Congratulations on your new job! A new role and all new people to learn names and positions. But you still have to make an impression—and fast—if you want to fit in with the rest of the team. Luckily, we’ve got some tips on how to show up looking polished and professional from day one.
Do your research
- Research the company and people you will be working with.
- Research the job role.
- Research the industry and market you are entering, including competitors, trends, opportunities and threats within it.
Be on time when in a new job
- Be on time for your first day.
- Be on time for all subsequent days.
- Be on time for meetings, phone calls and other appointments. If you have an appointment with someone in the company (such as a boss), then be at least five minutes early so that you can greet them and look over their desk before they arrive. This will show them that you’re serious about making a good impression–and it’ll also give them an opportunity to see how well-prepared you are!
- When it comes to being punctual, there’s no room for error: never be late (or early) by more than five minutes; otherwise people might think that this is how things are going to be from now on–and they won’t take kindly to being kept waiting unnecessarily.”
Be smart and proactive
- Be proactive. The best way to impress in a new job is by being proactive, meaning you are doing the things that need to be done before they’re asked of you (and even if they aren’t).
- Ask questions. Asking questions shows that you want to learn more about your role and how it fits into the bigger picture of the company’s goals, which will make everyone happy!
- Understand the job description and your manager’s expectations for success–and then exceed them!
- Asking for help when needed shows confidence in yourself as an employee who can handle whatever comes their way at work without falling apart under pressure or feeling overwhelmed by anything challenging thrown their way during the course of daily operations within any given organization’s walls.”
Make an impression with your work, not your clothes and accessories
- Be confident and professional. You’re the new kid on the block, so you might be feeling a little nervous about making a good impression. But don’t let that show! If you can act like someone who’s been there before, it will make everyone else feel more comfortable around you and less likely to scrutinize every move (and outfit) that comes out of your mouth.
- Dress for the job you want, not the one you have–at least until after your first few weeks on-site or in-class. Your coworkers may be used to dressing casually at work; they’ll probably appreciate being given some leeway when it comes time for them to get dressed up themselves (as long as they don’t go overboard). Plus, if this is an office job where everyone wears suits every day anyway? Well then all bets are off! Just remember: no matter how casual or formal an environment may seem from afar, always err on the side of professionalism when deciding what clothes are appropriate for wearing at work each day.* Be prepared to work hard…but also willing to learn from others around you.* Be willing to ask questions…and listen carefully when others offer advice.* Take on new challenges!
Take care of yourself and do great work in anew job
- Be yourself, but be the best version of yourself.
- Be friendly and approachable.
- Remember that every job has its own culture, so don’t try to change who you are just because it’s a new environment. You’ll only end up feeling uncomfortable and alienating yourself from colleagues if they see you as too different from them. Be professional in how you carry yourself at work–this means wearing clothes that fit well (no sloppy clothes!), making eye contact when talking with others, smiling when appropriate (and not being fake about it), etcetera ad nauseam ad infinitum… I think we all get the idea by now!
The process of finding a new job can be stressful and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. By following the tips in this article, you’ll be able to make the most of your first day and impress your new coworkers with ease.