Hi there Terry here from DotPointz.
today we're going to talk about 8 tips to help
you get ready for your first day in a new job. So tip number one and I know
that the way life goes this isn't always possible but do your very best the night
before you start a new job to get a good night's sleep eight hours minimum so
that you wake up you feel refreshed and you're ready to face a new day in a new
job and you can make a really great impression you're going to be bombarded
as you know almost everyone starting a new job you're going to be bombarded
with names, faces , details, information about the company, about your role
about expectations about all these things and you want to be at your best and I
can't emphasize enough that sleep is a really important part of that and so get
a good night's sleep it's that simple and you will be so grateful that you did
when you faced this onslaught of a first day news and and nerves and people and
all those things. The second thing that I would recommend is that you get an idea
of the dress code before you start your first day and that you dress
slightly above that and the reason I say that is it's always easy to take your
jacket off for example but if you walk in on your first day and you haven't
quite hit the mark right then it's really awkward you feel uncomfortable.
Now I suppose I'm talking more to women here because it's it's a lot harder I
believe for a woman I mean with men you either wear a suit or you're wearing
smart casual and that's about it really
but with women are we going to wear a dress suit are we going to wear a shirt
with a collar on no collar are we going to wear jewelry are we going to wear a
skirt are we... girls you get me right? So just dress slightly above
it's more of a problem if you're below the dress code and you don't hit that
mark right so make sure you do that.
The next thing I would say is be really
careful about your choice of cologne or perfume and in fact I would
recommend you don't wear any. People especially in enclosed offices if you're
sharing with others or even in an open-plan a strong cologne or perfume
can really offend others. A lot of people these days have allergies, sensitivities
and so you really don't want to do that on your first day and I suggest you just
cut the Cologne unless you've got some sort of
body odour problem but cut it because you don't want to leave a room
and have your cologne still be there. Personally, I have a really sensitive
nose I've had to ask a couple of colleagues not to wear florals really
strong if they sit near me it's you know it's offensive and unfortunately if a
person can't breathe because of your cologne. So it's a simple thing just
don't wear it on that day wear something very very very mild believe me you will
make a stronger impression without it if you work with it. The next thing I would
suggest is that you arrive early yes but don't arrive too early it's really
annoying I have to say it's really annoying when you arrive too early
because somebody is preparing to meet you on your first day and remember if
you've been asked to arrive at nine o'clock whoever's there to meet you has
been there I don't know since eight o'clock trying to do a few things on
their own plate before you arrive because they're going to induct you so
you're arriving at 8:30 for a nine o'clock start it's not helpful and I
would suggest that even arriving at 8:45 for a nine o'clock start, it's still not
helpful as people need their time to prep and you'll only be left in
reception or or downstairs or whatever the case may be until they're ready
and you put them under a bit of pressure. So make sure that you are early and I
would suggest five minutes early is sufficient. really it is. You show
that yes you can be early and even early on time but you're considerate of not
infringing upon the time of the people who are there to greet you. The next
thing I would recommend on day one is you're gonna meet a whole bunch of
people so what I suggest you do is when you're introduced to somebody rather
than be the quiet mouse and just say hi which is what 99% of people I observe do
on the first day say hello what what is it that you do that might relate to my
current role and it actually helps on a number of ways it helps start discussion.
So they might say actually my role has very little to do with your role but
it's lovely and meet you anyway in which case you know and you start to position
people in terms of who you need to deal with a lot or they might say well I
deliver this part of the project which is upline from the part of the project
that you're working on and then you know that your ability to make deadlines is
dependent upon this person who's earlier on in the project with you so it's
really helpful information and it helps you imprint that information as you're
in that sort of flurry of people and phases on day one helps you imprint that
information so remember that question "hi what is it that you do that might relate
to my role?" and then get that conversation started. The next thing I
would say about day one is just just a warning it's it's human behavior we all
do it I've done it I'm not perfect at this but you'll notice in a large office
in particular that people don't tend to say hello if they haven't been formally
introduced to you so people can just smile and what right past you and they
feel awkward because no one's introduced you and they feel like somebody should
so just know they're not rude
they're just feeling awkward and so what you can do is if it's a face that you
have not seen that day just say hi my name is Terry I've started today what's
your name and then it just opens up the conversation. So just understand that
people don't mean to be rude they just feel awkward when no one has
introduced the two of you so you've got to make your way through those
introductions sometimes yourself and it shows really good proactivity if you do it.
The next thing I would suggest is that you make really good use of your
first meeting with your manager and you're likely to have that on day one
and by that I mean ask lots of questions get really clear on what his
or her priorities are for you in week 1 week 2, month 1 and even up to 6 weeks if
needed depending on your type of role. It's that one-on-one time, it sets
you up for the first few weeks ask lots of questions
take lots of notes make sure on that day 1 that you have a pen and a notepad and
just go for it and write notes and so you want to get
really clear on what your managers priorities are and you
know even come to that a little bit like you're prepared for the job interview
come to that meeting with questions about their management style and how
they like to best relate to their direct reports and how do they like how do they
like reports to be submitted to them what's their preferred method of
communication so these are all things that you can think of to prepare for
that very first meeting with your manager which is so important because
yes you've got that job but you're making lots of first impressions on day
one and the one that you make on the person you directly report to is
incredibly important so be prepared for it.
The last thing I would suggest is on your first day
don't be the shy retiring type. Smile at people look them right in the eye and be
really genuine that you're happy to be there that you are
happy to have this particular job and that you're happy to know them. These
people you know people in general find it hard to let a new person in until
they warm to them. Make that really easy for them by just being really genuine,
open, smile a lot and ask people about them. You heard that in a lot
of settings and it's the same in the workplace if you talk about ask
questions about them and their role in their enjoyment of the role then you
start conversations with people. People love talking about themselves we all do
and so when you are meeting and establishing those early relationships just smile on
day one and mean it.
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