You may well be nervous, but you are not alone. Even seasoned IT professionals who have had many jobs ask themselves these same questions on the first day of a new job. These unknowns can make your first day seem like a daunting proposition. In any field, few things are as nerve-racking as the first day on the job. The key to survival is to keep your perspective on what the real issues are and separate those from the issues you create yourself. There are many unknowns and many pressures, some are real, but most are not. The next few sections discuss some important things to remember.
First Impressions
Some of the stress on the first day of work comes from the realization that you are making a first impression. As you all know, first impressions are lasting, which makes them very important. The way people respond to you depends greatly on how you respond to them. A smile, a firm handshake, and a generally cheery demeanor is the best way to say, "Hi, I'm new and pleased to be here." You can impress them with your razor wit and sarcasm some other time. Remember, a good first impression is easy to make, a bad one can take a while to repair.
Creating a good first impression is not difficult. The following suggestions can help you get off on the right foot:
- Pleased to meet you-Try to remember and use the names of the people you were introduced to. This sounds easy, but can sometimes be difficult, especially when you are being introduced to a large number of people in a short period of time. Remembering peoples' names makes you appear respectful and polite. Your new colleagues will notice if you have taken the time to learn and remember their names. It is an easy way to make a positive impression.
- There's a time and a place-Do not be overly eager to show your knowledge and attempt to improve on the existing way of doing things. You will have the opportunity to show your worth soon enough, but on the first day, it is best to take a back seat. Observe the way things are currently done and understand that there may be good reasons why they are done in those ways. Listen to explanations, but resist the temptation to give your opinion. As the old saying goes, "You have two eyes, two ears, and one mouth." Use them in that order.
- Don't be afraid to ask-If something is explained to you that you don't understand, ask for clarification. Rather than making you seem inept, asking for clarification on some matters, shows you are interested and want to learn.Your first day on the job is an ideal time to ask questions. It is far better to ask certain questions on the first day rather than several months down the road. A wise man once said, "The only type of stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked."
- You are what you wear-You will find that the correct company dress code is somewhere between a tuxedo and jeans and T-shirt. The way you dress on the job often has an impact on how coworkers, clients, and supervisors view you. Dress is another easy way to make a good impression. If you are unsure of what the dress code is, phone or email your new employer and ask. It is a reasonable request. If you are unable to do this and are unsure of what to wear, then play it safe and wear smart business attire.
- Establish a positive attitude-Colleagues are more likely to want to be around and work with someone positive. Be quick to talk with people and find out what they do and what role they perform in the company. Be equally slow to tell others of your accomplishments or achievements.
- Remember what is expected-Although it may not feel like it, the expectations on the first day of the job are minimal. As one seasoned IT manager proclaims, "The first day is about finding out where the washroom and the coffee machine are."
Your First Week
With the stress of the first day behind you, you are ready to get down to business. By the end of your first week, you should be starting to feel a little more settled and have a good idea of what is expected of you on a personal and professional level.You are likely to have had the opportunity to get to know your supervisor, coworkers, users, and clients.
The following list contains a few suggestions to remember during your first week:
- Maintain a positive attitude towards the job-It is never a good idea for the new employee to be negative about the job or the tasks given, especially in the first few weeks of a job. As a new employee, it is likely you will be given a lot of the undesirable, grunt work tasks. Do them with a smile. If all works as it should, one day you will be delegating such tasks to someone else. Be friendly and show a willingness to learn.
- Gain an understanding of procedures and routines-The first week you will be exposed to the internal procedures of the new job. Get to know how inter-office communication works, how to complete timesheets,, and how to operate the phones according to company procedures. Knowledge of the day-to-day routines can make your job easier.
