After a long successful recruitment process, the first day of your new job is a big deal and likely something you’ve been thinking about for a very long time.
So how do you ensure that your first day on the job runs smoothly? It’s important that you make a great first impression, especially if you’re on a probationary period. A slip-up or two could not only put your prospects at the company at risk, but it could even leave you out of favor with your new team and managers.
The great news is we have a number of helpful and easy-to-apply tips that can help you absolutely knock your first day out of the park and into an amazing new chapter in your career:
1. Dress to impress…. again
The interview is not the only place you need to dress the part. In fact, the first day at a new job is as important as setting the precedent for how you’ll appear moving forward. Your style may change a little as you get a feel for the dress code within the workplace. On the first day to be safe, always go for your job interview outfit.
2. Turn up on time
If there is one thing that will definitely cause you a lot of stress on your first day, it is running late for work, as it mightn’t set you off on the best start. Thus, you need to go that extra mile and ensure this doesn’t happen. Set a number of alarms, get a good night’s sleep the night before, set out what you will wear the night before, and travel the route to work in advance of the big day so you know how long it takes.
3. Remember that you deserve to be there
Imposter syndrome (the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills) is extremely common when starting a new job, especially among young people, as you don’t know what you’re doing yet whilst everyone else seems so professional. Don’t worry, this is absolutely normal. However, please be assured that you do deserve to be there, and you were hired because the employer saw some amazing qualities in you. You may not have all the correct answers right now, but that’s expected. Over time you will become just as qualified, able and impressive as everyone else.
4. Ask questions
No question is a stupid question. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you can on your first day. This is the time for you to learn and to make mistakes, not the time to try and look perfect and act like you know what you’re doing. Show them your willingness to learn, and be interested. This will not only ensure that your new work colleagues and managers know you’re enthusiastic, but it will also help you get to grips with the job requirements quicker. It is also a good idea to get to know your co-workers better and to know the unwritten rules in the new workplace. This is also the time to ask questions that you mightn’t ask your manager.
5. Go above and beyond
Show your initiative and impress everybody in your new job by doing more than your job expects of you, be positive, and being a team player from the very beginning. It is about seeing what needs to be done and doing it without being asked. It could be something as small as getting a co-worker a coffee, and as big as suggesting a new project/campaign idea you’re willing to take on.
6. Don’t get involved in any workplace gossip
One of the worst things you can do when starting in a new role is get involved in work gossip, as you could upset someone and make a bad first impression. Granted, it can be tricky to avoid, as there’s bound to be at least one co-worker who will approach you to tell you about all the imperfections of the company, or even to badmouth different staff members. You might even be around when conflicts are mentioned, so you need to keep out of it and give everyone the same warm, courteous greeting whilst you get an idea of office politics.
And there you have it! The six tips and information above will help you make the first day at work the first of many great days to come.