Are you wondering what to do when starting a new job? You may feel a lot of pressure and anxiety as your first day at the new job approaches. So, here are tips for starting a new job.

Before your first day

Now that you know your reporting date, you should get ready for your first day. Here is what you need to do before you report to work.

Research the company

Researching the company is one of the first things to do before starting a new job. The first place to start is the company’s website, especially the About Us page. You will learn about the key members of the team and the company’s philosophy. You can likely expect to receive an employee handbook detailing what is required in terms of dress code from both a professional and safety standpoint. If you haven’t received a handbook or guide to uniform and dress code requirements, make sure you request one from your employee. This will ensure you’re well prepared for day one of your new job, and also demonstrates to your employers that you’re prepared and able to take the initiative.

Plan your outfit

Your first day at work is your opportunity to leave a positive impression on your coworkers and management. One of the things to do before starting a new job is to make sure that you have everything required of the company dress code. This can include:

• Safety gear — While some safety gear may be provided to you in a role, other items such as steel capped boots or appropriate closed toe shoes you will need to source for yourself. For items like hi-vis gear, you may need to confirm your size with your new employer so they can provide this to you. Make sure you have your measurements ready to go if this is the case, and that you’ve purchased any necessary safety gear before your first day so you can hit the ground running.
• Appropriate grooming — No matter what the role or industry, attending to proper grooming and presenting yourself in the best light possible is important when starting a new job. Getting a fresh haircut and ensuring your nails are trimmed and clean are both great ideas.
• Your company’s standards of dress — Even in non customer facing roles, some companies dictate dress code preferences around dyeing your hair certain colours, the type of makeup that is considered acceptable, displaying visible tattoos and more. If you’re not sure whether your personal presentation is acceptable, it’s always best to double check this before your first day.
• Casual wear — Casual wear should be comfortable but not offensive. Your clothes should not have improper pictures, terms, or words.
• Company uniform — Many companies in the hospitality and engineering industries usually provide uniforms for their employees. Before your first workday, you should reach out to the manager to have your uniforms shipped to you.

Practise the commute

One of the biggest tips for starting a new job? Be punctual. You should practise the commute in advance to identify potential unforeseen circumstances such as train delays and traffic, so you master the route and don’t get lost.

Arriving at least 15 minutes earlier than normal will also give you extra time to locate your new workplace and settle in.

The first day at work

Your first day at work is all about learning about your new workplace and finding your place in the ecosystem. However, it is prudent to have a balanced mindset to not put too much pressure on yourself. Here are things you will do during your first day at work.

Introduce yourself

Introduce yourself to your new workmates on your first day to foster friendly relationships and receive vital guidance as you begin the new job.

It is essential to include your job title and name when introducing yourself. If the workplace culture is relaxed, you can also include additional information about your hobbies, interests, and career to get better acquainted.

Some organisations do have orientation programs. A senior employee will take you around and introduce you to your new workmates. You can use this opportunity to ask questions to learn more about your new work and workmates.

Ask questions

Asking questions is one of the best ways to learn more about your new job. Be mindful not to jump ahead and ask too many questions, as it’s only your first day, and you are bound to learn more throughout your training with each passing day. You should only enquire about the essential things during your first day. For instance, asking about the preferred mode of communication, who you report to, and what decisions you can make on your own is helpful.

You can ask these questions in the form of an email. In addition, taking notice of a friendly colleague and asking them out for lunch or coffee is helpful to learn more about the workplace over a friendly meal.

First week

During the first week, you will make new friends and identify the organisation’s challenges and opportunities. You will also begin to understand how your skills can help grow the company. Here is what you should do during the first week at work.

Practise self-care

The new work experience may be exhausting and stressful. Therefore, it is important to practise self-care to meet your mental, physical, and emotional needs. Some of the things you can do to boost your productivity include:

• Staying hydrated by drinking a lot of water throughout the day
• Taking on projects or tasks that you can complete
• Using your breaks to rejuvenate and detoxify
• Eating a healthy diet and staying away from junk food
• Meditating and doing yoga in the evenings and mornings
• Doing moderate or low-intensity workout exercises
• Ensuring that you get at least eight hours of sleep each day

Know how to navigate the workplace

Be aware of key locations in the new workplace, such as elevators, stairs, and restrooms. It would also be good to know where the coffee or water machines are and if there is a dedicated dining area to engage with other employees across different departments.

Check the navigation map, often located at the reception, to familiarise yourself with the layout of your new place of employment. The orientation program may also include a tour of the whole workplace, including visits to key amenities. Alternatively, you can ask your colleagues to show you around.

During the first month

You should be able to settle in your new workplace by the end of the first month. Here is what you should do during that month.

Set good habits and get organised

Great work habits will impress your superiors and enhance your productivity. In general, you should work hard, always show interest, and act professionally. You should also be punctual, meet deadlines, take the initiative, and admit your mistakes.

Being organised is also the key to accelerating your career and achieving your long-term goals. You can do this by making priorities, managing your time well, and using planners and calendars. In addition, reducing clutter and consolidating related assignments can help to organise your work.

Challenge yourself and set boundaries

Challenging yourself is a good way to bring out the best in you. To this end, you should get out of your comfort zone and be competitive. Moreover, try to be independent and achieve targets on your own.

While you should be social and embrace teamwork when starting a new job, you must also set some boundaries. All your work relationships should be professional, and you should only delegate work when appropriate.

You can do it

Using these tips for starting a new job will help you to settle in quickly in your role. In addition, you should work with a professional recruiting company that can take your career to the next level. Omni Recruit can help you with insights about the latest hiring trends as well as the companies that need new employees. We also provide personalised career advice. Contact us for more information.