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What Can You Do Before Your First Day at a new company?I’m sure that you have been through many “firsts” in your life! Starting at a new company is really not much different actually, except there probably won't be a formal orientation like when you started at school or university. When you start a new job you're generally not in the company of others who are also new. Oh no! You're the new kid on the block coming into a situation where relationships have already been formed. You're the only one who can't find the restroom, doesn't know where the supply room and mailroom are located, doesn't yet realize that the guardian exercise all the real power, and doesn't know not to talk to the boss until he's had his first cup of coffee. There's so much to learn in addition to the duties related to the job you were hired for. It's quite overwhelming for most of us. Getting Ready If it's possible take time to separate from your previous workplace. Leaving co-workers behind can be very difficult. The number of hours spent at work far exceeds the number of hours spent anywhere else. The relationships, good and bad, are usually very strong ones. Sometimes it can be very cosy and other times it can be like a big dysfunctional family. You may not always like those you work with; sometimes you can barely tolerate them. But, you do get used to being around the same people day after day. Take time to do some research. Learn all you can about your new employer. Learn about their product lines, their philosophies, and their corporate culture. Call around to see if anyone in your network knows any of your future co-workers and ask that person to introduce you prior to your first day. Wouldn't it be nice to see a friendly face when you walk through the door on your first day? Plan what you're going to wear during the first week of work. Remember, you'll want to wear your most conservative outfits to start off, until you figure out what's appropriate and what isn't. See what needs to go to the dry cleaner or the tailor, what needs to be washed and ironed, and what needs to be replaced. This will save you from having to take care of those things when you may be coming home tired. That first week of a new job can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Plan the route you'll take to work as well as some alternate routes. Should there be traffic, or if there are no taxi’s available, you'll be glad you did this. Tips to Help You Survive Your First Few Days Your first day is here. That time off sure flew by, didn't it? Put on the one suit that you know makes you shine. If you feel confident, you'll look confident to others. Whether you're driving to work or using mass transit, be sure to leave plenty of time to get there early. Treat it like a job interview, and remember first impressions do count. Eat breakfast before you leave your house - fresh breath and clean teeth (no poppy seed muffins, please) are a must. Your work day begins when you leave your house. You never know when you'll come into contact with your co-workers or boss. A friend of mine was driving to work one day when a car swung around her and the driver made a hand gesture (you know the one) at my friend. He didn't see my friend's face, but she saw his. It looked familiar and then my friend remembered why. He was her most recent hire, starting work that very day. She attributed his action to nerves, and hasn't said a word to him, yet! You shouldn't make lewd hand gestures regardless of who the recipient may be, but if you are tempted to, just think of the other person as being a potential boss, co-worker, or client or somebody having a very bad day. So you finally made it to your new workplace. Now take a deep breath and walk in with a smile on your face. Keep your head up and remember to make eye contact. Be polite and friendly to everyone you encounter, whether it's the receptionist or the mailroom clerk, your colleagues or your new boss. Introduce yourself to those you meet and remember that it's okay to ask questions. People generally like to help others and it usually makes them feel good about themselves. I remember a new co-worker who refused all offers of help. I guess she thought it would make her look incompetent to our boss. The result was that everyone thought she was a snob or a know-it-all and some people even vowed to refuse to help her in the future. While it's okay to hold onto some of things you learned in your previous jobs and use that knowledge in your new job, remember that every workplace has its own way of doing things. Your first few weeks or even months on a job is not the time to change the way things get done. Do not utter these words: "That's not how we did it at my old company." Your colleagues will just be thinking this: "Well, you're not at your old company and if you liked it so much why didn't you stay there." Your Next Few Weeks, Months... The length of time it takes you to adjust to a new job varies from person to person, and job to job. While you may fit in immediately at some jobs, it may take a little longer in others. And some people seem to fit in immediately wherever they go. All you can do is try your best, and do your job the best way you know how. The following tips may help: |