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This is a guest post by Lindsey Harper Mac, who specializes in writing about career building and professional development.

With unemployment still in the high single digits, being picky about your first job can seem impractical. However, there are certain job qualities you should lean toward when searching for potential positions. Even if you have been out of work for an extended period of time, it might still be in your best interest to hold out for a job that exhibits the following characteristics, rather than settle for one with no positive prospects. As a young professional, your time is highly valuable and should be used toward gaining professional experience rather than wasted in an unpromising position. To ensure a more fruitful job search, consider the following four areas in your first job.

1. Opportunities to Work with Different People

One of the most valuable lessons you will learn on the job will come from your interaction with professionals in various departments of your work. Having the opportunity to work with people in senior management positions and professionals in technology, sales, finance and other departments can help you get a better idea of how the company functions as a whole. This kind of collective experience within the company might also help you better market your own skills when you want to advance in the company, or in your search for new job opportunities.

2. Potential for Advancement Beyond Your Job Description

One of the worst mistakes you can make when beginning your career is getting into what’s known as a “dead-end job.” A dead-end job offers no opportunity for progression or advancement within the company, which can become frustrating and provide little motivation to work to the best of your abilities. When searching for your first job, look specifically for jobs that give you the opportunity to try new things and work your way up the corporate ladder.

3. Tuition Reimbursement

If you have always wanted to extend your education but feel discouraged by the high price of college tuition, you should look for jobs that offer tuition reimbursement. Working for a company with tuition reimbursement can allow you to gain experience in your field and to develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your industry. To balance both educational and career responsibilities, consider online education alternatives to study according to your own schedule.

4. A Manager Invested in Your Success

Although some managers may stray from their role as a mentor to the position of a dictator, you can also find managers who genuinely care about your success on the job, and who will actively strive to provide you with the tools and instruction you need to perform on an outstanding level. When searching for a job, look for managers who offer guidance and advice to new employees, work to ensure quicker understanding of the tasks involved, and encourage a greater opportunity for advancement within your career. Generally, you will want to look for a manager who treats his or her employees as apprentices rather than just workers below him or her.

When reflecting on these concepts, you will find that not a single one was focused on money. Although your salary should play an important role in whether or not you will stick with a job, it shouldn’t be quite as important for professionals who are newly entering the field. Focus on developing yourself as a professional first, and then you will earn the right to be selective about your salary.

Lindsey Harper Mac specializes in writing about education, professional and personal development, and career building. She writes on behalf of Colorado Technical University.

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