Make a Good Impression on Your First Day

Starting a new job is both exciting and nerve-racking. On the one hand, your future is wide open and filled with new opportunities, while, on the other, you’re in unfamiliar territory fraught with unprecedented dangers. That’s why it’s crucial for you to set your emotions aside and focus on how to make a good impression on your first day. For better or for worse, how your colleagues and supervisors perceive you on your first day can have a lasting impact on the rest of your career within the company.

Follow these six tips to make a good impression on your first day and keep your professional reputation intact.

Come in early

Your new employer should have indicated when your training begins. If you don’t have this information, make sure you call ahead to find out, and try to come into the office about 15 to 30 minutes early, which should give you plenty of extra time to deal with traffic jams and other unforeseen complications. You can’t afford to be late if you’re going to make a good impression on your first day. Keep in mind, however, that your supervisor is not likely to be ready until the scheduled time, so you may have to wait at reception.

Overdress

Try to remember what employees wore when you went in for your job interview , then dress just a bit more conservatively — and we do mean a bit. Though you should avoid denim as a general rule if you’re trying to make a good impression on your first day, don’t show up in a three-piece suit if the average worker had on jeans and a T-shirt. If the case is as casual as this example, dress pants and a well-ironed shirt ought to suffice it. If you can’t recollect your new office’s dress code, go with the classic suit and tie.

Mind your manners

Be courteous to everyone you meet, and make sure to thank your trainers. Your new colleagues may not necessarily remember your good etiquette, but you can be certain they’ll recall any act of rudeness. That’s why it’s important to be on your best behavior if you want to make a good impression on your first day. Obviously, it’s best not to swear or use sarcasm, but you should also avoid controversial topics of conversation such as sex, religion and politics.

Don’t rock the boat

Sometimes, new hires try to show off by suggesting changes in policy right off the bat. This isn’t the best way to make a good impression on your first day. Simply put, it comes off as arrogant. Don’t try to change the system before you get a working knowledge of the one in place. You still have a lot to learn, and it’s best to keep your mouth shut until you’ve gained some credibility with your new employer. Besides, people are naturally resistant to change, and if you push your innovative ideas too soon, people may come to resist or even resent you.

Ask questions

The first people to evaluate your performance are your trainers, and asking them about the job is a great way to demonstrate interest and make a good impression on your first day. However, don’t make inquiries about stuff you already know, as you’re likely to come off as a slow learner. Instead, try to confirm some of the key information, relating specific procedures to the overall chain of production. That way, you can get a glimpse of the big picture. Also, make sure to take notes so that the trainers know you’re paying attention.

Be personable

A professional attitude can only take you so far. If you want to make a good impression on your first day, it’s important that you present yourself as a sociable, well-rounded person as well as an efficient worker. That’s why you should always greet your new colleagues with a friendly smile and a firm handshake. The idea is to project confidence and warmth. Keep in mind, however, that senior employees are often wary of new hires, so don’t try to fit in too quickly. Take the time to absorb the company culture before making yourself a part of it.

Source: askmen,com