Day One in a New Job
Day one in a new job
It took you a lot of effort to be here, so make the most of it and enjoy your new working environment. Dress your best. It will make you feel good and your confidence will infect those around you. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to work, and eat a proper breakfast so you’re not looking for an opportunity to dive out and grab something mid-morning.
Remember the qualities that got you the job in the first place. Smile, be positive, make eye contact, greet new colleagues with a firm handshake. It’s a bit like the interview, but this time you’ve got to make a good first impression with many more people. It’s OK to be a little nervous and on your guard at first. You’ll have plenty of time to relax into your new role in the weeks to come.
You’re unlikely to be asked to do any real work on your first day - that will be saved for after your settling in period. Whatever you are asked to do, make sure you give it your all.
Be courteous
This should be a basic attribute anyway, but make sure you don’t accidentally rub anyone up the wrong way on your first day. Everyone you encounter, from the receptionist right up to the big boss, should receive the same impression of you – polite and respectful. Make it your business to introduce yourself, especially if your new manager doesn’t introduce you first. With so much else to organize, they sometimes forget.
Feel free to ask advice. Don’t stand there shuffling your feet if you don’t know where to go or what to do. It may make you appear nervous or standoffish, and you don’t need to start erecting possible barriers on day one.
Go with the flow
Even if you’re already experienced in your role, don’t assume you can simply do what you did before in the same way. While there are probably plenty of skills you can transfer, every workplace has its own way of operating. Keep your eyes and ears open and try to fit in as smoothly as possible. A definite phrase to avoid
It took you a lot of effort to be here, so make the most of it and enjoy your new working environment. Dress your best. It will make you feel good and your confidence will infect those around you. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to work, and eat a proper breakfast so you’re not looking for an opportunity to dive out and grab something mid-morning.
Remember the qualities that got you the job in the first place. Smile, be positive, make eye contact, greet new colleagues with a firm handshake. It’s a bit like the interview, but this time you’ve got to make a good first impression with many more people. It’s OK to be a little nervous and on your guard at first. You’ll have plenty of time to relax into your new role in the weeks to come.
You’re unlikely to be asked to do any real work on your first day - that will be saved for after your settling in period. Whatever you are asked to do, make sure you give it your all.
Be courteous
This should be a basic attribute anyway, but make sure you don’t accidentally rub anyone up the wrong way on your first day. Everyone you encounter, from the receptionist right up to the big boss, should receive the same impression of you – polite and respectful. Make it your business to introduce yourself, especially if your new manager doesn’t introduce you first. With so much else to organize, they sometimes forget.
Feel free to ask advice. Don’t stand there shuffling your feet if you don’t know where to go or what to do. It may make you appear nervous or standoffish, and you don’t need to start erecting possible barriers on day one.
Go with the flow
Even if you’re already experienced in your role, don’t assume you can simply do what you did before in the same way. While there are probably plenty of skills you can transfer, every workplace has its own way of operating. Keep your eyes and ears open and try to fit in as smoothly as possible. A definite phrase to avoid