How to prepare for your first day on a new job

24 February 2021

It’s your first day, congratulations!

This is the most important and exciting day, you should be given lots of vital information, get introduced to the team, your manager will go through your priorities and main responsibilities.

Dress the part

Wear something that makes you feel confident (this doesn’t necessarily mean wearing a suit and tie which may not be right for the role) the aim of the game is feeling comfortable and presentable.

Dress code can depend on the environment snd the type of workplace.

Be yourself with it, express yourself, and don’t stress, it’s the work you do that really matters.

"Hello!" Be ready to introduce yourself

Why not prepare a mini-pitch which includes your previous work background, some exciting projects you’ve worked on, and any hobbies?

Keep it short and sweet, no need to tell your employer your whole life story. Ask questions about your colleagues and get started from there.

Develop a 30-60-90-day plan

You can do this with your manager, outlining your responsibilities from the beginning and set some goals 30 days, in 60 days and in 90 days. Use your job description as a starting point.

Work smart not hard

Manage your time effectively by putting tasks into your calendar or using tools like Trello and Outlook Planner to support with your organisation, after all its key!

Define your boundaries from the start

Work-life balance is essential, particularly for keeping your mind healthy and not burn out. Always communicate with your manager about breaks, shift patterns, start and end times of each day.

You might be tempted to work late to make a good impression, but the best thing you can do is to set expectations and be realistic.

Explore

If you’re on-site, check-out the building, go on a tour, and for lunch, find the best food spots.

If you’re working remotely, it’s still important to interact and build relationships with your colleagues, attend any online social events, ask to arrange introductory meetings with key team members. Get to know the work environment and most importantly your team.

Stay calm and make notes

Listen, observe and take notes, this is the time to soak up all the information and ask as many questions as possible - no question is a silly question - remember that.

Clarify points, ensure you’re keeping track of tasks and playback your actions to make sure you’ve understood them correctly.

Ask for feedback

You want to know how you’re doing and what you can do to be your best self! Get on the right track from the start.

Think about your skillset

What you have learned from previous roles or experiences, what you can bring to the team? Do you have suggestions or ideas the organisation can benefit from?

Find the appropriate moments to demonstrate your ideas and expertise and become an asset and help make your organisation grow!

Company culture

Take some time to understand how people interact, online, in meetings and around the office, understand the habits of the team, the language, structures, systems and processes. Ease yourself into how it all works A good company will make space for you to bring ideas and approaches to the table.