However many jobs you’ve had in the past, we wager that you are like most people who start a new job – a nervous wreck. There are new faces and names to learn, new systems and departments to navigate and new jargon to master. It can all seem a bit overwhelming. To help you handle the first-week jitters and start your career off with a bang, we suggest you do the following things to nail that critical week.
- Be on time: Tardiness for on your first day makes a horrible impression on your new boss and co-workers. Coming to work on time shows your boss that you’re responsible, eager to start in your new position and that you value his and your co-workers’ time.
- Start building relationships: During your first week on a new you should spend a great deal of your time getting to know your co-workers. Usually, you can do this during the orientation session that most businesses hold to greet new workers. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself, learn names and positions and above all to smile and be personable.
- Dress to impress: There’s an old saying that you should dress for the job you want and not the job you have. You should keep this saying in mind and at the same time remember that how you dress sends a number of important signals about how you view your environment and importance of the position you are occupying. If you are unsure about whether or not your dress is appropriate you should go over the company’s dress code before you start your first day of work’
- Ask questions/take notes: There are no stupid questions the old saying goes. And since you are bound to be a bit confused and about procedures at your new job you should ask questions and if necessary take notes. You co-workers will understand that you are learning the new position and that you may need some help/guidance at first. Not only is asking question the best way to gain valuable knowledge you will need to do your job effectively, it also shows your enthusiasm and interest in the job.
- Learn the office: Familiarize yourself with the layout of the office so that you can begin to become an asset to your new company from the first week on. Learn the location of the bathroom, printer, kitchen, where certain offices are situated, etc.
Finally, everyone goes through the first week jitters when they begin a new position whether it is their first or fifth job. That’s normal. Just follow the above tips and you will be on your way to making a good impression and to perhaps sky-rocketing your career. Our staffing company in New York can help you achieve that goal as we have some of the biggest companies in the country for clients. We also have relationship with Fortune 500 companies that are looking for permanent staffing in New York.