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Getting adjusted to your new job is going to take some focus and patience. It may even mean stepping outside of your comfort zone to any degree. But in the long run, your personal and professional life will benefit from getting off to a great start at your new job.
PSR share everything you need to know.
Be prepared
When you were called back for a job interview, you tried your hardest to make a good impression and this probably involved some important preparations. If you hope your first day on the job goes well, you should be equally diligent with your homework.
It may even be a good idea to take a few days off before your first day of work to get yourself mentally prepared for the new job. You will want to study up on your role in the company, what your job will entail, the company itself and some of the company culture to make sure you are ready to fulfill your role with panache.
This will make all the difference in that first day of work when you don’t look like a lost sheep as you sheepishly ask around for directions and clues to your role in the organization. It will also make a difference to the next 6 months that will be your “probationary” period and all eyes will be on you to see if you have the stuff to be a benefit to all.
Prepare everything else you think you will need as well. Make sure all your required documents are in order. You will also want to be collecting all the documents provided to you by the company in another folder.
Furthermore, make sure you are rested well for your new day of work. This will allow you to maintain your focus and mental stamina throughout the first day of work.
Be punctual and presentable (first impressions)
Just like when you got a haircut a few days before your job interview, you will want to do what you can to look sharp and presentable on that first day of work. If you get a chance, this is something you can research when studying up on company culture. After a few days on the job, you will get a better idea of what “presentable” means in this place of work, so erring on the side of overdressed is not going to kill your image — at least not as much as the alternative.
The next point is equally as important. Make sure you arrive a little early to make sure you have more than enough time to fully integrate with your team before the work begins. Leave your house with plenty of time to arrive and maybe even pick up a coffee on your way over to make sure you are fully prepared to engage mind and body.
Be Organized and Proactive
It is unlikely that you will be thrown into the full swing of regular operations and have very pressing demands on the first day of work. But you should take this space to maneuver to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and the amenities available.
You should also consider this a new beginning professionally so make sure to begin on your best foot. You can consider what your greatest personal setbacks and challenges have been in your last place of work and plan to make these your strongest assets from here on. Make sure you take note of the little things and practice plenty of attention to detail. It is better to go through a lot of notebooks and pencils than to have to ask people to repeat detailed instructions.
Also make a full account of your responsibilities within the organization and break this down into small goals with organized objectives.
Be proactive and build momentum
Don’t wait for everything to come to you, this is the time to go and ask the questions and gather the tools needed to perform your tasks effectively. Being a self-starter is highly respectable and a great way to and some shine to that first impression. It also shows your capacity as a leader from the first day of work.
Introduce yourself
You may have a manager or co-worker on hand to show you around and introduce you to the team with whom you will be working — but don’t count on this. No matter how it works out you will want to make an effort to get out there and introduce yourself to your coworkers and colleagues. Make sure you use all your powers of attention to remember those names that you hear. Notes are helpful.
Some places of work will ask their new employees to write an introductory email. If this is the case, take time to craft something truly spectacular. Sometimes, you may find that writing one is a good idea even if it is not required.
Understand the culture
Never underestimate the value of integrating yourself with your team as much as you possibly can. This will help you as you absorb company culture and help you to function well in your new place of employment. If you are already on good terms with your coworkers from the first day and can make jokes, this is a good sign.
You may even be invited out to the local watering hole with the rest of the gang. Make sure you do. But exercise extreme moderation. You want to show them that you can have fun and be chill but know how to keep things from going too far.
