So you've landed the job! You made it through the grueling interview process, met the team members, signed the contract and you're about to start your first day.
What now?
We have put together 10 tips on making your first day a great success. These tips are a compilation of advice from experienced recruiters and management, give them a read and let us know if you have any other tips that we should share.
- Before the big first day:
- decide what you are going to wear BEFORE the day, make sure it is clean, ironed, and laid out the day before. You want to feel confident on your first day, so wear something that you both, feel comfortable wearing and gives you that additional boost of confidence.
- Figure out how long that commute time is in morning traffic!
- Get a notepad and pen that you can bring to start taking notes and jotting down what you learn (you can often feel overloaded with information on your first day).
- Prepare an elevator pitch that you can share with people on that first day
- When the day itself arrives make sure to arrive early but not TOO early. First impressions of timeliness is important.
- Come into the job with an open mind, be flexible to change, and be open to new ways of doing things
- Try to get the lay of the land - take notes in that fancy new notebook if needed of where specific things are (this is only really necessary if you are working in a bigger office, having those things written down may help you in that adjustment process).
- Set boundaries early on - It isn't only the employer that sets expectations but it is important that you kindly and politely establish what your boundaries are. I mean obviously don't bluster in making demands left right and centre, (that probably won't go down too well) but it is important you establish these early on.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions, for example, ask about the onboarding process.
- Be aware of your body language. Body language is extremely important, especially when impressions are being formed in those early days.
- Put your phone away. This is an obvious one, but even if the company is open to employees checking their phones and responding to text messages throughout the day, on your first day there will be a lot to learn and you want to demonstrate your willingness to participate in and absorb whatever is going on.
- Say yes to the lunch invite (if there is one), developing relationships with your colleagues begins on day one
- Engage in the training sessions - ask good questions and answer when questions are asked. Attentively listen and take good notes so that you can refer back to them later.
10. As you leave express gratitude to your team for making it a good first day!
These tips are obviously very tailored toward this being an in-office job, however, what if this job is remote? A lot of the same principles remain the same, you will still want to make sure you have that notebook and pen poised and ready to take some good notes throughout the day.
- First and foremost establish your working environment. As well as you can have a space established for your working day.
- Remove any distractions that could disrupt your working rhythm. You don't want people walking about behind you, or loud noises/people talking in the background of your calls. Even when you are not on calls, you don't want disruptions throughout your working day.
- Try to beat the 'pajama' stereotype of working remotely. Get up early, shower, exercise (whatever you do in the morning) get your work 'fit on, and prepare yourself to start your day! It is important to create an environment where you can work well.
- You can still get there early, even if the commute is much shorter. Sit down at your desk with a hot drink (if you like) take a few deep breaths and take the time to gather your thoughts before beginning.
Engage well and ask good questions in any onboarding calls you may have with your manager. Write good notes and set out a good working plan for yourself throughout the week.
Good luck with that first day! You are going to crush it.
Written by Leah Moy Heward, Marketing Manager at CPI Selection
