5 Tips to Prepare You for Your First Day on The Job

After you accept a job offer, you’re probably filled with a sense of relief, and while there’s nothing wrong with basking in your achievement, you also need to start thinking about how to succeed in your new job.

The first days and weeks of any new job are crucial. You need to make a good impression by presenting yourself in a professional manner and hit the ground running. Consider the following five tips on how to prepare for your next first day on the job.

1) Dress appropriately

Dressing properly on the first day shows you are serious about succeeding as a new employee.

Hopefully, you paid attention in the interview stage of what individuals in similar jobs were wearing on the job. If you didn’t catch this detail, it can’t hurt to ask your new manager what attire is appropriate. If you have any doubts, it is always better to try to overdress a bit and adjust moving forward.

2) Get there early (and leave late)

Showing up a bit sooner than your official start time is definitely a good idea if you’re looking to make a good first impression.

To do this, start by determining the route you are going to take and how long it will take to get there. If you arrive a lot sooner than expected, kill some time in a location away from the company. Also, try to be one of the last to leave on your first day. This can allow you to get a sense of end-of-day routines.

3) Be upbeat and confident

Hopefully, you’re feeling a sense of pride after getting the new job, and you should embrace this feeling on your first day, so you can project positivity and confidence.

Shake as many hands as you can. Offer a real smile, and initiate dialogue with your new co-workers. Tell others you are hoping to pitch in as soon as possible and look forward to working with them.

Having a friendly disposition and greeting new co-workers with a smile will help you get noticed. Trying to become ingrained in the culture from the get-go will show you want to be a team player.

4) Be ready to talk shop

You may have done your research and thoroughly impressed your interviewers with your knowledge, but unless your new colleagues sat in on the interview(s), they won’t know your level of working knowledge. While you won’t be expected to know the company shorthand just yet, you should know the essentials of the job, the company and the industry.

5) Be curious

It’s natural to feel intimidated on the first day of a new job, but you shouldn’t let feelings of intimidation keep you from asking questions and paying attention to everything you see and hear. Even if a new colleague is talking about a procedure you’ve done countless times before, it doesn’t hurt to pay attention to what is being said.

Career Concepts is Your Career Partner!

At Career Concepts, we continue to work with people after they’ve started a new job to make their transition as seamless as possible. If you’re currently looking for job search assistance, please contact us today.