Tips for Success at Your New Job

Our young adult years bring on a number of “firsts.” From renting a car to purchasing our first home, these years take on a new meaning, and for many—a new career. Although the perception of most Gen Z and Millennials in the workforce is that we have no idea what we’re doing, these tips will help you rise above the stereotype and make your supervisor think you are pretty boss yourself.

The Interview.
Job interviews can be nerve-racking—we get it. But here are a few pieces of advice that might help take the edge off (and give you an edge over the competition):

First Impressions – This may seem obvious to some, but… dress professionally. If you don’t know what to wear, it’s okay to ask what the usual attire is. Also, even though your interview may not start on time, there’s a one hundred percent chance they’ll be making note of what time you arrive, so get there early. If you can’t even show up on time for your interview, what makes them think you won’t be late for work everyday? (More on this later.)

What NOT to Say – Although most of us have spent a lot of time worrying about what to say, learning what NOT to say in an interview is equally important. While asking your interviewer, “How much vacation do I get?” or “What time do I have to be here?” are valid questions when receiving a job offer, asking them during your interview shows that you’re already focused on doing as little work as possible. Another popular line some candidates think they should actually say is, “So, why should I come and work for YOU?” Please, please no. Even though some “baller” on the internet might’ve told you this will “show them your worth”—it just comes across as arrogance. The Apostle Paul tells us this: “ …Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3, NLT). Confidence is great, but thinking you are above any job is a great way not to get hired for one.

Characters at The Office.
Congratulations! You got the job and have made it through a dis-orienting orientation. Now, it’s time to meet your co-workers. Even though your office probably won’t feature a Creed or Dwight Schrute (hopefully), there’s a good chance you’ll still work with a few “characters.” Here are a few to look out for:

The Gossip – Is there someone always anxious to give you the “scoop” about everyone at the office? Though you may have made a new friend, you might not have made a good one. Even though it’s tempting, don’t take part in the gossip. The Old Testament book of Proverbs speaks extensively about gossip and slander: “Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander” (Proverbs 17:4, NLT). Not only does the Bible repeatedly caution against this kind of behavior, but it’s also a good thing to avoid if you’re wanting to move up the org chart. Most leadership roles require handling confidential information. If you have a reputation as someone who is always cutting others down, you’re demonstrating that you probably won’t be the kind of leader who can build them up.

The “That is NOT My Job” Guy – I once worked with a guy whose nickname was “Bear.” He wasn’t a particularly big man, so the name never quite made sense to me. It wasn’t until I asked around that I realized his co-workers had given him the name “Bare Minimum.” (I don’t think he ever realized that’s what they meant.) There’s a good chance that at some point in your career, you will probably have to pick up the slack for someone else. Taking on a burden that isn’t your own can be frustrating, but it’s also a great opportunity to emulate what Jesus has done for us. Instead of being the guy (or girl) who pushes work off on someone else, be the kind of Christ-follower who looks for ways to serve people around you (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:28‬). Remember, something doesn’t have to be your fault to be your responsibility.

Your Boss – Maybe you have a great boss! (Celebrate them!) Or maybe you clock out everyday in frustration at something they did or didn’t do. I am not going to try to convince you that your boss is always right (although sometimes they will be). What I can tell you is that their behavior, good or bad, stems from a deeply-rooted problem: They’re human. Okay, I get it. Not exactly the answer you were looking for, especially since the thought of working another week for them gives you the Sunday Scaries. But God’s Word has a lot to say about how we should treat our leaders. The author of Hebrews says this: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority… Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (Hebrews 13:17, NIV). Our leaders are accountable to God; therefore, refusing to submit to their authority is actually refusing to submit to His authority. Instead, we should pray for our leaders, even when they make us angry. Remember, every boss on earth has a boss in heaven. 

Putting in Work.
Having success in your job can be attributed to multiple factors, but many are entirely in your control. Here are just a few:

Show Up on Time – I told you we’d come back to it! The occasional traffic jam or alarm clock malfunction will come up, but habitually showing up late for work everyday doesn’t communicate that your life is “crazy”—it says that you really don’t care. Be one of the first to arrive, and/or one of the last to leave. You have no IDEA how far being ten minutes early for work will take you!

Earn, Don’t Expect – We live in a culture that expects everything of everyone, but believes that very little should be expected of us. The trophies for the losing soccer team didn’t do our generation any favors, but the real world isn’t going to go easy on us. Your employer will NOT celebrate you just for being you. Period. However, most employers WILL celebrate you for working hard at your job. Don’t ask or “demand” a raise—earn one. Entitlement in no way, shape, or form imitates Jesus. Develop the kind of work ethic and people skills that make you irreplaceable to any organization. Even if you don’t stay at that job forever, there’s a good chance you might receive a better offer somewhere else—followed by a generous counter-offer to keep you.

Work Like it Matters (It Does) – Even though we may wish it wasn’t a part of our daily lives—work was God’s idea. He took great and intentional care forming the universe into existence (Genesis 1-2) and didn’t rest until the seventh day. Though we could never work in a fraction of the ways that God does, we should desire to become more like Him. Our nine-to-five may feel meaningless at times, but it’s the way we work that has an opportunity to make a Kingdom impact. Not to mention… even Jesus worked. It’s hard for me to believe those tables He built as a carpenter were anything but perfect.

World’s Greatest Boss.
Every day, ALL of us have the opportunity to bring Jesus to work with us. There will be many days our jobs will leave us feeling tired, confused, frustrated—and even burned out. However, the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV).

Your value to your employer is in your work ethic. But your value to God is in Jesus. My prayer is that you will faithfully serve both with everything you have this week.

And look like a boss while doing it.