Start a New Job

Many peoples’ gut reaction is to get a new outfit for the first day at work. You want to look sharp when you show up but, buying a new suit is usually the wrong approach.

You’re going to be dealing with enough newness on your first day, so—unless you literally have nothing that fits the bill—go with an old standard when it comes to your clothes. Think of something simple and professional that you feel confident in, and set it out the night before so you don’t have to think about it the next morning.

Don’t Pack a Lunch

Even if you plan on bringing your own most days, on your first day, you want to come prepared to use your lunch hour for professional socializing.

There’s a chance your manager will take you out to lunch your first day, but if he or she doesn’t, going out to grab a bite with your co-workers is the perfect way to start to get to know them. And if everyone in your office does pack a lunch? Make friends with your cubicle-mate by seeing if they want to go out to eat with you anyway: “Hey! I totally forgot my lunch at home this morning. Want to save yours for tomorrow and grab a bite with me close by? My treat!”

All that being said, you should pack some small snacks: an apple, some almonds, or a granola bar. Maybe even slip in some of your favorite candy to help get you through the hours of reading on-boarding documents that are likely ahead of you.!

Come Prepped with Your Best Small Talk

You’re going to meet a lot of new people on your first day. There’s nothing worse than meeting your new team and having nothing to say after, “So nice to meet you!”

So, prepare for it! Hopefully the conversation will flow easily in the few minutes you have in the break room with your new co-workers, but in case it doesn’t, have a few ideas in the back of your mind. Think up a couple of your favorite conversation starters. Catch up on the latest news or celebrity gossip so you can pitch in if your colleagues are gabbing about that. Maybe even watch the latest episode of your favorite TV show in case your co-workers are also fans.

Don’t Plan to Get There on Time

You should never plan on getting to the office on time on your first day. You should plan to get there extra, extra early. As in, half an hour early. This is smart for a few reasons. You’ll have plenty of buffer time if the subway is running behind, if you sorely underestimated how much traffic there would be on your commute, or if you forget something important at home. Strutting into the office five or 10 minutes before the start of the day gives a stellar first impression, hinting to your boss that you’re likely to go above and beyond expectations.

Getting to your office early not only lets you walk in on time, but it gives you a chance to be cool, calm, and collected when you do. Arriving early, you can spend a few minutes in your car or at the coffee shop checking your hair, making sure you’re not sweating from schlepping it on public transportation, and mentally preparing yourself for the day. Spend a few minutes writing down what you hope to accomplish your first day on the job. By the time it’s actually time to head to work, you’ll be set to go.

Remember Why You Took the Job in the First Place

Before you go to bed the night before your first day, take a few minutes to remember why you accepted this new job. Then, when, everything isn’t what you expected it to be, or you feel like you’ll never make it up the steep learning curve ahead of you, you can return to that reason and remind yourself why you’re doing this.

The First Day at a New Job

Kim Costa

https://www.snagajob.com/resources/faq-for-your-first-day-at-a-new-job/

Starting a new job can be intimidating. Here are some common questions we have been seeing from hired members about to start their new jobs:

What should I wear?

Your employer should have given you this information prior to your start date. If they did not, think back to your interview and try to remember what everyone was wearing. You don’t want to show up on your first day in ripped jeans when everyone else is in suits! Remember, it is better to be overdressed than under-dressed. If you aren’t exactly sure and don’t have a uniform, step up your game a little. Your first impression with your boss and coworkers is important.

However, it is recommended against taking this too far. You don’t want to be remembered as the weird guy who showed up in a tux on their first day.

Where should I park?

If you don’t know whether or not there is an employee parking lot, your best bet would be to part in the back of the parking lot. You want to leave the spots in the front for customers. If you are nervous about this, it’s okay to call your supervisor and ask.

How am I expected to remember everyone’s name?

No one will blame you if you can’t remember each name of every person that works with you. However, make it a point to memorize the name of your supervisor and at least three people you work closest with. Of course, if you are working somewhere were name tags are required, this shouldn’t be an issue :).

If you are determined to get everyone’s name down by the first week, turn it into a game. Pick an attribute of your coworker andweave it into their name. For example –

blonde Brandy or hyper Hank. Taking notes is always a safe way to try to remember the difference between Geoff and Jeff. Just make sure you don’t write anything mean in there, you never know when you will misplace your notepad!

What should I bring?

This is important, especially on your first day. You will want to make sure you bring the required identification for filling out your new employee paperwork. This includes a school ID, driver’s license, passport, Social Security card and/or birth certificate. Most employers will require you bring at least two of these items. To make sure you have exactly what you need, you should call your employer. If they have mailed you anything, make sure you give it another close look, as there may be information about your first day and what exactly you need to take with you.

It’s your first day and you can’t re-make a first impression, breath mints wouldn’t hurt!

What if I’m late?

Two words: DON’T BE! Your best bet would be to test out the route from your house to your new job before the big day. Even if it didn’t take you that long when you went on the interview, the time may increase drastically depending on the time of day. Do your best to get there around 10 minutes early. This is your first chance to show them that they made a great decision in hiring you and that you are taking this seriously.

Uncertain?

The best advice is to “just ask.” If there’s something you’re not sure about before you go in, pick up the phone and call. If there’s a step in the job you aren’t sure of, stop the training and ask for more detail. You won’t look dumb, you’ll look attentive and determined to succeed.

What No One Tells You

TaraGoodFellow

Adapted from: https://www.unstuck.com/advice/7-things-no-one-tells-you-when-you-start-a-new-job/

When we start a new job there’s always a period when we feel at sea. There’s too much information, and yet too little. We’re painfully aware of being the new kid on the block, but hesitant to say when things don’t make sense.

How can we get up to speed and appear confidently competent at the same time?

Try this: Instead of anticipating and projecting, stay in the moment. Focus on the task at hand. If you attend to the learning processes, getting to know your team everything else will fall in place, bit by bit.

1. Join the Team

People are curious about the new person. Don’t just sit at your computer and do your job. Recognize that, although you might be nervous and feeling overwhelmed, you need to be able to speak to folks. It’s critical to make the effort, even if it doesn’t come naturally. Start by introducing yourself, and make a habit of saying hello..

2. Don’t Force Friendships

An eagerness to fit in is natural, but you’re coming in with unknowns. Learn the dynamics. Be patient. Be friendly, but you don’t need to be everyone’s best friend.”

When personal and professional boundaries get blurred before you’ve had a chance to build trust and know your colleagues, there can be ramifications. You want people to like you, but your focus should be that they like you because you do a great job.”

3. Respect What You Don’t Know

In more senior level positions, the biggest mistake is not learning enough about the new process before you make changes. You’re trying to show your strengths by making changes without realizing why it’s been that way for so long.

Instead, marry your confidence with respect for existing routines, dynamics, and

processes. They exist for a reason; learn what they are before you declare the need for improvement.

4. Know Your Nervous Tendency

Nerves often lead to faux pas, that’s human. Think about the last time you felt knock-kneed and freaked out. What did you do? You might blurt things out when anxiety is high, or you might try to fit in, or you might go introverted. The great thing is that, if you know your tendency, your awareness can find ways to work around it.

5. Speak Up to Get What You Need

Asking for help can make us feel vulnerable, but we put ourselves at a disadvantage if we let fear bite our tongue. The first week or two, they’re throwing a lot of info at you. You can’t process the volume being thrown at you so quickly. But one thing that sets you up for success is an understanding of your job which means having the confidence to ask questions.”

6. Accept the Change

Anxiety ramps up when you’re first starting a job. Part of it’s exciting; part of it is nerve-wracking. You can balance your nerves by controlling the unknowns: If it’s a new route to work, figure that out first, so you’re not 20 minutes late due to traffic. Dress professionally. Do things that will lessen your anxiety.

7. Take It Day by Day

When you’re new, your real job is to learn your job. Focus on that and be patient with the process. After all, you’re off the hook for the first month or two. You don’t need to be a leader or change maker just a good student, a hard-worker, and a friendly colleague.

There’s a kind of freedom in that: You’re free to ask for help. You’re free to make mistakes. Enjoy being the new kid, it will prepare you for what comes next.

Start Your New Job Right

Alison Green

https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2008/06/23/9-ways-to-start-your-new-job-right

How you handle your first few weeks on a job can set the tone for your entire stay at the new company. Here are nine ways to set yourself up right:

1. You Might Be Overwhelmed by All the New Information

Don't freak out about it. I have a theory that you can only retain one third to one half of the information that's thrown at you during your first day on a job if the environment is a fast-paced one. This is normal. Eventually it'll all come together.

2. Listen Far More Than You Talk.

The first week is about you assembling a framework of understanding for how your new company works. Hold off on suggesting changes until you get to know the environment and people and how and why they do things.

3. Don't Be Shy About Asking Questions.

Frankly, it's unnerving when a new employee doesn't ask questions, because this signals you're either too shy (bad—how will you get what you need?) or not paying enough attention to realize what questions you should have (really bad). However, to the extent that you're able, save up your questions and ask them in bunches. This way, you're interrupting less but still getting the information you need.

4. Some Managers Are Better at Training and Orienting People

If yours seems haphazard in her approach, don't be shy about taking the reins yourself to get what you need. It's OK to ask things like: "What things should I be focusing on this first week?" Or, "What can I read to get a better understanding of…?"Or, "Are there samples of how this has been done in the past that I can look at?" And, "Can we meet tomorrow afternoon to check in?"

5. Find Out What Your Manager Wants

What are you to accomplish in the first month. What are the big projects you should be focusing on immediately? What would successful outcomes for those be?

6. Pay Attention to The Culture.

This is hugely important, and when new employees don't do it, they come across as tone-deaf. Observe how others act and you'll absorb a ton of information about cultural expectations. Are people compulsively on time for meetings? Do they take a real lunch or eat at their desks? What hours do most people work? Is there a lot of chitchat during the day, or do people stay focused on their work? Do people primarily use E-mail to communicate or talk in person? While you don't need to become someone you're not, you do want to try to roughly fit into cultural parameters.

7. Don't Turn Down Offers of Help.

Even if you secretly think you don't need the help, accept assistance anyway. At a minimum, you'll begin forming bonds, but you'll also probably gain helpful information. After all, you don't know what you might not know.

8. Don't Forget to Go to Lunch.

New employees sometimes skip lunch because they don't know the company's norms and don't want to do something different from everyone else. Just go get yourself some food. Really, it's not weird. But if you're concerned about fitting into the culture because you just read point No. 6, just ask someone: "How does lunch usually work?"

9. In A Few Weeks

Pull out any orientation materials you were given and read them again. Now that you have a framework to plug the info into, you'll retain much more of it and may even find it helpful. This is a way to review and refocus where you are and where you are going.