A First Job That Actually Sets You Up
Most first jobs? You'll spend 12 months making slides no one remembers. Then you're back on LinkedIn, still not sure what you're actually good at.
We think your first job should do more than that.
We think your first job should do more than that.
If you're early in your career, you're probably asking yourself a quiet but important question:
"If I give the next 12–18 months to this place, who will I become?"
This page is our honest answer to that.
"If I give the next 12–18 months to this place, who will I become?"
This page is our honest answer to that.
Where This Starts
You don't need to have it all figured out. Almost no one does when they start.
You arrive curious. Maybe unsure. Maybe ambitious. Maybe still figuring out what you want.
That's completely okay.
What matters more is whether you want to learn how to think clearly, solve real problems, and take responsibility for outcomes — not just check boxes on a task list.
You arrive curious. Maybe unsure. Maybe ambitious. Maybe still figuring out what you want.
That's completely okay.
What matters more is whether you want to learn how to think clearly, solve real problems, and take responsibility for outcomes — not just check boxes on a task list.
If that sounds like the kind of growth you're looking for, keep reading.
Your First Few Months
In the beginning, your job isn't to impress anyone.
It's to observe, ask questions, and start building clarity.
Here's what that actually looks like:
You'll see how decisions get made — not just what the final decision was. You'll understand the "why" before you execute the "what."
You'll write things down. A lot. Because clear writing = clear thinking, and we'll help you get there.
You'll get feedback early and often. Sometimes gentle, sometimes direct. Always meant to help you grow.
We don't expect you to be confident on day one. We do expect you to show up ready to learn.
Over the first few weeks, we're not measuring your output. We're watching whether you're becoming a little sharper, a little clearer, a little more thoughtful than when you started.
It's to observe, ask questions, and start building clarity.
Here's what that actually looks like:
You'll see how decisions get made — not just what the final decision was. You'll understand the "why" before you execute the "what."
You'll write things down. A lot. Because clear writing = clear thinking, and we'll help you get there.
You'll get feedback early and often. Sometimes gentle, sometimes direct. Always meant to help you grow.
We don't expect you to be confident on day one. We do expect you to show up ready to learn.
Over the first few weeks, we're not measuring your output. We're watching whether you're becoming a little sharper, a little clearer, a little more thoughtful than when you started.
And here's the thing: Everyone feels a bit lost at first. That confusion you're feeling? That's not a sign you're failing. That's a sign you're learning something new.
We've seen people arrive nervous, make mistakes in week two, ask "dumb" questions in week three (spoiler: there are no dumb questions), and by week eight start connecting dots we didn't expect.
The early stumbles are part of it. We're watching for whether you pick yourself up and try again, not whether you get everything right the first time.
The early stumbles are part of it. We're watching for whether you pick yourself up and try again, not whether you get everything right the first time.
How We Actually Support You
We believe a good first job should be kind, but not vague.
Here's what we take responsibility for:
Here's what we take responsibility for:
- Giving you exposure to work you probably haven't seen before
- Teaching you to think from first principles, not just follow templates
- Explaining context instead of just handing you tasks
- Creating space for you to learn, unlearn, and ask "why"
- Being honest with you — early and clearly — about what's working and what needs work
That last one matters.
Every 6 weeks, we sit down and talk. Not annual reviews where you find out too late. Not vague "you're doing great!" check-ins. Real conversations about what's working and what isn't.
You won't waste a year wondering if you're on track. You'll always know where you stand.
Not because we enjoy difficult conversations, but because your time and career actually matter. If something needs to change, you deserve to know early enough to do something about it.
And if you're struggling with something? We're not going to immediately pull the plug. We're going to work with you on it. That's what the 6-week rhythm is for — course correction, not judgment.
Every 6 weeks, we sit down and talk. Not annual reviews where you find out too late. Not vague "you're doing great!" check-ins. Real conversations about what's working and what isn't.
You won't waste a year wondering if you're on track. You'll always know where you stand.
Not because we enjoy difficult conversations, but because your time and career actually matter. If something needs to change, you deserve to know early enough to do something about it.
And if you're struggling with something? We're not going to immediately pull the plug. We're going to work with you on it. That's what the 6-week rhythm is for — course correction, not judgment.
What We Can't Do For You
There are a few things no company can carry for you.
We can teach you a lot: how to think clearly, make decisions, own outcomes, navigate ambiguity.
The one thing we can't teach? Caring about getting better.
We can create opportunities. But you have to want to take them.
We can create a platform where effort compounds. But we can't do the compounding for you.
Here's what we're okay with:
Slow starts. Questions. Mistakes. Learning curves. Struggling with something for a bit before it clicks.
Here's what we're not okay with:
You staying the same person in month 12 that you were in month 1.
Look — growth isn't linear. Some weeks you'll feel like you're crushing it. Other weeks you'll feel stuck. That's normal. We're not expecting you to level up every single day.
We can teach you a lot: how to think clearly, make decisions, own outcomes, navigate ambiguity.
The one thing we can't teach? Caring about getting better.
We can create opportunities. But you have to want to take them.
We can create a platform where effort compounds. But we can't do the compounding for you.
Here's what we're okay with:
Slow starts. Questions. Mistakes. Learning curves. Struggling with something for a bit before it clicks.
Here's what we're not okay with:
You staying the same person in month 12 that you were in month 1.
Look — growth isn't linear. Some weeks you'll feel like you're crushing it. Other weeks you'll feel stuck. That's normal. We're not expecting you to level up every single day.
What we're looking for is the overall trajectory. Are you more capable in month 6 than month 1? Are you asking better questions? Are you taking more ownership?
That's what matters.
As You Actually Grow
Over time, your role shifts.
You move from helping on tasks to owning real outcomes end-to-end.
What that looks like in practice:
You move from helping on tasks to owning real outcomes end-to-end.
What that looks like in practice:
- Maybe you own customer onboarding for a new product feature
- Maybe you run the research and recommendation for a vendor decision
- Maybe you design and implement a new internal process from scratch
- Maybe you identify why something isn't working and propose the fix
You'll be trusted to make decisions — sometimes before you feel fully ready. (And yes, that will feel uncomfortable at first. That's the point. You learn by doing, not by waiting until you feel 100% confident.)
You'll hit moments where things aren't clear, plans change, or pressure shows up.
Those moments aren't failures. They're where you learn how real work actually happens.
Here's what support looks like at this stage:
We're not going to swoop in and do it for you. But we're also not going to throw you in the deep end and walk away.
You'll have someone to talk through your approach with. Someone who'll point out what you might be missing. Someone who'll let you make the call, but will be there if you need to course-correct.
Think of it less like "sink or swim" and more like "here's the pool, we're right here on the deck, now show us what you've got."
What we care about is whether you're becoming:
You'll hit moments where things aren't clear, plans change, or pressure shows up.
Those moments aren't failures. They're where you learn how real work actually happens.
Here's what support looks like at this stage:
We're not going to swoop in and do it for you. But we're also not going to throw you in the deep end and walk away.
You'll have someone to talk through your approach with. Someone who'll point out what you might be missing. Someone who'll let you make the call, but will be there if you need to course-correct.
Think of it less like "sink or swim" and more like "here's the pool, we're right here on the deck, now show us what you've got."
What we care about is whether you're becoming:
- More independent in how you think
- More focused on outcomes, not just activity
- More aware of the actual value your work creates
That transformation matters way more to us than speed or titles.
12–18 Months Later
If you've done this well, something shifts.
You don't just know more facts. You see problems differently.
The change looks like this:
You don't just know more facts. You see problems differently.
The change looks like this:
Month 1:
"What should I do next?"
Month 12:
"What problem are we actually trying to solve?"
Month 1:
"What should I do next?"
Month 12:
"What problem are we actually trying to solve?"
Month 1:
"What should I do next?"
Month 12:
"What problem are we actually trying to solve?"
Month 1:
"What should I do next?"
Month 12:
"What problem are we actually trying to solve?"
Month 1:
"What should I do next?"
Month 12:
"What problem are we actually trying to solve?"
When you interview somewhere else one day, this is what people notice first — even before they look at your resume.
Not that you worked at Xempla. But how you think and work.
The way you break down problems. The questions you ask. The confidence (without arrogance) in how you approach uncertainty.
That's what we're building.
Not that you worked at Xempla. But how you think and work.
The way you break down problems. The questions you ask. The confidence (without arrogance) in how you approach uncertainty.
That's what we're building.
Staying or Leaving — Both Can Be Wins
We'd love for you to build your career with Xempla.
But that's not the only successful outcome here.
If your path takes you somewhere else, our goal is that you leave feeling confident, prepared, and proud of what you built here.
We talk about "Work of Our Life" at Xempla.
That doesn't mean this has to be the work you do forever. It means this experience should move you closer to finding the work that actually fits you.
If that work is here — amazing.
If it's somewhere else — we want you ready for it.
But that's not the only successful outcome here.
If your path takes you somewhere else, our goal is that you leave feeling confident, prepared, and proud of what you built here.
We talk about "Work of Our Life" at Xempla.
That doesn't mean this has to be the work you do forever. It means this experience should move you closer to finding the work that actually fits you.
If that work is here — amazing.
If it's somewhere else — we want you ready for it.
And if things aren't working out?
We'll have that conversation honestly and early. If we both realize at month 6 or 9 that this isn't the right fit, we're not going to drag it out or surprise you at month 12.
We'll talk about it. We'll give you time to figure out your next step. We'll provide a reference that speaks to what you did learn and where you did grow.
A mismatch isn't a failure. It's just information.
A mismatch isn't a failure. It's just information.
One Honest Thing Before You Decide
This environment isn't for everyone.
If you need:
If you need:
- Rigid structure
- Step-by-step instructions for everything
- Predictable routines
- Someone to constantly motivate you
This might feel uncomfortable.
If you want:
If you want:
- Real ownership
- The chance to grow faster than most early-career paths allow
- Honest feedback (even when it's hard to hear)
- Work that actually compounds your skills
This might feel exactly right.
Both reactions are completely valid.
The only bad outcome is figuring out the mismatch six months too late.
Both reactions are completely valid.
The only bad outcome is figuring out the mismatch six months too late.
Real Talk: What You're Probably Wondering
"What if I'm not good enough?"
Look, if we bring you in, it's because we think you can do this. We're not setting you up to fail. We're betting on your potential, not your current skill level.
"What if I make mistakes?"
You will. Everyone does. We'd rather you try something, mess up, and learn than play it so safe you never stretch yourself.
"What if I'm slower to figure things out than others?"
Some people click with things faster. Some take a bit longer but go deeper. We care about your trajectory, not whether you're the fastest.
"What if the 6-week check-in is bad?"
Then we talk about it. Maybe you need more support in a specific area. Maybe your approach needs adjusting. Maybe you're being too hard on yourself and you're actually doing fine. The check-in is a conversation, not a performance review where we tally up your score.
"Is this going to be constantly stressful?"
No. There will be moments of pressure, sure. But most days are pretty normal. You'll have work you can dig into, people to collaborate with, and space to think. It's not a pressure cooker. It's a place where you're expected to grow, which sometimes feels uncomfortable, but it's not chaos.
If This Resonates
If you're reading this thinking, "This sounds demanding, but meaningful" — let's talk.
If you're thinking, "I'm not sure this is for me" — that clarity is just as valuable.
If you're thinking, "I'm not sure this is for me" — that clarity is just as valuable.
Ready to reach out?
workofourlife@xempla.ioInclude three things:
1. One thing you've built (doesn't have to be fancy — a project, a side thing, something you're proud of)
2. One hard thing you've learned recently
3. One problem you want to get better at solving
Join Xempla1. One thing you've built (doesn't have to be fancy — a project, a side thing, something you're proud of)
2. One hard thing you've learned recently
3. One problem you want to get better at solving
Don't overthink it. We're not looking for perfection. We're looking for people who are thoughtful about their own growth.
Still thinking about it?
That's cool too. Save this page. Send it to a friend and ask what they think. Come back when you're ready.
That's cool too. Save this page. Send it to a friend and ask what they think. Come back when you're ready.
Either way, thanks for taking the time to think seriously about your first few years of work.
We know this isn't 2019. The job market feels different. The pressure to "figure it out" is real. There's a lot of noise about AI, about what skills matter, about whether entry-level jobs even exist anymore.
Your first job matters more than most people admit.We're trying to make it count.
We know this isn't 2019. The job market feels different. The pressure to "figure it out" is real. There's a lot of noise about AI, about what skills matter, about whether entry-level jobs even exist anymore.
Your first job matters more than most people admit.We're trying to make it count.
Xempla · Work of Our Life
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