“We are very pleased to be able to offer you the position! Congratulations!” It all started with this sentence. The employment contract has already been signed and you have had enough time to realize that you have prevailed over your competitors and landed your dream job. The first day of work is just around the corner. There are a few things you need to do to get your new job off to a good start.
1. Punctuality
Punctuality on the first day of work is the be-all and end-all. Nothing makes a worse impression than being late on the first day! There are many factors that can affect your punctuality. Most people travel to work by train or car. Here it can always happen that you get stuck in traffic, the train is late or even cancels completely. Of course, you have no influence on that, but you should take possible delays into account and set off to work earlier. Better too soon than too late is the motto. You can still sit in a local café or stay in the car for a little longer. However, you should not lose sight of the time and make sure that you go to the company in good time.
2. The way to work
The second point goes hand in hand with the first. Find the route to work in advance, for example with the help of Google Maps. You may have to change trains or buses a few times. You should also pay attention to the transfer times. Even if you drive by car, you should check the navigation system’s route beforehand and see how long it takes you and whether there are any special circumstances on the route, for example a construction site. If you still get lost or are generally late, be sure to let your employer know in good time so that he can prepare himself and not be surprised where you are.
3. The right outfit
The question of all questions: What do I wear best? On your first day at work, you should of course wear the right outfit and thus comply with the company’s dress code. Check the company’s website beforehand. If you can’t find any information about this, you can also ask the responsible HR manager. After all, you want to avoid a fashion faux pas on the first day. It also shows that you are willing to adapt to the prevailing style of clothing. You may have received a guide from your new employer that deals with topics such as the dress code and many more. In general, the dress code has changed in many companies. A casual style of clothing is common, especially in start-ups. in other sectors,
4. Outreach
In the first week of work in particular, it is important to establish contact with your new work colleagues. Be sure to introduce yourself to everyone, including your manager, at the beginning. Of course, you won’t be able to remember all the names straight away, so it’s best to write them down. But nobody will take offense if you ask for the name again. Since you will be spending a lot of time with your colleagues, it would be beneficial if you get on well with them. In addition, working with a nice and harmonious team, with whom you can sometimes laugh, is much more fun! For example, if your colleagues go out for a drink after work, definitely go with them! With this you show openness and it results, certainly one or the other conversation,
5. Taking notes
At the beginning, of course, everything is brand new and you are not yet familiar with the way the company works. It is therefore very important that you approach new things with an open mind and are willing to learn. Get a notebook, or maybe there is one in your welcome package, and write down everything important. Every company has its own programs that it uses. At the beginning, one is quickly overwhelmed with the flood of new information and cannot remember everything immediately. What is the exact name of the website where I can process an order? If you use a notebook, you can read it again if necessary and do not have to ask a colleague first.
Hopefully we were able to help you with these tips for your first day at work. Most importantly, just be yourself and don’t try to pretend. Give yourself a little time – in a few weeks you will certainly have settled in well and integrated into the team.