college was the best time of your life.
World will not give you your lawyer opportunity, because nobody in this world thinks about you or is interested in your success. People are only here to use you, and pay you enough for you not to leave. If you want a job of your dreams – it’s not making it – it’s taking it. Taking this place from someone, using connections, ripping throats. There is no peaceful way up. Brave ones progress, the ones wanting comfort – still in the same place of being used. Hope this helps you to see how career works
Congrats and welcome to the real world. We all start at the bottom. Humble yourself and work hard
I know what you’re feeling and honestly, just push through it. I had something similar happen when I first started working. I did NOTHING but answer phones for over a month. I asked every single person I could for work and they told me to do online shopping or something to pass time. After a couple of months they saw how much I knew and found a place for me doing much more than answering phones and I got a 25% pay increase within a year. Enjoy the easy work while you can because some days I miss just watching videos and doing nothing.
You are lucky. I am jobless and broke and nobody cares. All my friends had godfathers and now they got jobs. I even borrow two dollars from them because of my situation. I’m applying for jobs, but still contemplating suicide as an alternative option. Also to add, I’m more qualified and hardworking but nature
The thing is, a lot of jobs ARE easier than they make it out to be, and you may get a degree that’s unnecessary for your job/doesn’t seem to make sense why you need it. For instance, my job is customer service at a bank, and there are people here with degrees as well… when most of our job is doing very simple tasks that we do ourselves on a day to day basis (making payments for customers over the phone, telling them their balance, etc etc).
It’s fine. Starting out, they are going to give you basic mundane tasks until you prove proficiency. You know what my first task as an apprentice was? Cleaning out the gang box, organizing material, and then sweeping the work area. You start small.
Give it a few months. I would also ask my supervisor, what does the role responsibilities look like over the next 6 months? I actually ask that in all my interviews… a great question to ask for you next interviews. You seem bright, so I’m assuming this isn’t going to be your last stop in your career.
Just try to stick it out until you can find something better. Other employers like to see other jobs on a resume, doesn’t matter what it is. They don’t like gaps and you will not get a good salary right out of the gate. The first job is always the hardest to get but after it gets a bit easier. Are you planning to build on your degree? Law school?
As my father always told me “never quit a job until you have another job lined up”. I realized he was right after I made that mistake several times. I’d quit in a huff, get mad, burn some popcorn in the microwave and walk off with no new job waiting.
It’s good you’re aware you have drive and know you have capabilities to tackle more. You’re not stuck, you just started. However, there is no harm in continuing your job search. Learn what you can, even if it’s just customer service duties, get some experience and bounce. You might have to sacrifice time to apply to more jobs but it should be used at motivation to find something you want to actually do.
I was in your exact same spot after college (I got a business degree instead). Struggled to get jobs for 6+ months. Got a receptionist gig. Absolutely underpaid and yeah, my ego was hurt. Worst job I’ve ever had but it helped me get experience and move up to another position, then another, then I found out what I really wanted to do, went back to school while working, now I WFH in my dream career. Time moves fast, just take the experience for what it is, a stepping stone and a way to pay your bills.