The first day at a new job is usually daunting, but Lisa Earle McLeod has advice on how to turn this difficult time to your advantage.
Congratulations, you got the job!
Now it’s time for you to actually start working.
A first day at a new job can feel like drinking from a fire hose, new names, tons of projects, systems, policies, etc.
Depending on the organisation, you might spend your first day in a great on-boarding experience; or you might be stuck in a room with an HR manual, or you might just be thrown into work.
Regardless of how your organisation handles your first day experience you can start strong by creating a plan for success on your own.
Whether it’s your first job, or you’re taking on a senior role, here are five things to help you rock your first day of work.
Know the names and faces:
This is where LinkedIn will be your friend.
The sea of people on your first day is super overwhelming.
Looking up people who work there will give you a jumpstart.
Learn the organisation’s story:
You probably have already done research during the interview process. Take it further now.
Make sure you’ve read the annual report and chief executive’s message, learn the projects, and know who the clients are.
Whatever your role, you should understand critical success points.
Map out the logistics:
Make sure you know where to park and what to wear.
Elizabeth, my older daughter and business partner, reminds me of her faux pas in her first restaurant job.
She says: “I was 17, and very excited.
“I showed up, parked in front, and walked in and it wasn’t until halfway through the day, I realised all the other employees parked out the back.”
Most managers will give you the lowdown, if they don’t, ask.
When I started my first job, my father wisely told me to drive the route the week before in peak traffic, so I’d know what to expect.
Pre Google maps, this advice was extremely helpful.
Even today, driving your commute during rush hour a time or two, and navigating the parking will give you more confidence on your first day.
Your brain won’t be preoccupied processing details about which turn to take.
Ask the smart questions:
Before asking a million questions, give your manager, or whoever is training you, the opportunity to speak first.
A lot of organisations have amazing on-boarding programs, and you might be surprised how many of your burning questions they end up answering really quickly.
That said, if you don’t understand something, ask.
People are a lot more forgiving in your first few days than they are three months down the road if they realise you’ve been doing it wrong the whole time.
Be coachable:
You don’t have to prove you know everything on the first day.
A lot of people make the mistake of trying to impress others quickly by demonstrating their knowledge.
Instead, the early days are more about listening and learning.
Pay attention, take direction, and be thankful to whoever is taking the time to train you.
You can assimilate the information into stellar performance quickly if you’re coachable.
You only get one chance at a first impression.
Do your homework, and show up ready to rock it.
*Lisa Earle McLeod created the popular business concept Noble Purpose. She is the author of Leading with Noble Purpose and can be contacted at mcleodandmore.com.
This article first appeared on Lisa’s blogsite
