Stop trying to impress your boss: Avin's guide to your first job

From 100-hour weeks in investment banking to founding Housekeep, Avin Rabheru has learned a thing or two about careers, mistakes and spotting great talent.

For our First Job Fck-Ups* series, we caught up with Avin, founder and CEO of Housekeep, to find out how he started his career, what he'd do differently and what advice he'd give graduates entering the workplace today.

His biggest lesson? Trust is earned, even when the work you're given feels boring.

What was your first job after university?

My first 'proper' job was at Citi, where I started out as an investment banking intern, pulling 100-hour weeks and drinking 12 coffees a day. It was absolutely brutal, but I learnt incredibly fast.

I also had lots of summer and part-time jobs. I did all sorts: washed cars, threw parties, cooked at a nursing home and wrote property descriptions.

What was the biggest mistake you made in your first job?

I think the first fundamental mistake I made was not really grasping the concept of trust.

I now understand that I was often given basic, menial, boring work to prove that I could at least do that.

If you prove you can do that with positivity, high quality and efficiency, then over time you'll be trusted with more valuable, complex and interesting work.

What do you look for on a CV when hiring?

Ability. Can you show that you can deliver results?

We're looking for the best in class in their function. Of course, it varies by function.

A marketer's CV should be well-designed and well-written; a software engineer's CV should talk about what business impact was delivered and how.

The second thing is loyalty. We're looking for people who stick through the difficult times. Can you show you've put in a long, hard stint at at least one firm?

What's your best advice for someone starting their career?

One of my favourite snippets of advice was shared with me early in my career by a managing director at Rothschild, who I was trying to impress.

He said:

"Avin, it's all very well you trying to impress me. However, I'm going to be retired in a few years and those colleagues at your level are the people whose names will keep coming up over the next 50 years. You're better off trying to impress them."

It was excellent advice and a nice put-down to boot.

What's your best book recommendation for someone starting out?

Well, sort of... don't read a book!

You're better off getting as much real-world experience as possible, as fast as possible.

You'll have a successful career if you can learn fast, so you want to undertake activities that increase your rate of learning, thereby accelerating career development.

If you're a newbie, the best way to learn is to get exposed to real-world work quickly.

What's the best thing you were taught by a manager?

A favourite line from a manager was:

"You can ask me any question once. You can ask me the same question again, and I'll assume I didn't explain it. However, if you ask me the same question again, I'll assume you're an idiot."

It was obviously rather blunt, but the point, especially relevant where we're all trying to figure things out together, was to have the confidence and clarity to say you've grasped something, or you haven't.

It makes for better, faster output.

What's the toughest interview question you've asked?

My toughest question is undoubtedly: "Why do you want to work at Housekeep?"

If I'm not satisfied with the answer, I'll keep asking. I think the record is seven times, and that person went on to have a long career here.

The reason, and the benefit, is that if I really understand why you want to work here and what you're getting out of it, I can keep an eye on your career and make sure we're delivering our side of the promise.

What should someone do if they're interested in working at Housekeep?

Tell us!

I really believe hiring is about having a two-way fit. If someone really wants to work at Housekeep, they'll undoubtedly be a success at Housekeep.

From learning to earn trust to making the most of your early career, Avin's experience is a reminder that your first job isn't about knowing everything. It's about showing what you're capable of, learning quickly and building relationships that last.