Top Tips To Follow When Starting A New Job
Are you about to start a new job? Maybe you are worried about starting your new job off on the right foot and on a positive note? Even though it is a super exciting time for you as you are starting a new phase in your life and also in your career, it can be a very stressful and scary time too. If you want to alleviate some of that stress and ensure that you are starting off on the right foot and in a positive light, take some time to plan and prepare yourself. Preparedness is key to making the transition a breeze and it all starts with first impressions. First impressions are usually what people remember the most. In fact, 95 percent of people believe first impressions are very important. In order to avoid that negative first impression, show your new coworkers you’ve come prepared with everything you need to succeed, including a positive attitude. Check out the tips below to ensure your first day on the job is a great one…..
Prepare Your First day Outfit In Advance
The first thing you want to do is prepare your outfit the day before you start your new job. You do not want to have to rifle through your closet, looking for the perfect outfit the day of your new job because that can be stressful. Instead have your outfit laid out for yourself and ready to go. If you find that you need a new outfit for your first day and you have the funds, take a trip to your favorite clothing store a day or two before and find the perfect outfit for you. This will ensure that you not only look your best on day one but that you are also confident for your first day as who doesn’t feel fabulous in a new outfit?! Also make sure that you have comfortable shoes with supportive insoles for flat feet, especially if your job entails lots of standing, plus a sweater or light jacket in the event your workplace is on the chilly side.
Prepare For The Commute
Making sure to research your commute before that first day on the new job is a smart way to alleviate excess stress. There is nothing worse than trying to find a place that you have never been too, especially when it comes to the first day on a new job. You don’t want to be late by taking a wrong turn and getting lost somewhere along the way, so mapping out or even physically driving to the new job the day before so that you know the route perfectly, is the way to go. This will ensure that you not only know how to get to the new job but how long it’s going to take you too. If you are not driving but rather taking public transportation, make sure you have the necessary passes and funds for that as well.
Gather Your Required Documents
I always believe in being over-prepared rather than under-prepared and that is why it is a good idea to take all of your required documents with you on your first day of work. There may be extra documents needed to complete the hiring process and your employer will let you know in advance to bring them. Have all of these important documents ready to go the night before too….. think your ID, Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Bank Information, and any other hiring documents. Also make sure to take a notepad and pen with you so that you have it in the event you need it. Remember….preparedness is key!
Check The Companies Social Media Policies
In this day and age with technology and social media at the forefront of everything… It is important to know your new employer’s social media policy. Some companies don’t care about employees posting on social media via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media sites during work hours BUT others prohibit it which is why knowing their policy is a must. This is also the time to vet your social media pages as making a good first impression with your peers is crucial. These new employees and employers may want to become your friend on Facebook, so make sure your page is fit for them to see and explore. It is also important to check those privacy settings so that you can be careful about who gets to see what on your channels.
Arrive Early
It goes without saying that on your first day of the new job, you want to ensure you are a little early. This will eliminate unnecessary stress when starting the new position and it is easy to accomplish after mapping out your commute in advance as mentioned above. You may want to make the trip to the new job a few times in advance. This will give you an average timeframe on how long the commute is and then you can give yourself a little extra breathing room that first day so that you’re nice and early.
Be Nice & Build Relationships
It is important to note that being nice goes a long way when it comes to meeting new people. People like nice people and if you are nice to everyone when at work, you are definitely going to get ahead. Sometimes the little guys in a business know more about the inner workings of a company than those at the top do so by being nice to everyone that you meet, will help you to get into that inner circle too. Being in the know is a good thing when it comes to a job and especially a new job.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Never be afraid to ask for assistance when starting a new job. There is truly no such thing as a stupid question, especially when you are starting a new job. Your new employer would prefer you ask questions to ensure that you get the job done right as it’s easier to provide the help rather than to have to fix a mistake. No one expects you to know it’ll on day one, so it is better to ask for help than to guess.
Don’t Stress Over The Little Stuff
Remember, this is a new job and a new exciting adventure for you in your career path, so take a deep breath and don’t over stress. You will not be expected to learn everything at once as it is a new job to you and finding your place will take some time. Continue building on those relationships with your new fellow employees and learn everything that you can each and every day and before it you will be one of the team and maybe even leading it!
29 Comments
Lori Bosworth
I think being nice and building relationships is great advice when you start a new job. It sets you off on the right foot.
mcushing7
Absolutely Lori! That for me is very important… have great relationships with those that you work with 😉 It is everything!
Susan
This is spot on! A professional look, being prepared, be early, and have a helpful, positive attitude will help you be successful.
mcushing7
Yes Susan! They are all important steps!
Amber Myers
I will show this to my husband. He’s retiring from the military and looking for another job!
mcushing7
That sounds awesome! Glad for you as he will be home and a nice change of pace too 😉 I grew up a military brat so I understand 😉
Tara Pittman
Being prepared is always a good thing. The first impression is a big deal and you do need to have an outfit prepared for that.
mcushing7
Absolutely! I am all about making sure you look the part 😉 It is important!
Renee
These are great tips! A few I wish I had when I started my last job.
LisaLisa
Oh great! My daughter just started a new job too and she could use this. Great info to share!
Beth Pierce
Preparing for the commute is important. you dont want to be late on your first day!
mcushing7
That is probably the most important to me! Making sure I know how to get there as there is nothing more stressful than bot being sure of where you are going 😉
Beautiful Touches
Be early or on time, be prepared, and look the part- great advice for what to do when starting a new job!
mcushing7
Yes! Great summarization and so very true!
Zab Zaria
That’s amazing! This is one of the most interesting topics! Thank you for sharing those tips
adriana
These are such great tips for starting a new job! Thank you for sharing this!
Monidipa Dutta
Your article on the top tips to follow when starting a new job is incredibly helpful and insightful. I appreciate the practical advice you provide and the emphasis on building positive relationships with coworkers. Your writing style is engaging and easy to follow. Looking forward to reading more from you!
mcushing7
Thank you for your beautiful reply and the tips are helpful for sure 😉
Gervin Khan
These are amazing tips, a worth reading especially to those in the situation! Definitely a big help and kinda booster when everything is align!
Tami Creates
This is such a helpful post for anyone who’s starting a new job!
Lynndee
My first day at a new job was always nerve wracking for me. These are great tips!
Christy G
I just got a part time job back in March. It feels weird having a job after being out for ten years. But being on the phone during work hours is a no no except on break. But the younger generation doesn’t care about that policy as much.
mcushing7
So true…. I think it is because the schools allowed them… like when my daughter was in high school….she said all of the kids had their phones out in class…. that is nuts to me. Should never have been allowed and now they are literally attached to those phones LOL….but at work? How can you do your job is you are looking at your phone??? Baffles me and slightly scares me too.
Lavanda Michelle
These tips seem very reliable, I can definitely tell they will help. Thanks for sharing!
Karen
I love these tips, amazing!!! Starting a new job is very stressful, I dread the first few days.
mcushing7
Yes… once you get through a few days it is all good… it is stressful though to start and totally normal to feel that way 😉
Tammy
Really, really great tips here. It’s important to do your research and just like a company will background check you, you have to do the same with them. It’s important for a strong working relationship.
Clarice
I totally agree with you. We shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s way better to ask than commit a huge mistake. After all, it’s understandable that we don’t know everything yet since we are just new in the company.
mcushing7
Absolutely! I would rather someone ask than do something wrong and like you said.. you are new so how would you not need to ask for some help 😉