Five ways to handle feedback in your first job

You've said goodbye to study groups, exams, and weekends clocking time, entering a world of possibility and adulthood. That day-one energy, the meticulously picked outfit, the desire to excel, and the thirst for knowledge; it's all part of it. But after the excitement wears off, you'll be faced with one of the most shaping elements of professional development: learning to accept and react to criticism.

As a new professional, your attitude towards feedback sets the tone for your entire first career journey. Here are seven steps to utilize feedback on your first job with professionalism and intent:

At the start of one's career, understanding how to take feedback positively and take training seriously is the key. Feedback highlights the areas where improvement is needed; treat it as a clear input to help you perform better. Focus, take notes, and apply the shared insights to your work for progress. In today’s work environment, companies expect skilled employees, not just qualified ones. It is important to thoroughly engage with the knowledge shared during training and consistently integrate these learnings into day-to-day responsibilities. Proactively enhance your skill set, as these will remain valuable throughout your career and support your long-term growth.

Half of the fight is receiving feedback. The other half is acting on it. Ask questions to receive details to clarify:

"Do you have a recent example when this problem came up?"
"What would be the better solution?"

"Is there equipment or training that you would suggest that will enable me to do better?"
It shows initiative and informs your manager that you are willing to improve. It also allows you to translate general feedback into tangible action steps.

Making the feedback measurable and actionable is served by making a simple progress report to yourself on a monthly or quarterly basis. The record must explain the feedback that you received, the actual actions that you took as a consequence, and the positive effects that followed. Not only does it have the habit that you can check on your improvement and be faithful to your goals, but it also provides an objective account of your improvement. You can use it at appraisal sessions so you can be in a position to demonstrate initiative and accountability.

Feedback is neither criticism nor a personal assessment of your competence. It is rather feedback on specific behavior or action that you took. Better to take feedback as directed feedback input towards making necessary adjustments and improvements. People with the feedback culture mindset view them as a monitoring of performance. It is organizational culture, and you need to approach it realistically with a view to improving.
Always go to feedback sessions with a positive and open mind, prepared to hear good and constructive criticism without defensiveness.

Effective performance management begins with preparation. From day one, maintain a simple tracker or document to note your key tasks, project milestones, lessons learned, and any challenges faced. This habit not only sharpens your focus but also reflects a disciplined and organized approach to work. Building foundational, role-specific skills early, such as familiarity with key tools, systems, or communication protocols, can significantly reduce the initial learning curve and make feedback more actionable. Regular updates on your progress reflect a commitment to continuous growth, improvement, and alignment with performance standards. Over time, it helps build trust, credibility, and support for sustained professional growth within the organization

Receiving feedback is one of the skills that the new professional should have. Where possible, at the entry level, your capacity to take in, assess, and respond to feedback will push your development at a much quicker pace. Responsive people who can quickly learn in hectic working environments are exceptions, not just because of their capacity but also because they express the aspiration for learning.

Those first few months working are like the base of a skyscraper. Feedback is the blueprint, molding not just your abilities but also your mindset. Whether it's positive attention for your work or constructive criticism on areas of improvement, treat all feedback like a necessary brick in building yourself as a professional. With time, experience, and openness to feedback, you’ll evolve from a fresher into an asset to the company. Let each feedback conversation be a stepping stone toward your best self, refined, resilient, and ready for success.
Ms. Sindhu Girish, Head of Human Resources & Associate Vice President, RuralShores