7 Tips For a Successful First Day At Work
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. The stakes are high on your first day of work – even if your onboarding is remote. “As humans, we create stories about one another. The way someone acts, carries themselves, what they say, how they treat others – all of that contributes to the story that others will create about them,” says executive coach Marissa Fernandez. As she puts it, on your first day in a new job, you want the story that others will start telling about you to be a positive one.
“Your first day in a new job also sets the tone for your entire employment experience,” adds Jessica Glazer, the founder of executive placement agency MindHR. You’ll get to learn about your new role, get an idea of company culture, and start building relationships with your new colleagues. If it goes well, you’ll experience reduced anxiety, boosted confidence, and improved productivity,” says Glazer: “A good first day can help reduce anxiety and nervousness about starting a new job. It can boost your confidence in your abilities and help you feel more comfortable in your new role. When you feel comfortable and confident in your new job, you’re more likely to be productive and efficient.”
Ready to crush day one of your new job? Here are some great tips for a successful first day of work.
1. Plan ahead
Failing to plan is planning to fail. You may be heading into the unknown, but there are still things you can plan ahead of time before your first day of work. “Call a few days before to make sure you know where you need to be, who you need to meet, the dress code, how to get there, where to park, and what time to arrive. This will help you arrive on time, relaxed, and ready to start,” says Glazer.
If you’re joining a hybrid or remote team, there are still logistical details you can find out about, such as getting familiar with the platforms you’ll be using. This will allow you to have a clear understanding of hybrid work and better prepare for what your day to day will look like.
2. Be proactive
Proactivity is the name of the game when it comes to having a successful first day of work. “Don’t rely on your new boss or HR to be fully responsible for your day. You’ve likely learned a lot about the company and met a few people in your interview process. Who do you plan to reach out to? What questions do you have? This proactivity will resonate well with others and help you feel proud and accomplished at the end of the day,” says Fernandez.
If you have downtime, Glazer says you should take the initiative to ask if there’s anything you can help with or offer to shadow a coworker to learn more about their role.
3. Be physically and mentally rested
You may be feeling jittery from nervousness, but being physically and mentally rested is crucial before starting a brand-new job. Go to bed early the night before, recommends Fernandez. Do some form of movement in the morning. Then, set an intention for how you want to show up and make a commitment to it. “Now, your mind and body are ready to operate at their fullest potential,” says Fernandez.
4. Listen and observe
Making a good first impression is not about talking non-stop. The more you listen and observe on your first day of work, the better off you’ll be as far as successfully integrating the team. “Take the time to listen to what people are saying, take notes related to your job and observe how people interact with each other,” says Glazer.
5. Ask questions
That being said, don’t be afraid to ask questions. According to Glazer, it shows that you’re engaged and interested in your new role and the company as a whole. It can also help you feel up to speed with processes and key information since asking questions improves memory retention.
6. Have a positive attitude
If you’re going to focus on one thing during your first day in a new job, it should be having a positive attitude, according to Fernandez: “On day one, it’s unlikely you’re going to solve the business’s biggest problems or sign a massive client. It will take some time before you’re adding significant value to the business.” She recommends viewing your attitude as a metric for success on your first day. “Were you engaged? Enthusiastic? Curious? How did you make people feel?”
Things like smiling, introducing yourself and making an effort to get to know your new teammates can go a long way, adds Glazer. It’s all about being friendly and approachable.
7. Follow up
Finally, Glazer has an underrated tip for a successful first day of work: Follow up. That’s right, follow-up emails shouldn’t be reserved solely for the hiring process. “Feel free to send a thank-you email to your manager and any colleagues who helped you. This shows that you appreciate their help and are committed to your new role,” she says.
