How to start off your new job the right way

03.19.2015

Congratulations on your new job! It’s a very exciting time for you right now, and we want to give you tips to start off your new job the right way. We hope that through your interview process you had a chance to experience the culture of your new workplace, overall atmosphere, and can picture yourself working there. Here are five ways to help ensure you make a great first impression with your new co-workers.

1. Keep calm and fight your nerves
The excited/ nervous feeling of walking into your new workplace for your first day is completely natural. You want to feel as prepared as possible for the unknown, and one way to control the nervousness surrounding your arrival is to wake up early. Get up 30 minutes before you know you have to in order to breathe, allow for any traffic hiccups, and gather your thoughts before you arrive. You probably don’t know where to park, or the fastest way to get to your work space, so giving yourself some time to figure it out will lessen the panic factor.

2. Put down your phone
Your first day at work is not the time to be texting with your significant other or friends with updates on everything that is happening to you. Do not give in to your impulse to update your statuses on social media, or let the sale happening on your favorite online shopping site persuade you to waiver from your tasks at hand. Even if you see your co-workers shopping online or answering personal calls as they please, wait until you have been briefed on the Internet polices and demonstrate your focused work performance. You want your behavior to reinforce that hiring you was the right choice. You don’t want your co-workers to think that you are just punching a clock, maintaining your social life, and online shopping in between.

3. Be professional, yet friendly
Even if you’re an introvert by nature, make an effort to say hello and introduce yourself to everyone that passes by your work space. Smile, ask about his/her role at the company, and try to remember each name. Take the opportunity at lunch during the first week to join fellow employees in the break room and show them that you’re friendly and approachable. –Make sure you bring food with you, so you don’t awkwardly have to ask about what is community property in the fridge or on the counter. At the end of the day, mill around your desk and finish up smaller tasks and demonstrate that you don’t have to be the first one out the door.

4. Be a sponge and ask questions
Try to soak up everything going on. Observe to get an understanding of potential department issues, culture highlights/lowlights, and try to determine how you will fit within the organization. When a co-worker or boss asks you to lunch or happy hour, GO. It shows your excitement about being a part of the team. Take detailed notes whenever you can, that way you can refer back when your brain can’t take any more new information. Your brain may feel overwhelmed because you are asking a lot of questions. You need to ask questions to assess processes, projects, and people to figure out what makes this organization tick and where it needs help. Be proactive. Based on your observations, determine how you can help, and offer your assistance.

5. No training, no problem
If you start your new position with no formal training program, try to figure out who will be able to help you learn the ropes. Forge a connection with as many of your new co-workers as possible. Know that extra effort will be required. You’ll be learning about what is expected of you as you spend time in your position. Keep in mind, you’ll have to assess what you need to find your way. It’s not a good idea to approach your new boss with the question, “What should I do now?” Instead, explain what you’re working on, what your goals and objectives are with the project, and ask a pointed question like, “I can understand the issue here, but I’m not sure what solutions are most appropriate. Is there a policy for this or someone I can talk to about the best course of action?” A directed approach like this one is something your manager can appreciate and it will not lead him/her to wonder if you know what you are doing.

Keep these five strategies in mind, and you’ll navigate your first week on the job with ease and success.