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Ask HN: I just started my first real workday, any tips?

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Re: Ask HN: I just started my first real workday, any tips?

#11

Post by blahbhthrow3748 »

Ask questions and be willing to discuss your thought process with people. Don't be afraid to try and improve things even if they've been like that a long time. Try and find something to work on you're genuinely interested in.

My first job out of school (8 years ago) was a pretty effective springboard. Unfortunately the secret to success was basically to be excessively keen and interested in doing anything and everything. At the time it was fun - I worked too much and I made myself look foolish at times, but I was junior enough that it didn't matter.

Now that I've been around for a couple years and I'm a little more jaded I don't think I could do it again. But if you're very keen I think just being enthusiastic and learning things will get you far.

Re: Ask HN: I just started my first real workday, any tips?

#12

Post by m12k »

petargyurov wrote: post #2

Congrats on starting! One bit of advice I would personally give is to remember that work is just work. You will have responsibilities, deadlines, arguments, critisms and one day you might find yourself anxious and stressed out. When that happens, it's nice to remind yourself that the critical bug or whatever you're working on is meanigless in the grand scheme of things. No matter how passionate you are about your com…

I've found this is easier after changing jobs a couple times. At some point you'll look back at what you did at your previous job, and most likely you'll barely remember exactly what it was or why it was considered important. Certainly nothing to warrant stressing out about it. Realizing that the same will apply to your current job in just a couple years really helps put things into perspective. Looking back, you're much more likely to remember whether you were happy or stressed than any of those details that seem so all-consumingly important right now.

Re: Ask HN: I just started my first real workday, any tips?

#13

Post by hirundo »

Set aside some time at the beginning of each day to buff your tools and skills. Over time these sessions compound like interest and make you wealthier in human capital and a more valuable employee.

I do it for one pomodoro, 25 minutes. For me an example might be installing and learning a new vim addon or scripting a common task or focusing on a tough corner of a programming language. Something useful to the job but not directly making progress on an assignment. This is an easier habit to acquire if you do it from the start, before your routine consolidates.

Re: Ask HN: I just started my first real workday, any tips?

#14

Post by docdeek »

Congrats.

I'd advise you to avoid setting too many goals each day, especially when you are getting up to speed at a new workplace. I like to make a morning checklist of just three things that - if I was to achieve them - I'd finish the day thinking "That was a good day".

Not my original idea but seems to work, and three is a far more manageable number than five. ;)

Re: Ask HN: I just started my first real workday, any tips?

#15

Post by jaaames »

Whatever role you're in, don't underestimate the value of relationships, communication, and soft skills in being able to influence the impact and value of the work you can deliver.

If you can persuade a product manager to drop a bad feature you might be able to ship a more valuable feature at a higher quality.

If you can persuade a procurement office to change a supplier you might be able to ship a better design faster.

If you can get involved in the hiring process you might be able to pick the team you work with.

Always make friends with the admin person, accounting that pays you, and stay on the right side of HR.

Re: Ask HN: I just started my first real workday, any tips?

#18

Post by RhysU »

jaaames wrote: post #15

Whatever role you're in, don't underestimate the value of relationships, communication, and soft skills in being able to influence the impact and value of the work you can deliver. If you can persuade a product manager to drop a bad feature you might be able to ship a more valuable feature at a higher quality. If you can persuade a procurement office to change a supplier you might be able to ship a better design fast…

+1 on knowing the administrative assistants. They run everything.
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