First things first, let's take a quick look at what not to do when applying for credit cards.

Don't sign up for a credit card just because they're giving away a free t-shirt or some other kind of trinket just for your application. Getting free stuff is fun, but these card offers usually end up being terrible deals for the applicant.

Don't apply recklessly for any and all credit card offers you might receive in the mail or see online or elsewhere. Applying for more than one credit card in any given period of time is a surefire way to severely damage your credit rating, making it really difficult to get any good credit card deal at all.

So now that we've gotten those out of the way, it's time to consider the single most important aspect to keep in mind as you apply for your first credit card...

Be Aware and Make an Educated Decision

By staying in complete control of the credit card application process from start to finish, you'll not only end up with the credit card that's best for your circumstances, but also increase your chances of being approved for any credit card at all. Here are the basic steps of applying for your first credit card:

Research - This means going online or checking out current articles from reputable financial magazines in order to find a handful of highly rated credit cards that match your specific needs. Bonus points go to the cards geared towards those just getting their credit history started.

Compare - Now that you've targeted a list of cards that look like they'd work best for you, write them down side-by-side in a list along with the interest rates, fees, and any bonuses or rewards they offer. Doing this will help you visualize the offers and narrow down the list even further.

Apply - Now that you've chosen the very single best offer, go ahead and complete the application process. Again, only apply for one credit card at a time. This means waiting at least until you've received a reply from your first pick before moving down your list to the next option.

A Few More Words to the Wise

Getting approved is not always as easy as it appears, especially for first time credit card applicants. Don't be discouraged. If you receive prequalified credit card offers via the mail, they're often quickly and easily approved. The same thing is true for students applying for student credit cards - it's much easier to get approved at this time than it is even right after college.

Your chances of getting approved are much greater if you follow these simple steps on how to apply for your first credit card. Best of luck!