28Apr

New Job? Here's How To Have A Great First Day

Starting a new job? If so, I have some great tips on how you can have a great first day. First of all, let me start out by saying congratulations. The seventeen rough drafts you made of your resume paid off. You nailed the interview and accepted the job. Is the hard part over? Honestly, it’s just beginning. Now you’ve got to show up at your new job and put all your skills on your resume to work. Although you want to contribute right away and get the ball rolling, make sure you take a moment to prepare.  Here are some ways you can get ready for your first day:

  1. Become familiar with your company’s online presence.

You probably glanced over your company’s website before your interview. Now it’s time to give it another detailed look. Consume all of information you can. Do they have a blog? Read it. Subscribe to their email newsletter, follow their social media accounts, download their most recent PDF’s and content. All of this information will help you gain a better understanding of their business as a whole, such as marketing strategies, products and services, customer communications, etc.

  1. Test-drive your commute

The weekend before your first day on the job, take out some time in your day to test-drive to work. Take into account anything you may do daily on your way into work, such as your daily Starbucks run, Dunkin Donuts stop, etc. Practicing your route will reduce the possibility of you getting lost or not knowing where to park. Also, keep in mind that traffic may be heavier during the rush hour commute versus on the weekend, so give yourself extra time for this. You’ll thank yourself later.

  1. Plan out your outfit

Clarify with your manager prior to starting what the dress code is. You don’t want to show up on your first day in a t-shirt and jeans when they expect collared shirt and slacks. Lay out what you’re going to wear the night before your first day, and try it on! You’ll feel much more confident if you’re wearing something you feel comfortable in. Also, you won’t be spending extra time screaming in the mirror at yourself in the morning

  1. Pay attention to your body language

Body language can have a huge impact on how others see us and how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy, shows how “power posing”, which refers to standing in a posture of confidence, can impact our chances for success. Ask yourself, “What is my body language saying to you?” or “Is my body language reflecting confidence in myself?”  Slumping over or crossing your arms when talking to someone can send off the wrong vibes. Take a few minutes before your first day to look in the mirror and practice your confident poses.

  1. Don’t overthink it

Remember that you were hired for a reason. You stood out among the other candidates and your new boss really believes in you. All of your previous experiences have been preparing you for this moment, so, don’t get too caught up in preparing that you psych yourself out before your start. Get plenty of sleep the night before, and remember that everyone is excited to meet you in the morning. All you can do is be yourself. Remain confident and friendly and make them remember why they hired you.

This is the start of a new exciting chapter in your life. You will be challenged in ways you have not before. When times get hard, remember that you’re there for a reason and you have the skills to do the job. Use these tips to prepare for your first day and watch how smooth it goes!

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