So you’ve done it! You sent in your CV, or applied for an internal vacancy, you smashed your job interview and just been offered the position of your dreams. You’ve agreed on a salary, know your start date and now you’re ready to begin! Or, are you? It can be nerve-wracking having to prepare for your first day so we’ve made 'The Definitive Guide to Starting a New Job' to ensure that you are thoroughly prepared. In the past, we have written blogs about self-promotion within your existing company. For more on this take a look at 'How to Promote Yourself at Work' and 'Can Changing Roles Within Your Company Be Better Than Looking For a New Job?'. With these in mind, we would always suggest looking over this article even if you are starting a new role within an existing company. Do not take it for granted that because you already work for the company you don't have to try, never be complacent! Remember, you will probably have new line managers and maybe working within a new team, so be as prepared as you can and start your first day on the front foot. It will only help impress people! Here are the strategies that will give you the best possible start in your new role wherever that may be!
Start Before You ‘Start’
Even before you arrive on your first day, you can prepare in advance. Don’t be afraid to email your new manager to ask if there’s anything you can do before you start your role, or if they recommend any reading. Some companies will have an onboarding strategy in place and ask you to read over documents, data sheets or annual reports so make sure you do this! Also, be sure to double-check where you should report on your first day. By doing this you are setting the groundwork for a smooth adjustment into your new role, and are also signalling to your manager that you are interested in getting the most from your new position.
More Company Research And Connection
Leading on from the last point, I know you did your research on the company for your interview, but have a look over your notes and orientate yourself once again with the company structure, procedures, culture and goals. Drill down into a bit more detail of the company so you feel comfortable with the culture and how they operate. Make some connections on Linkedin with people that work in your team, it's a great way to start relationships before you start the role. This can help with your first-day nerves and again lets your manager know that you have achieved some solid groundwork in your own time. Putting this extra bit of work in before you start can make all the difference!
Plan Your Commute If Hybread Working Or Office Based
You will want to arrive early to work on your first day. To get an accurate depiction of how long the journey will take, you should try and practice the route beforehand. It would be extra beneficial if you can practise during the times you’d actually be travelling when you start your new job. This can really give you a great sense of familiarisation on the day you start. Of course, sometimes elements such as train delays, traffic and other unforeseen circumstances may affect your journey, so try and plan a backup route if possible. Make sure you leave at least 15 minutes earlier on your first day so that you can start early! This means you can say hello to other employees before your induction properly starts. On a side note, if you can, always start your work day early. It is a great way to ease yourself into the working day. There is nothing worse than being plunged into a hectic day as soon as you walk through the door. Starting half hour early, getting a drink, having a chat with people and sitting down with no sense of hurry is a real game changer for morning stress levels.
Remote And Hybread Working Strategy
If you are hybrid or remote working try your remote networking services and software out in advance. If the company has not already set up your system for you, find out what they use and do your homework on it. If you get a chance, play around with it and get comfortable with how it works, get to know it inside out if you can, even if they have not set it up for you! One that is often overlooked is what sort of home networking solution you will be using. Will the system you are using be intensive for your broadband connection? Will it be moving around large graphic files on the remote network? If so, is your current internet service capable of this and will you need to upgrade? Remember, sometimes it can take time to upgrade your service, you don't want to be going weeks with a network that is limping along, so make sure you give yourself time to sort any issues out!
If you are all set up then great, but don't leave it to the first day and switch everything on! Will you be using any new software or video conferencing packages? If so make sure you use them intensively before your start date. There is nothing worse than being on the back foot and fumbling around with the software and remote links last minute. Grubbing around in front of a camera trying to make it all work has the real potential to knock you off your stride, get to know all systmes well! Maybe reach out to one of your future team members on LinkedIn and ask if you can have a test run with them before you start. That way you can ask them a few questions about the software and remote services, you can also ask about the pitfalls as well as getting used to it at the same time. All this homework will lead to you hopefully having a low-stress first day and will make you look like you are on top of your game! Remember, first impressions really do count!
Make Any Appointments In Advance
When you first start a new job, you don’t want to have to take time off immediately for appointments as it can spoil the flow of learning and also it shows you are committed to a strong start. Therefore, if you can, schedule appointments before your new job begins. If you have any appointments that are due after you’re meant to have started work, ask if you can move these appointments forward. If you have any spare time, you may even want to book a hair appointment or anything else that makes you feel and look good before you start – it may just make you feel extra confident and ready to go on your first day!
Plan Your Outfit
During your interview, you probably picked up some ideas about the company culture and its dress code. Even if the dress code does feel quite relaxed, it’s always worth making an extra effort during your first few weeks. Other employees may have already proved themselves to management, so they can get away with a little more, make sure you are a step above the usual dress code. Be sure to plan your outfit in advance, and make sure your clothes fit well and are comfortable for the day ahead. If your clothes are new wear them for a day or two beforehand. There is nothing worse than new shoes rubbing or your clothes being too tight on your first day! Make sure you plan well in advance, this way there are no nasty surprises for you when you start!
If you are remote working do not fall into the habit of wearing the wrong type of clothes. You may have to be involved with video conferencing and you may have to move around in front of the camera. So look good, image is still important even when you are remote working. Also, it is mentally good for you to dress up for your working day, it distinguishes that time period from your normal home time and makes you feel you are in professional mode. All these little details will help you feel good and create a positive impression with your new employer!
Get Your Materials Together
Even if you’ve been told that you don’t need to bring anything in on your first day, it may be worth bringing a notepad and a pen so you can take notes on all the introductory information you receive. This will show your employer that you are organised and determined. Also, if you are not too sure what people do for lunch, bring a packed lunch with you, there is nothing like being prepared for the unexpected! If there is anything your manager has told you to bring, make sure you remember to bring it.
If you are homeworking make sure your home office is stocked with all the essentials you may need. Simple things like your pen running out and you having to hunt the house for ages to find one is a real pain and can put you in a bad mood for the day. We have all been there, we know there are a hundred pens in the house, but when yours runs out, can you find one? Of course not! It's off to the shops to buy a hundred more so you don't lose them only to find when you get home there was one in your coat pocket all along! You know it happens, so just make sure you have all the office basics at hand.
Get Plenty Of Sleep
If you’ve had an irregular sleep schedule, now is the time to get back into a regular sleep pattern. Start going to bed slightly earlier and wake up earlier. By setting a sleep pattern before you officially begin, you will feel better rested when you start your new job. Also, by training your body before you officially start, you can be less worried about sleeping through any alarms on the morning of your first day! Getting the right amount of sleep is scientifically proven to improve your cognitive performance, reduce depression, help you stay on track with good food choices and help your body regenerate cells. If you have suffered from any of these problems in the past and have not considered that sleep could be the problem, then it may be worth looking into this. Monitoring your sleep patterns with a sleep app can give you some great insight into if you need to change things to give your body better performance. See how much quality sleep you are getting, if it's not enough then there are lots of tactics to help with longer restorative sleep. Be on top of your performance, be on top of your sleep!
Make the Most of Your Time Off
If you are lucky enough to have some time off before your new job begins, use it to your advantage. You may need to run errands such as grocery shopping or need to clean your whole house, so now is the time to do it. But, if you have some extra time, enjoy yourself! When you begin your new job, you’re going to be busy! So use the time before you start to catch up with friends and family or do things you won’t be able to do when you start. Be kind to yourself and your body and don't go out on a bender a few nights before you start! Do some restorative activities, like getting out and exploring nature, country walking, yoga, or just plain rest up with a cuppa and watch some good movies!
Conclusion
So, now you are ready! Remember, the devil really is in the detail, actioning all these strategies will make your new start as smooth as can be. It will give you the best opportunity to shine and not feel nervous on your first day, confident in the fact that you have left no stone unturned. Starting your role on a positive footing really will bring you peace of mind and ensure a smooth start.
Enjoy your first day!