As I mentioned before, my first job helped me face reality and made me realize that company culture affects your values in the workplace, including your work habits and personal development. Of course, some people naively think that as long as you do your own job well, that's enough. But the truth is, work is never that "simple."
However, to truly understand the importance of your first job, you need to reflect on it through your second and third jobs. There was so much I wanted to cover in the next section that it would be hard for everyone to read in one go. So I've split it into a five-part series.
For your first job, it's not just about choosing a good company—it's also about choosing a good manager.
When I was job hunting, I always thought I should focus on company reputation and salary. But honestly, I believe your direct manager matters more than any other factor. A manager who is willing to teach you, whether through strictness or kindness, who can help you grow and adjust your mindset, is the most crucial element on your career path. Everyone needs a good manager.
What makes a good manager can be broken down into three dimensions: first, whether the manager is willing to give subordinates opportunities and act as their backing; second, whether the manager's mindset is progressive or conservative. A good manager truly makes heaven; compared to working under a bad one, it feels like a completely different company.
（1） Does Your Manager Give You Opportunities?
When you enter a company, many people care about promotion mechanisms and chances to stand out. This is where your direct manager's mindset becomes crucial. Some managers worry you'll steal their credit and hold tight to every opportunity to shine, never letting subordinates get ahead. They guard their turf like protecting against outsiders. If you work under such a manager, you'll likely only do labor work, and all your efforts end up as your manager's accomplishment—they take the whole bowl away.
If senior leadership also fails to discern right from wrong, your promotion prospects will face countless obstacles. I've heard of some companies where the promotion list is always the same people, moving from team member to team lead to deputy manager, while the people at the bottom remain team members forever with no changes. This not only breeds resentment among coworkers but also makes subordinates restless, leading them to do work half-heartedly.
But of course, there are good managers who allocate and adjust work based on your personality, interests, and strengths. They're willing to understand you, teach according to your abilities, and even proactively help you understand the entire organization's workflow rather than leaving you like a headless fly, confused and directionless. When you invest time at such a company and work hard for it, it's truly worthwhile.
（2） Will Your Manager Be Your Backing and Help You Climb Higher?
A good manager is pleased to see you grow and is willing to provide maximum support—you're truly fortunate if you have one. Speaking from my own experience, my previous manager was the type who, when you made requests within their capacity, would absolutely help negotiate and stand firm on your behalf, regardless of your seniority.
Everyone envied our department because even outside of work matters, she was willing to be someone you could consult, giving direction like a life mentor. She always said: "Make yourself your priority, don't let others influence you," "Be yourself, and you'll be the best one." That was genuinely so kind!
Of course, I've also encountered unreasonable managers—temperamental, not seeking the truth, only concerned about whether they'd get implicated. When something happens, they make excuses, claiming everything was someone else's doing and they knew nothing. Without the capacity or desire to protect subordinates, they naturally fail to earn respect. You either endure or you leave.
（3） Is Your Manager's Mindset Conservative?
I think conservatism can be viewed positively as caution or negatively as suppression and restraint.
Once, a certain manager of mine said, "Your life should be centered around the company." When he said that, I was really upset inside. He believed we should dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to the company, and that using time to plan our own futures is not as good as working even harder for the company—like how so-and-so works overtime every day or how so-and-so handles company matters even at home.
But ultimately, your life is your own. If your manager has a conservative mindset, you might feel like a slave—you only dare to leave when your manager does; if you don't finish things by staying late, it seems like you lack ability; even if you get seriously ill, you're unwilling to take leave because you fear it will affect your manager's impression of you, your promotions, and raises.
With such demanding managers, I believe it creates an unhealthy atmosphere. Everyone just complies; even when unfair things happen right before your eyes, nobody dares to step up and change things or improve the environment, creating a negative cycle. It's really not good.
【First Job Insights Series—Five Articles Below】
Key Insights from My First Job (Part 2-1): Choose Your Manager Wisely, Not Just the Company
Key Insights from My First Job (Part 2-4): You're Not Omnipotent, Don't Take On Everything
