Do you have the first day at a new job coming up? No doubt you will be a little nervous wondering how everyone will treat you and whether you will learn the job quickly. Everyone goes through first day nerves, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a strategy in place to cope with it. Learn how to survive your first day in a new job, by following these simple ideas.
Preparing the Night Before
One thing you don’t want to be doing on your first day is rushing or panicking. You should have everything packed and ready to go the night before, so you don’t forget anything. If you need to, make a list of the things you need and refer to it at the end. What you wear depends on the area you are going into, but it should be casual but smart unless you are working on a building site. Think about what you might need, do they have a café? If not, make sure you take some cash with you, this is a good idea in any case as they might have a coffee morning you can join. If you aren’t sure about food, it is best to take a packed lunch, at least until you figure out where everything is in the area.
Getting to Your Job
If your new job is out of town or somewhere you have never been before, then you should check out the place before you start. Take a trip in your car or by bus at the time you would normally be commuting. It will give you a good idea about traffic, and it will show you where the business is located. It could also be a good idea when you get to the company to see if you can find the way in, this prevents having to wander around on your first day. Although you have probably already thought about how you will get to work, it is a good idea to look at other options just in case your car breaks down one day, or you miss the bus.
Traveling in On the Day
On your first day, you want to be up in plenty of time, so you can relax and get ready without rushing. You should aim to get to work about 10 minutes before your time to start; this allows time for you to find your way in and sign any paperwork before you begin. If you find that you arrive earlier than that, don’t go in straight away or you will feel awkward sitting there until your time. If for some unfortunate reason you are running late, make sure you call your employer before the start time to tell them.
Your Mindset
You will have a lot of emotions and thoughts running through your mind before you start. You might even have some preconceptions about what it will be like to work there. It is important that you try to keep things in perspective and be realistic about what will happen. Most of what you experience will depend on your own behavior, so try to be approachable to others, but don’t worry if not everyone says hello.
What to Expect from Your Employers
On your first day, you will most likely be filling in a lot of paperwork. Not only will you need to arrange security passes, but you will also need to have a tour of the office to see where everything is. Don’t worry if you don’t remember everything at first; this is the best time to be asking questions as everyone will be expecting it. It is important to find out as much as you can at this stage; you can always have a notebook with you if you need to write things down. Your employers will also be providing you with any equipment or clothing you need. For example, if you are working in a technical environment, then your employer will give you protective clothing such as Blue Sky custom scrubs to wear.
Don’t Be Afraid to Be Inquisitive
As it’s your first day, there will be many things you need to know; you should use the first couple of days to ask as many questions as you need. You might even be tasked to do something on your first day, so don’t be surprised. They may pair you up with someone on your first day to show you around. If they do, explain to your colleague that you will take notes and that you might ask questions. It is the perfect opportunity to find things out that might make your life easier. As well as just talking about work, try to talk about other things, it will help to break the ice, and you might make a new friend. You might also be able to find out things that the boss might have forgotten, such as is there anywhere to buy food or is there a place to smoke. Ask for people’s names when you meet them but explain that you have seen a lot of people today, so you might not remember everyone.
After Work
When your working day is finished, don’t feel compelled to stay after everyone else. You might think that it will impress the boss, but they might not even notice. When you leave, some of your colleagues might invite you out for a drink after work. It is always a good idea to say yes, even if you only drink soft drinks because you’re driving. It will help you get to know people, especially those who you didn’t get chance to meet before. When you get home, reflect on your day and have a quick read through your notes. Think about anything you didn’t ask or anything you need to see again.
By having a plan of action, you should be able to tackle your first day with confidence and an eagerness to learn.