Starting a new job can be daunting. New boss. New colleagues. New place.
With ample preparation and a steely determination, you can ace your first week on the job and set yourself up for a happy and successful career at your new company.
Sure, you’re not going to be completely nerve-free on your first day. Following this handy guide for your first week on the job, might help to dissipate some of those nerves and give you some handy tips on how to impress.
Absorb Everything
Imagine yourself as a sponge. Soak up all the interesting, essential and mundane elements of the new job.
You’ll likely get introduced to loads and people and handed loads of information about the company, such as:
- what the working culture is like
- what different communication styles they use
- which projects are causing problems
- any office politics
- what your department and the company’s goals are
Phew, that’s a lot to take in! Remember, as the weeks and months go by you’ll learn more about different areas of the company and settle in to shared routines.
So don’t fret if you don’t understand various procedures and practices by the end of your first week on the job. You’ll get there, and hopefully you’ll meet some nice work mates who will help you along the way.
Top tip: to make friends and get to know the company better, join in on informal events like work drinks, sports teams and other clubs. However, don’t overcommit… make sure you balance your schedule to avoid becoming overwhelmed and burnt out.
Ask Lots of Questions
Get yourself up to speed with the inner-workings of your department and the company.
Don’t worry – people will expect questions, even welcome them! Asking more questions is a clear sign you’re engaged and excited to start your new position.
Take down detailed notes on the processes you’ll be working with if this is helps you retain information.
As mentioned, you will likely be overloaded with information during your first week on the job, so carrying a notepad and pen to jot down bits of information will help you remember things that will later become second nature.
Offer to Help
Sinking your teeth into a project on your first week on the job is a perfect way to make a great first impression.
Offering to help out on projects shows initiative and interest. Just remember, you know your stuff – that’s why they hired you!
Engaging with projects and teams during your first week is a great way to build a rapport with colleagues and your manager. You’ll learn more about how things are done and get to grips with any procedures much quicker by engaging in live projects.
Similarly, if you are offered advice or help, don’t turn it down. You might know your stuff but you’ll be learning the ropes during your first week on the job.
Refusing assistance on your first week might make you come across as cocky or rude.
A voluntary helping hand is a great way to bond with your new team mates. It will also help you gain valuable insight about the expectations of your specific role – learning from a seasoned employee will ultimately help you understand how to do your work more efficiently.
Find a Mentor
During your first week on the job, it might be a good idea to find a trained, knowledgeable, and experienced colleague to shadow.
Sometimes, your department manager will have already assigned someone to show you around, but if not look for a likeable, proactive and confident team member. Ask them for any tips, tricks and advice about the role.
You’ll learn a lot quicker if you have an experienced person to learn from.
However, asking a colleague to take a week or more out of their schedule to assist or train you, can sometimes be a big ask. So don’t rely on your mentor for instruction.
Take your own initiative on some tasks – this will probably impress them and help you form a better relationship.
Be sensitive to the time your mentor is taking out of their days in your first week on the job.
Top tip: ask a variety of people to help you during your first week. This takes the strain of helping from one person and distributes it to the whole team. You’ll also learn a wider variety of processes from those who have differing roles.
Check in With Your Boss
Keep your boss informed of your progress during your first week on the job.
Of course, they will probably check in with your too, but taking the initiative and organising your own meeting or quick chat will reflect well on you.
Discuss what you’ve been doing, what you’ve enjoyed and what you’re still unsure of. Great things to ask:
- if there are any additional tasks that need doing
- if you can get feedback on any tasks you may as performed
- if there are any upcoming projects in a certain area that you could get involved with
They are sure to give you advice and answer most of the questions you’ve got. You’ll come across as very proactive and will set a good standard for future communication.
Forming a good relationship with your boss will be beneficial for the months of years you’ll be working together.
Good luck on your first week on the job! Hopefully this handy guide better prepares you for working life at your new company. Remember, be yourself and keep engaging with those around you.