Starting a new job: The do's and don'ts

It is January 2019. 2019! New year, new job, new you right? Well, lets skip the typical new years resolutions and what you should be doing. Starting a new job is a huge step and something you should be incredibly proud of. But, don’t change everything about yourself just yet!

It is easy to make the common mistake of going into a new job and acting slightly different. Whether that is to impress your colleagues or to fit in, remember the managers hired you, for you. Your personality and skillset are what attracted them to you – don’t lose that.

So, we thought it would be a good idea to share with you some do’s and don’ts for your shiny new job.

What you should do

Remember the first day of school? How nervous you were to meet new people and how in that moment you had to decide who you were? Well first day of school, first day of work, it is still important!

• Get there in plenty of time. Just like your interviews for the role, aim to be there 15 – 30 minutes early on your first day. It gives you time to get settled, find your desk/equipment and be introduced to the team. If you are entering a management position being early will set a good example and give you time to give a morning brief before the day starts.
• Look presentable! This may seem obvious to a lot of you, but sometimes if we have got the job, we may slack slightly on what we wear. Dress to impress the first day and show how you value yourself and your new position.
• Start as you mean to go – organisation! The first day and first week can sometimes be a mix of setting up passwords, learning programmes and getting used to your new responsibilities. Come prepared with your calendar / note book / post it notes, whatever you need to start organised. Trust me, it will put you in a good position for the rest of your working career at that brand.
• Meet everyone! Whether it be a Director passing you in the corridor or the receptionist for the building, say hello. It will create a great first impression and you never know when you may need a colleague’s support.
• Stay focused! It only takes a split-second decision for your career goals to be derailed due to not paying attention or putting in 100% effort. It will take time in a new job to find your balance but keep working on it!

What you should not do

It is easier said than done making a good first impression, and sometimes nerves can get the better of us. If you are going in at a junior level, you might stumble and say yes to things you did not think through (trying to impress the big boss). If you are starting a role at management level, if you go in guns blazing and demanding authority, your team will very quickly lose respect for you.

• Do not try to over impress. You have your whole career to impress those around you, and at the end of the day it is your opinion of yourself that will guide you to doing a good job. So, if you are asked to do something you are unsure of, or you can already see your work schedule piling up – don’t be afraid to say no. You do not want to get lost in the system, especially if management is in your career goals.
• If in a junior position do not turn your nose up at what is given to you. You may know it as ‘paying your dues’. Our parents were told this when they were younger, that you must do some of the work you don’t like to get to where you want to be. Especially for junior positions, whether it be your first or second job, you may be asked to do the administrative work, maintaining the office or assisting with organising etc. Everyone who is now a Director or CEO has been in your position, don’t worry!
• Don’t get comfortable! Now, we are not saying don’t enjoy yourself but stay on your toes. Unfortunately, when we start to get to relaxed at work, make lots of friends and get comfortable, we tend to slack of. We might think that because we are friends with the manager, we can turn up late or not meet deadlines. Absolutely get along with everyone in the office but remember your role and what you are there to do. It is all about balance!
• If we have a successful few months in a job, it can be tempting to start looking around for something new. You do not want to run the risk of looking jumpy on your CV. On the other hand, if you do not like your new job it can be easy to give up quickly. The amount of times a problem can be solved by just being open with your manager as to what is making you unhappy. They hired you for a reason, so don’t underestimate your management, they are there to help you.

These are just a few of each, and we could probably make a list going on for days. But, the fun part of a new role is finding out where you fit in and what you can do to contribute to the team. Be yourself, work hard and keep focused!