Starting a new job is one of the most exciting yet worrying events in any person’s life. It doesn’t matter if you’re just jumping from one workplace to another, have just moved to a new city, came back from a long maternity leave, or are about to start your very first job out of the university – the first few days or weeks at the new place may be nerve-wracking. However, there are a couple of ways to make that transition more comfortable, so that you could focus on the positive and let go of the negative emotions that come with switching a job. Check out our tips and let your new job be a success from the start.
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Upgrade your wardrobe
It’s true that your workplace look largely depends on the type of job you have, but no matter if you’re about to be the CFO of a major company or a receptionist at a local gym, your look is the first thing that jumps to everyone’s attention, especially when they see you for the first time. Whether your job requires you to wear a uniform, a sharp suit, or just casual clothes, make sure they’re high quality, new, and good-looking. Remember that your work clothes don’t have to be expensive, but they have to project the right image. If you want to look as professional and respectable as possible, a good idea is to have your work wardrobe custom made or at least tailored to fit you better.
Boost your productivity
While clothes help you make the right first impression, long-term respect at work is earned only through thorough and decent work. Being an efficient worker is impossible without high productivity levels, no matter what your job is. There are many ways to make you more productive at work, from energy-based diet to special gadgets and smartphone apps that will keep you in check. Most modern workers rely on team management programs, where you can coordinate your work with the colleagues, and special apps that help you manage your time more effectively, so that you could perform more work in one day.
Learn about company culture
Unless you are joining a brand new company where everyone is a novice like you, knowing the basics of the culture at the company you’re about to join is essential for fitting into the office and making yourself a valuable addition to the team. You can start by doing a little online research about the company, its mission, history, and working methods. A lot of information about the corporate culture can be found during your job interview. If you’re still not sure if you understood everything, don’t be afraid to talk to your new co-workers and asking them for help whenever you need it. Plus, these conversations will bring you closer to the people you’ll work with for years, which is always good for your work relationships.
Work on your body language
Although you’ll meet and talk to a lot of people in your first few days at the new job, a large part of your image depends on how you present yourself, not just verbally, but also through body language. Your smile, body positions, hand movements, speaking voice, and the way you sit, stand or move around the office all have a great impact on how you’re viewed among your new coworkers. It’s essential to look confident at all times, but avoid looking arrogant or stuck up, because not only will you not make any friends at your new job, but you can also alienate people who were initially inclined to like you. You can find a lot of good guides to confident body language online, so take some time to practice before you start the new job.
Keep a work journal
When you’re just starting a new job, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed with all of the different tasks and responsibilities you face in your first days. You can keep a journal on paper and take it everywhere with you, or use one of the useful smartphone apps that let you keep notes and create reminders. Your work journal can contain all kinds of information, from new tasks to updates on the old ones, and from your boss’s orders to tips from your co-workers. As some time passes, you may start to feel more confident at your job and will no longer need a journal, but when you’re only getting used to the new job, a task journal can be super helpful, especially if you’re not yet particularly good at managing all kinds of different responsibilities.
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