Congratulations, it’s the first day at your new job! With nerves understandably at play as you step into an unfamiliar workplace, how do you make the best first impression?
Besides getting familiar with your job scope and the background of your company, it’s crucial to demonstrate appropriate social skills and professional behaviour. Here are five tips to help you make a positive start as a newbie.
1. Know when to observe and when to ask questions
Employers generally don’t expect new hires to be 100% ready for the job on day one. But this doesn’t mean you should spend the whole day going through the employee handbook over and over again.
To make the most of your first day, take the time to learn practical knowledge from your colleagues or leader through observation, such as the proper workflow or how to respond to calls. Raise questions to clarify things that are relevant to your assigned tasks. When in doubt, seek advice from your peers.
Prior to commencement day, list down questions you’d like to ask based on your job description, for instance pertaining to KPIs. Just don’t ask things that are obvious or which you can find out on your own.
2. Get to know your team
If you are joining a big corporation, it may take a while to talk to everyone personally, so start with your own team first.
Expressing your enthusiasm for the job may be the best way to resonate with your teammates. You should also mention your role while getting to know the parts played by others.
That said, don’t get carried away with your talking to the point that you distract them from their work. Save non-related matters and casual chit-chat for lunchtime, which are opportune for making new friends.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t find yourself gelling with others on day one; give yourself one to two weeks to effectively blend in with the team.
3. Adapt to the office culture
One factor that directly affects your career satisfaction is office culture. So don’t forget to observe the environment while settling in.
However strict or relaxed your company might be, embrace it as the office is going to be your new home – at least for those few hours when you are at work.
As you get used to the way things are done, you can suggest improvements later on. If you are not comfortable with some rules, don’t hesitate to raise concerns with your manager. Don’t let it fester until it becomes unbearable.
4. Convey a positive attitude
It doesn’t matter if you are a fresh graduate or a senior executive – one rule of thumb is to stay humble and agreeable. By all means, show confidence, but don’t be a do-it-all and know-it-all… at least, not on your first day.
During your onboarding session, there may be things you already know, but don’t interrupt the induction. Show you are a good listener who is able to take directions and learn procedures well.
5. Fully understand your responsibilities
Although you have already been told what is expected of you, it’s wise to review your job description during the onboarding process, and ask questions if anything is unclear.
If you lack the confidence to do something by yourself, be sure to request for further guidance or training.
You can also suggest taking on tasks that are not stated in your job scope if you have the expertise. Demonstrating initiative and eagerness to do more can only leave a good impression on your superiors.
This article first appeared in jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.