Starting a New Job
Are you starting a new job soon? As with anything else, you'll want to get off on the right foot. People form impressions very quickly - often in as little as thirty seconds - so it's important that you quickly establish yourself as someone who can fit in and do a good job.
So what can you do to help make your transition smooth if you are starting a new job? The secret lies in what you do in the days before you walk in the door on your first day. That's right - starting a new job on the right note is all about planning.
The first thing to do is spend some time doing some research about your new employer. Learn all you can about the company - this can include their product lines, their company philosophy, their corporate culture, and so on.
Check out their website, talk to other people in the industry if you have the chance, look for press releases, anything you can do to familiarize yourself with the company before you arrive will make you look keen, smart, interested.
If you are moving to a company in the same industry in which you are already working, you might be able to use your existing network to see if anyone knows any of your future co-workers. You could then ask that person to introduce you to them prior to your first day, so that when you walk through the door on your first day there is already someone in the company that you know.
The way you look is also of vital importance - different companies have different dress codes, so be sure to get it right. If you're not sure, you can call and ask what is appropriate, or even stop by to check what people are wearing. Whatever the company dress code, err on the side of caution to start with - wear your most conservative outfits for the first week or so until you are absolutely clear what the rules are.
Punctuality is another big factor in first impressions, so you'll want to be on time for your first day. The only way to do this for sure is to do a dry run - travel the route at the same time you'll be going to work so you know how long it takes and where the potential problems are, know some alternate routes in case there's heavy traffic or your train is delayed, and allow yourself a few extra minutes.
