First Day Do’s & Don’ts
There can be a long list of terrifying aspects of the first day at your new job. From wearing just the right thing, to remembering how to fill out a W-2, the first day is a hurdle unlike any other.
To help you start off on the right foot, we have developed a short list of do’s and don'ts so you have a few less worries while you’re trying to make your best first impression.
DO ask questions and be prepared to write down the answers you receive.
Make sure you have with you a way to take down any notes you might need. Your first day is a great time to ask questions as they come up because their is no pretense that you should already know the ins and outs of the business. If a question seems silly, Google it first.
DON'T worry about your outfit once you’re at work.
When you selected (agonized over) your first day outfit, you considered what your new co-workers were wearing during your interview or made a decision based on a dress code. Leave all the agonizing behind once you get to work. There are bigger issues to worry about - like the location of the nearest coffee station.
DO be prepared to work on your first day.
Gone are the syllabus days at the beginning of each semester. Many employers will give you tasks on the first day. This is your opportunity to set the tone of your work.
DON'T suggest changes until you know the how and why things are done.
In your first days, be sure to listen much more than you talk. You need to be learning as much as you can about the framework of the company and its culture. The more you know, the more easily you will be brought into the fold.
DO ask your manager to express their expectations.
What are the top priorities you need to be focusing on immediately? What long-term projects should you be working on? You want to hit the ground running and having a plan of attack can make all the difference.
DON'T get discouraged if at the end of the day, you feel overwhelmed.
Retaining every single piece of information from your first day will be impossible. Don’t freak out about it - it will all come together and make sense.
