Beginning a new job is both exciting and daunting, thrilling and anxiety-inducing. But let’s look on the bright side— you made it through the interview process, and now you’re hired!
But the first days and weeks at your new company can be the most influential and important ones of your career within that business, so it’s a good idea to make the most of it. Read on for 30 tips on how to start a new job successfully!
1. Dress for Success
Remember that the type of outfit you wore for your interview might not be considered appropriate workplace attire. Some offices require professional business dress, but others are more casual, allowing jeans and company t-shirts. Make sure you know what kinds of clothing are acceptable in the office and stick to it.
You may not know what is considered acceptable business attire until your first day on the job when you meet your coworkers or look over the employee handbook. So for your first day, consider dressing more professionally to make a good first impression.
2. Plan Your Commute
Planning your journey to work well in advance is a good idea, not only for your first day on the job but for subsequent commutes as well. For example, don’t forget to plan for the wintertime and possible snowy road closures, as well.
3. Be Punctual
Showing up on time or even earlier sends a good signal to your managers and those you work with. Plus, if you leave the house with plenty of time to spare, traffic jams or detours will not stress you out nearly as much.
4. Introduce Yourself
Make sure you are frequent with the personal introductions so that people know who you are and what your role in the company is. This will also help you feel more at home in this new position.
5. Try to Remember Everyone’s Names
It’s a harrowing moment: one of your new coworkers has just said hello, but you can’t remember their name. But try not to feel overwhelmed by recalling everyone’s name at first, and be honest if you can’t figure it out.
People will understand if you don’t get the names right at the beginning— just make sure you make a concerted effort to remember them in the future.
6. Set Realistic Expectations
You might want to be one of the top earners at your new company within a few months, but make sure these expectations are both realistic and achievable. You don’t want to work yourself to the bone over an unrealistic goal.
7. Become Familiar With Your Team
You will likely be working alongside these people for the foreseeable future, so it’s important to get to know them. Ask about their hobbies and families, and always be polite. The better you know your coworkers and vice versa, the more likely you will all work together, both efficiently and effectively.
8. Try to Relax
It can be difficult but try not to let the stress of your new job get to you too much. Relax, trust in yourself, and don’t forget— the company has hired you, so they already like you!
9. Be Polite
Being kind to people around you should always be your initial consideration. The nicer and more polite you are to them, the better your relationships will inevitably be, whether you are at work or elsewhere.
10. Ask the Right Questions
Most queries are welcomed when you are starting a new job, but make sure they are the right questions to ask at the appropriate time. Think about the situation and if you can get the information yourself, and prioritize your requests accordingly.
11. Believe In Yourself
Even if you don’t feel completely confident in your job yet, don’t forget to actively and truly believe in yourself. You have what it takes to succeed— they wouldn’t have hired you otherwise!
12. Organize Yourself Well
As with most aspects of life, it’s essential to make your workspace, calendar, and personal interactions as structured and organized as possible. This will eliminate time wasted on trying to find a form or missing an appointment.
13. Ask For Feedback
When you are just starting a new job, getting feedback from seasoned employees can be invaluable to making your work better, so don’t be afraid to ask your supervisor or coworkers how you are doing.
14. Take Initiative
Though your primary role will undoubtedly be to take care of the tasks and projects assigned to you, it’s also a good idea to take the initiative and speak up if you have an idea or a solution to a problem.
15. Avoid Office Gossip
Workplace environments can be a perfect storm when it comes to breeding office gossip. It’s best to keep yourself out of the drama and avoid choosing sides or giving opinions on matters that don’t involve you.
16. Confirm Your Employer’s Expectations— And Go Beyond
During the first few weeks of your new job, it’s a great time to not only confirm what your employer saw in you to make them hire you but also to go beyond those expectations! Give them a reason to be proud of their hiring decision.
17. Practice Extra Self Care
Starting a new job is difficult, and it will take a toll on you. So, take extra care of your mental, emotional, and physical health for the first little while at your job to ensure you are always at your top form!
18. Consider Your Flexibility
While you might not want to work late every day, consider being flexible at the beginning to give yourself enough time to settle in. Leave enough room in your schedule to accommodate longer hours.
Just make sure you have solid boundaries for your own mental and emotional wellbeing, and enforce them politely but firmly.
19. Establish Positive Work Habits
By figuring out a good routine that lets you get things done and also have enough downtime to recharge, you can establish positive and healthy work habits that will serve you well for years to come.
20. Do a Test Run of All Tech
Never trust technology to work flawlessly, least of all during your first few days at work. Ensure your internet connection, software updates, messaging applications, and other essentials are all running smoothly.
21. Find Friends at Work
Having a work buddy can be a great addition to your professional life. Ask a colleague to join you for lunch or bring coffee for your whole team. Making friends at work can be easy and rewarding!
22. Get To Know Your Manager
While you might not feel it appropriate to try and strike up a direct friendship with your supervisors, it’s still a good idea to show interest in them and their lives outside of work to foster a beneficial and healthy relationship with your manager.
23. Fit Into Your New Work Environment
It will likely be a dramatic shift when you begin your new job, but it’s best to try and integrate with the company environment as quickly and easily as possible.
24. Keep an Open Mind
Each workplace is going to differ from your last experience, so keeping an open mind about the place, people, and procedures that make up your new position is essential to fitting in and staying sane.
25. Listen Twice as Much as You Speak
It’s a good general rule of thumb, but by listening as much as possible, you can learn an incredible amount of valuable advice about the company and the services you provide!
26. Keep In Contact With Previous Colleagues
It can be good to update coworkers from your previous job about how you are settling in and progressing in this new role. Maintaining these professional connections is important in the business world.
27. Sort Out Your Benefits
Whether it’s your 401(k), your healthcare plan such as dental and vision, sick leave, holidays, or paid time off, it’s important to iron out your company benefits as soon as possible.
28. Learn About the Company’s Culture
Company culture generally refers to the organization’s values, beliefs, and personality as a whole. Learning about it can help you understand the people you work for and alongside and how to contribute to it yourself.
29. Understand the Company Structure
The more you understand the company structure, the better suited you are to identify opportunities for growth and promotion within your role and your overall career.
30. Check Out the Company’s Social Media Policy
Some companies have a strict social media use policy for their employees, so it’s best to ask about such constraints before posting anything on your platforms. Additionally, check your privacy settings to ensure your safety.