Starting your career can feel like one long series of unanswered questions.

How do you get hired when every job asks for experience? Should you be networking? How many jobs should you apply to every day? Is it better to work at a startup or a big company? What if you choose the wrong first job?

Most people graduate believing everyone else has the answers. The truth is that almost nobody does. Everyone is figuring it out in real time, and the people who eventually find great careers usually aren't the ones with perfect plans. They're the ones who keep moving.

The biggest takeaway is that your career isn't built through one perfect decision. It's built through hundreds of small decisions that compound over time.

Your First Job Doesn't Define Your Career

One of the biggest sources of anxiety early in your career is the belief that your first job has to be the right job.

It doesn't.

A first job is a starting point, not a life sentence.

Too many people treat accepting their first offer as if they're choosing what they'll do for the next forty years. In reality, careers today look very different than they did a generation ago.

Younger professionals change roles, explore new industries, and build careers that evolve over time rather than following one straight path. Research from Pew Research Center shows that younger workers are changing jobs more frequently than previous generations, making career pivots more common than ever.

As I put it:

"Your first job is not your end all be all."

That's one of the most freeing ideas you can accept.

Your first role gives you experience. It teaches you how companies work, how to communicate professionally, what kind of environment you enjoy, and just as importantly, what you don't enjoy. Even realizing you dislike a job is valuable because it points you toward something better. If you're preparing for interviews before you land that first opportunity, 7 Lessons That’ll Actually Help You Stand Out in a Job Interview is a great place to start.

Experience Is About How You Tell Your Story

Almost everyone asks the same question when they're applying for their first job.

How am I supposed to get hired if I don't have experience?

The answer is that you probably have more relevant experience than you think.

Employers aren't only looking for previous job titles. They're looking for evidence that you can solve problems, communicate, lead projects, learn quickly, and work with other people. Those skills can come from internships, student organizations, class projects, volunteer work, athletics, part-time jobs, or personal projects.

The important part is learning how to connect those experiences into a story.

As I explain in the episode:

"It's all about your positioning. It's all about how you talk about yourself."

Every experience you've had has taught you something. Your job is to explain why those experiences prepare you for the opportunity you're pursuing now. Hiring managers remember people who communicate clearly and confidently far more than people who simply list responsibilities on a résumé.

Networking Isn't About Asking For A Job

Networking has developed a bad reputation because many people think it means asking strangers for favors.

The best networking conversations don't work that way.

They're opportunities to learn.

Talk to people about how they got started. Ask what surprised them about their careers. Learn what they wish they knew when they were your age. The more conversations you have, the more patterns you'll begin to notice.

Those conversations also create opportunities you could never predict. Someone may remember your name months later when a role opens. Another person may introduce you to someone else. Even if nothing immediate happens, you've expanded your network and learned something valuable.

One simple question can also keep the momentum going after every conversation:

"Is there anyone else you think I should talk to?"

One introduction often leads to another.

Career experts at Harvard Business Review have consistently emphasized that strong professional relationships are one of the biggest drivers of long-term career growth. Networking isn't about collecting contacts. It's about learning from people who have already walked the path you're trying to navigate.

Landing a job is only the beginning. Building meaningful relationships once you're there is just as important, which is why The Secret To Standing Out At Work is worth reading after you've accepted an offer.

Consistency Wins The Job Search

Job searching is frustrating because the results rarely happen immediately.

Applications disappear into the void.

Emails go unanswered.

Interviews don't become offers.

It's easy to think nothing is working.

But career searches are usually a numbers game combined with persistence.

Create a system. Keep track of the companies you've applied to, who you've contacted, and when you've followed up. Spend time every day applying, reaching out, and improving your materials.

Sites like LinkedIn Jobs make it easier to discover new opportunities, research companies, and identify employees you can reach out to before submitting an application.

Momentum matters more than perfection.

You don't need to apply to a hundred jobs in one afternoon. You need to keep showing up tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that.

Rejection Doesn't Mean You're Failing

Every job seeker gets rejected.

The people who eventually succeed aren't the ones who avoid rejection. They're the ones who refuse to let rejection stop them.

One idea has become a guiding principle for me:

"Rejection is redirection."

That doesn't mean rejection feels good.

It doesn't.

But every opportunity that doesn't work out creates room for one that fits better. Sometimes you only realize why something didn't happen after something even better comes along.

If you can hold onto that perspective, it becomes much easier to keep applying, keep interviewing, and keep believing in yourself.

Startup Or Big Company?

There isn't one correct answer.

Large companies usually provide more structure, defined responsibilities, and established training. Startups typically offer broader responsibilities, faster learning, and more opportunities to take ownership early in your career.

Neither path is universally better.

The better question is which environment matches how you learn best right now.

Some people thrive when expectations are clearly defined. Others love solving problems that don't have obvious answers. Both experiences can make you a better professional, and many people spend time in both environments over the course of their careers.

You're Allowed To Change Your Mind

One of the healthiest things you can do early in your career is give yourself permission to evolve.

The version of you graduating college isn't the same version that will exist five years from now.

Your interests will change.

Your strengths will become clearer.

Your priorities will shift.

That's normal.

Your career should evolve alongside you.

If your first role isn't the right fit, you've learned something valuable. If it is, even better. Either way, you're moving forward. If you're feeling stuck in a role that no longer fits, What Should I Do If I Hate My Job but Don't Know What's Next? explores how to make your next move without feeling like you have your entire future mapped out.

The goal isn't to have your entire life figured out today.

The goal is simply to keep taking the next step.

And Here's The Thing

No one begins their career with all the answers.

Everyone feels underqualified at some point. Everyone questions whether they're making the right choice. Everyone worries about falling behind.

The people who build meaningful careers aren't necessarily the smartest or the luckiest. They're the ones who stay curious, keep learning, continue putting themselves out there, and trust that each experience is preparing them for whatever comes next.

If you're in the middle of your first job search, considering a career change, or wondering what your next move should be, remember this: you don't have to have your entire career figured out today. You just need to keep moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get a job with no experience?

Focus on your transferable skills and explain how your past experiences prepare you for the role you're applying for.

How many jobs should I apply to every day?

Aim for five to ten quality applications each day while staying consistent with networking and follow-ups.

Do networking calls actually help you get a job?

Yes. They help you learn, grow your network, and often lead to opportunities you wouldn't have found otherwise.

Should I work at a startup or a big company?

Big companies offer more structure, while startups provide broader experience and faster learning. Choose the environment that fits you best.

Will my first job determine the rest of my career?

No. Your first job is a starting point, not a permanent path, and you can always pivot as your interests evolve.

How do I stay motivated during a long job search?

Focus on the actions you can control, stay consistent, and remember that rejection is part of the process.