Starting a New Job
Table of Contents
The first day of starting a new job is as stressful as it’s exciting. Especially if it’s your first job, or if you’ve changed city or country for this job… The moment you take the first step into your new workplace is very exciting.
It’s important to know some tips so that you’re not caught unprepared for this situation. Of course, there is no need to think as if everything is on your shoulders and get stressed out. The company also has a responsibility to welcome you well on your first day. However, this may not be possible sometimes. For example, the company may not have a hiring manager or an HR department.
Sometimes people are completely alone in this situation. But, there is no need to worry. By following some tips, you can spend your first day in the best possible way.
Before Your Start Day
To spend the first day well, the previous day is also very important. For example, making a great evening routine will do you good. Here are some tips to do before the start day:
Learn How To Get to Work
On your first working day, it’ll not be pleasant to get lost on your way in the morning. Especially if you're not familiar with the neighborhood…So, it’s good to learn how to go to work the day before. If you’re going with your own vehicle, for example, it’s good to make sure your gas tank is full. In this way, you’ll reduce the possibility of being stranded. If you’re going to use public transport, it’s good to look at how long the road will take.
Prepare Your Clothes
Clothes are very important on the first working day. Searching for clothes in the morning can be difficult for you if you don’t decide right before. In fact, it’ll be worse when you wake up in the morning to realize that there is no suitable outfit in your closet for the first day of work. Therefore, if you think that you don’t have suitable clothes, check out your wardrobe at least one day in advance, you’ll have time to go shopping. Wearing the appropriate clothes is very good for your self-confidence. Also, make sure it’s suitable for the weather.
Prepare for Small Talk
It’s important to make good first impressions on colleagues on the first day. Therefore, it would be good for you to prepare for your best small talk. Nobody wants to talk about the weather when they’re on a coffee break, right? Make sure you find interesting things to talk about. You’ll meet many different people. For this reason, we recommend that you prepare yourself for different subjects rather than preparing for a single subject. For example, it could be the latest podcasts or your hobbies.
Prepare Your Breakfast
Breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day, shouldn’t be missed, especially on the first working day. For this reason, decide the day before what you’ll eat for breakfast so that you don’t go hungry on your first day of work in the morning. If you need extra time to prepare the meal, morning departure can be arranged accordingly. For example, you can prepare oats the night before and put them in the fridge. This will give you the energy you need throughout the day.
Prepare Your Bag
You don’t want to have missing documents with you on your first business day. This creates a false impression and can make you seem irresponsible. However, it’s perfectly normal for something like this to happen on the first day of work, if you don’t prepare the day before! Make a list of the things you’ll need on the first day and prepare your bag accordingly the day before. Make sure you don’t forget the required documents.
Set the Alarm
This is probably something you already know, but its importance shouldn’t be underestimated. You were on time for the job interview, right? Then, you need to arrive on time for your first day of work. If you’re late, unfortunately, this will also cause a bad impression. That’s why it’s good to set your alarm more than once. If you don’t hear one, you’ll hear the next and you’ll get to work on time.
On Your First Day
It’s very important to feel successful on the first day. Because if your first day goes well, it’ll be a sign that the next days will go well and it’ll give you self-confidence. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself. But, also try to do your best. Here are some tips for you:
Arrive Early
Coming to work late is generally not a good thing. But, being late on the first day is even worse. In addition to the bad impression it’ll create on the company, it also increases the tension you experience that day. Therefore, follow the system that you’ve planned the day before. You can even set your schedule to go earlier for the first day. If you have a chance to meet someone and cheat before the shift starts, it can relax you. It reduces your stress.
Introduce Yourself Well
Being able to introduce ourselves well is an important task. In general, not being able to introduce oneself well is caused by self-confidence problems. If you think you have such a problem, prepare well for it. Choose the right time and place and introduce yourself to people. If necessary, you can get help from others for this situation. For example, before you go to work, you can inform your manager about this situation and say that you want to introduce yourself. Or, at your first meeting, you may want to be given time to introduce yourself before the meeting begins.
Pay Attention to the First Tasks
Some companies put their new employee on some kind of trial. For example, they want to see how they can handle their heavy workload. This results in a lot of work being given to new employees. This can be a situation that will increase the stress on you, so it’s good to know this upfront. Prepare yourself for this situation. Do the tasks as best you can. In this way, you’ll gain the trust of those in the company and prove yourself. And, there is a high probability that as a result of this, you’ll not be burdened so much from that moment because you've given good first impressions and shown that you can handle things.
Find a Best Friend in Company
It may sound funny, but this is a very important tip for reducing your stress on the first day. Some businesses even do this. However, if your company isn’t implementing it, you’d better find yourself a friend. You can search for people who are working for the company before and choose. Then, all you have to do is go to him/her and meet. Especially if you’ve common interests, this will be good for you. There will be someone who will be by your side when you go through difficult times.
Try To Get to Know the Office
For those who work from the office, the first working day can be stressful because of not knowing the office. For example, where do you get the coffee? A new employee can be very stressed at such moments. Places to take your lunch break, toilets, elevators, etc... Make yourself familiar with your work premises. Normally, a company tour can be made for you on your first work day, but some companies neglect this. If this tour isn’t provided to you, you can ask a colleague. As you get to know the office and its surroundings, you’ll start to feel better that day. You’ll start to establish a routine for yourself from the first day.
Starting a New Job Remotely
Working from home has become more common lately. This requires knowing some different tips because you’re not face-to-face with your co-workers while you work. Here are the tips for remote workers who start a new job…
#1
Prepare Your Home for Work
Before your first day at work arrives, make the necessary preparations to be able to work efficiently at home. A comfortable office chair, a functional desk, a camera, a microphone…Anything you can think of about working. Make sure they’re in working order and in a way that makes you feel comfortable. Some workplaces provide equipment for remote workers. If this is the case, talk to your employer about it. Besides the stuff, it’s necessary to have a good internet connection. If there are programs and software that you’ll need while working, it would be good to have them installed on the computer before the workday comes.
#2
Get Ready for Communication
They’ll likely ask you to introduce yourself at the first meeting on your first working day. Even if they don’t want to, you can request it. It’s good to do some research beforehand to get used to the people and work environment quickly. Make sure you thoroughly read the materials the company shares with you. It would also be good to do some research on who your co-workers are. It’s helpful to know what their roles are. This information is usually easy to find on the internet. It’s also to your advantage to research the company’s projects and company culture.
#3
Get To Know Your Colleagues Well
Every company has different principles for working remotely. Unless they tell you, of course, they can’t expect you to know from day one. However, the sooner you learn, the better. Try to find out what kind of communication style your boss and coworkers like. For example, when some colleagues are asked for something, they may want that job to be conveyed via e-mail.
On the other hand, others may be uncomfortable with this and prefer to be called by phone. While some keep the camera on in meetings, others don’t like to show themselves. These are all things you’ll learn over time, but the faster you try to learn, the easier it’ll be for you to get used to it.
#4
Ask Questions
It’s perfectly normal to have questions in your mind when you’re just starting. Many people shy away from asking questions because of the stress of the first day of work. However, there is no need to avoid interacting. If you have a chance to ask a question, ask. These dialogues may continue in different ways and result in recommendations to you. This is good for you.
It’s not good to be shy if you want to progress and make a great impression. For example, you can try to schedule a meeting with your manager. This will help you get used to your new environment more easily.
#5
Keep Notes
It’ll be good for you to prepare a list that will guide you. You can do this any way you want. It can be a notepad or a Word document, or it can be scribbled on small pieces of paper. The important thing is that what you’re going to use is within easy reach for you. Note the important details. For example, if you don’t have a good name memory, you can write down the names of your colleagues with certain characteristics. That way, you’ll have everything at hand and minor mishaps (like forgetting your colleague’s name!) will stay away from you.
Starting a New Job: Conclusion
We know you feel nervous about starting a new job. But, know that this is perfectly normal. But, also be aware of how valuable you’re. If you weren’t the most suitable person for this position, the company wouldn’t have chosen you among all the people. So, you’re the right person for this position and you’ll do your job in the best way, as long as you’ve confidence in yourself.
We hope that this article helps you reduce the stress of starting a new job. Good luck with your new job and new position!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Starting a New Job
What are 10 tips for starting a new job?
Every job, every employer, and every employee is different. However, there are some practical tips that can help you in your first few weeks, such as:
1. Avoiding proving yourself
2. Selecting your first-day clothes carefully
3. Making a reliable commute plan
4. Writing down your notes
5. Having lunch with your new colleagues
6. Observing your environment
7. Learning more about your teammates
8. Learning about your leader
9. Understanding the company culture and structure
10. Speaking to your hiring manager about your concerns or questions
What are the things to avoid in a new job?
Don’t gossip. Keep your mouth shut but your ears open. You might discover important facts, such as the fact that your boss isn’t always like this and that his bad mood is actually the result of a rough period at home. Don’t add anything to the discussion. Additionally, keep in mind that not all of what you hear is accurate.
Even if they were very disagreeable, don’t complain about your former boss and coworkers. If you speak critically of them in your next employment, it might make a wrong impression and your new coworkers might be concerned. Talk about your complaints with your loved ones, or better yet, just give up. You are now in a different, hopefully, better location.
Sharing private information with coworkers is generally a bad idea, but it’s especially awful advice when you’re just starting out. It will take some time for you to ascertain who will keep that knowledge private, who will spread rumors about you, and who will use it to challenge your authority.
What is the fastest way to impact a new job?
It’s usually simpler to disappear into the background and work quietly, but doing so won’t make you stand out or highlight the abilities that led to your employment in the first place. Your new employer will be looking for you to make an impression, and the best way to do that is to come across as proactive, self-assured, and enthusiastic right away.
Find out what training and development opportunities your new employer offers, or do some research on your own, if you’re serious about moving up and assuming more responsibility. People are more likely to trust your opinions if you take the initiative to finish tasks and go above and beyond what is required.
Asking for new information rather than bearing silently is the fastest way to become familiar with your new position. Consider your questions carefully, order them in order of importance, and make notes that you can refer to later. This will demonstrate your willingness to learn and interest in growing as a worker. This will also increase your job performance.
How should new employers introduce themselves on the first day of work?
Think about the atmosphere at your new place of employment while deciding whether to present yourself formally or casually. Make sure your strategy fits the culture and style of your business.
Regardless of how informal or formal the work setting is, you should always introduce yourself with your name and job title.
In a more informal atmosphere, your acquaintances might anticipate hearing more about your occupation, interests, or pastimes.
How long should new job anxiety last?
For some people, mastering the fundamentals may just take a few weeks. However, it can take anywhere from a few months to a year to completely get used to the routine and feel totally at ease in your job.
How do you know if your new job isn’t a good fit for you?
An employment opportunity may appear more appealing on paper than it actually is. If your new job starts making you second guess why you choose to get out of bed every morning, it might be time to stand back and rethink. You may want to stick it out for a while and give it a chance.
Here are several important red flags that your current position might not be the right one for you on your career path.
- You’re feeling too dissatisfied with your job
- At work, you’re not being challenged
- Value alignments are absent
- It’s your responsibility to foster bad behaviors
- Your workplace is unhealthy
- There are no chances for development
- The business is struggling
- Work-life balance is impossible to achieve