Tag Archives: Starting a new job

What to Do On Your First Day of Work

The first day on a new job is exciting and terrifying all at the same time. No matter what you may be feeling inside, however, you want to make sure that you make a great impression on your first day.

Plan Your Outfit The Night Before

Plan your “first day” outfit the night before and make sure to have one backup in case you spill coffee on yourself right before you walk out the door.  Make sure you are clear on the office dress code. Remember “business casual” at one company could mean something completely different at another.

Leave Home Early

You should have already planned your driving route to work, which means you should know how long it is going to take you to get there.  Leave much earlier than you think you will need to, just to avoid any potential rush-hour traffic snags.

Get Your Shaking Hand Ready

You’re going to meet a lot of new people over your first few days on the job. Be prepared to introduce yourself over and over again. Try to say more than, “My name is Susan.” What do you want them to remember you for? Engage in conversation, make eye contact with everyone, smile pleasantly, and offer a firm handshake.

Make a Serious Effort to Remember Names

When meeting someone new, always repeat their name out loud. “Very nice to meet you, Bob.” If you did not catch a person’s name or you are unsure of the pronunciation, ask the person to repeat the name, and then make a concerted effort to remember it.

Accept a Lunch Invitation

If your colleagues invite you to lunch, accept the invitation, even if you’ve packed yourself a healthy, balanced meal. Saying no could offend your team members. During your first few weeks, you should accept all lunch invitations to get to know your co-workers and to help build camaraderie. Once you’ve settled in, you can go back to your regular lunch routine.

Take Notes

Take a notepad and pen with you everywhere you travel on your first day. Write things down so that you don’t have to ask the same questions over and over again. Taking notes shows that you’re paying attention to what’s going on around you and that you are interested in learning.

Don’t Bolt at 5:00

Don’t watch the clock in your early days. Try to stick around a few minutes after the close of business to show that you’re interested in getting the job done.

If you are looking for job search guidance, contact The Prevalent Group today. We are a nationally recognized management and executive placement firm that works with experienced professionals in sales, marketing, engineering, technology and more. We look forward to working with you.

What You Should And Shouldn’t Ask As You Start Your Job

The first days and weeks on a job are the most critical when it comes to establishing a positive perception, learning the ropes, and building trust among your colleagues.  It will be important to ask questions along the way, but it’s equally important to know what not to say as you start your new job.

Questions for Your Boss

In order to have a good working relationship with your new supervisor, you’ll need to get a feel for the type of manager you’re working with. It is also essential to be clear about your exact responsibilities on the job.  It is appropriate to ask your new boss questions like:

  • How often do you prefer to receive project updates?
  • Do you like those updates to be made via email, telephone, or face-to-face?
  • What are your goals for my first month?
  • How will you measure my success in that first month?
  • How does this position fit into the “big picture” of the organization?
  • If I get stuck, who on the team is easily approachable for help?

Questions for Co-workers

Current employees can be wary of a new team member. They may wonder if you will upset the rhythm of the office, if you’ll get along with everyone, or even if you’ll upstage them. You’ll want to get to know your new colleagues and build a rapport by asking questions that show genuine interest in who they are and what they do. You might ask:

  • Tell me about your experience working on (project that you are assigned to).
  • What types of projects do you head up?
  • Do my responsibilities overlap with yours? In what ways?
  • What types of qualities do you like to see in your teammates?
  • What can I do to assist you and the team in achieving our goals?

What Not to Say

While it is important to ask questions as a new employee, you don’t want to be seen as needy or slow to learn. Asking too many questions, or asking the wrong types of questions can start you off on the wrong foot with your new colleagues. Avoid the following:

  • Don’t ask the same person the same question more than once. Keep a notebook and write things down.
  • Don’t bother people if they look extremely busy, unless it’s an absolute emergency.
  • Don’t ask your co-workers what happened to the person who held your job before.
  • Don’t ask how often you get to leave early, or if your boss cares if you show up late. It shows a lack of motivation.
  • Don’t ask anyone out on a date.
  • Don’t ask anyone how much they are paid.
  • Don’t turn down lunch invitations in your first few weeks. Be approachable and friendly at all times.

Always remember that your first few days and weeks on the job are going to be stressful. You will probably make some mistakes. Don’t be hard on yourself if you hit a few snags along the way.  Prepare yourself, ask questions, and do your best. There is always the next day to start over and get it right.

If you are looking for job search guidance, contact The Prevalent Group today. We are a nationally recognized management and executive placement company that works with experienced professionals in sales, marketing, engineering, technology and more. We look forward to working with you.