Things we wish we knew before entering the workforce, from actual Gen Zs to another

Starting your first job is a whirlwind of excitement, fear, and an overwhelming desire to prove yourself. As fresh Gen Z entrants to the workforce, we get it — all too well. Navigating your first real paycheck (hello, adult money), trying not to mess up, and figuring out how to actually thrive in your role? It’s a lot. That’s why we’re laying down some unfiltered truths, lessons learned, and advice we wish someone had given us.

Disclaimer: Yes, our boss did ask us to write this. And no, we’re not getting sued for it.

1. Confidence is your superpower

We’ve all heard it before — fake it till you make it. And as much as it sounds like a cliche, there’s truth to it. You may not have all the answers on day one (or even day 100), but showing up with confidence sends the message that you’re dependable, accountable, and ready to learn.

The people who get trusted with bigger, better projects aren’t always the most experienced — they’re often the ones who seem the most self-assured. Confidence builds trust. And trust builds opportunity.

2. Own your worth

There’s a difference between being good at your job and being great. Good is delivering what’s expected. Great is delivering while also advocating for your boundaries, asking for reasonable timelines, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Standing up for yourself doesn’t make you difficult — it shows self-respect. And that’s not just important for your well-being, it’s what makes you a sustainable, long-term contributor.

Unfortunately, experiences like these are common — dealing with unrealistic expectations or feeling pressured to be constantly available can take a serious toll. It’s easy to stay quiet out of fear of seeming ungrateful or difficult, especially early in your career. But learning to speak up, even when it feels uncomfortable, is a crucial part of owning your worth. Setting boundaries isn’t about slacking off — it’s about creating space to do your best work while protecting your mental well-being.

3. Relationships drive your career

You could be the most efficient, high-performing employee on the team — but if you don’t have good chemistry with the people around you, work can feel isolating. Strong bonds with your colleagues can turn your 9 to 5 into something you actually enjoy showing up for.

Plus, when you build trust with your team, flexibility and empathy come a lot easier — whether it’s negotiating time off, managing your workload, or just surviving a rough day.

4. Not all feedback is fair or useful

As entry-level workers or interns at the bottom of the corporate food chain, it’s only natural and, in fact, expected for us to want to hear feedback in order to learn and grow. Team huddles, one-on-ones, and discussions about your work can help give direction and concrete next steps. 

But let’s be real, not all feedback can or should be taken into consideration — some of it won’t apply or be useful to you, while others might just be plain old unsavoury comments masquerading as “advice”.

It might take time and practice, but discernment is key when it comes to filtering feedback and comments from colleagues.

5. Sometimes you’ll feel invisible — but it’s probably not on purpose

Entering the workforce as a Gen Z amongst older, more experienced colleagues who’ve had years to build rapport with one another means you get familiar with being overlooked. It’s not like it’s done on purpose, but you might find yourself in awkward situations where people may talk around you, forget your name, or even forget that you work there altogether (true story). 

While it’s mostly harmless, the real trouble comes when your voice isn’t heard on important projects or given recognition when credit is due. 

Again, the onus is on us to be seen and make our voices heard.

6. Not every day will be “meaningful” — but you’ll learn to appreciate it

That euphoric feeling of finally finishing up a dreaded report or flawlessly delivering a client presentation is undeniable. You get to see your blood, sweat, and tears amount to tangible positive results, and you’ll feel like you’ve made a huge difference. 

But on other less eventful days, you might find yourself wishing you were anywhere but the office. Menial tasks suddenly become difficult, and the day becomes about checking off boxes on a checklist. 

Although it might feel like you’re accomplishing nothing, you’ll come to realise that days like these are normal and part of any healthy, balanced work-life routine. In fact, any small effort you make today will pay off in the long run. 

So don’t feel down when you face a lull — you might just hope days like these come back when you’re swamped.