What to Do on Your First Day at Work

Published by Espresso-Jobs,  January 11^th, 2018

It’s very common to feel nervous, and a bit lost, on your first day at a new company.

Your first days at a new job are likely to cause you some anxiety no matter what the position is or what the company is like. You go where people tell you without knowing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to make things easier in your new role. An article on GineersNow has some good advice in this area to help your first day on the job go smoothly.

Prepare and Ask Questions

Once you’ve been assigned a supervisor or manager, listen carefully to what he or she says and prepare questions to ask. By doing this, you will learn more about what your work will involve and will show that you are attentive and motivated. Ask for in-depth explanations about your job description, who you should talk to when you have questions, what your company’s organizational structure is, etc. Pose questions on things that seem most important.

Prepare to Present Yourself

At most companies, you will have to introduce yourself to the team. So, prepare a short presentation about yourself – one minute or less – to let your colleagues know who you are.

Arrive Early

First impressions are so important! Make sure you aren’t late on your first day. If possible, arrive 15 or 30 minutes early so you can familiarize yourself with your surroundings and make a good impression on your colleagues and new boss.

Observe Your Work Environment

Work environments are rarely the same from one place to another, so you will need to spend time observing your new location to become familiar with it and understand how to adapt. Decide whether the environment is more formal or relaxed, etc. and follow that tendency.

Take a Deep Breath

Your nerves will be on edge as you start your first day at a new job, so you need to find a way to relax. Remember that you will most likely spend more time observing than working, so take advantage of that time to relax and take a deep breath. This will help you more easily retain the information you will need to be successful.

Smile

Your smile is one of your best assets. Few people want to work with or even approach someone who seems grumpy. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, a genuine smile will make you seem more approachable.