Whether it’s your first day at a new job or your first interview, making a great first impression is essential to success.
Here are some ways you can do that:
Arrive early
Nothing creates a worse first impression than arriving late on your first day. Make sure you arrive 10-15 minutes early so that you have enough time to store your belongings, check in with the relevant people and find your way around your new workplace.
Look the part
Wear something that will make you feel professional and confident, and be presentable. It would be beneficial to discuss the workplace dress code before your start date with your new employer. That way, you know what to expect and eliminate the risk of getting it wrong.
Take notes
On your first few days at work you will be given lots of new information about the company, your role and what is expected of you. A good way to help you remember it all is to take notes as you go along, if you can. This will also reassure your manager than no unnecessary questions will be asked later along the line!
Do your homework
Prior to your first day at work, you may find it useful to do your homework about your new company. You should already know lots about them following your interview, but it may be worth digging a little deeper into things you haven’t previously researched – such as their history, their values and their plans for growth in the future.
Listen
By listening carefully you will put yourself in the best possible position to gain as much knowledge about the company and its employees as possible, making the onboarding process much smoother.
Avoid boasting about your achievements
Let your work speak for itself. By boasting about past achievements, you risk implying that you think you are above your new colleagues and leaving a negative first impression.
Introduce yourself
Introducing yourself on the first day and making an effort to get to know those you are going to be working with on a daily basis will allow you to get to know everybody quickly and feel more comfortable. Try to remember people’s names and faces, it will help later down the line.
Ask questions
Always ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. This will also show that you are willing to learn and proactive in your own development, as well as save any embarrassment of getting things wrong.
You might also like to read:
How to negotiate a starting salary
