How to make a great impression on your first day

Congratulations – you’ve got the job, however the hiring process isn’t over yet. If you really want to make a great impression in your new role then consider the first day an extension of your interview. Present yourself as professional, personable and knowledgeable, and overcome any nerves by reminding yourself you’ve been given the job because the employer has confidence in you.

Whether you’re a graduate, manager or CEO, your first day on the job can have a huge bearing on how you are perceived by other staff from then on. No doubt you want to make the right impression quickly (some research concludes you only have a tenth of a second to make a good first impression!), and a new job success strategy will help you do just that.

Listen to the blog below:

The waiting game

There is often a limbo period between being offered a job and joining the business of a couple of weeks or so. You’re probably raring to go and it’s understandable if, during this period, you feel like a bird whose wings have been clipped.

The transition might be made easier if you reach out to your future employer during this time; they may even invite you to the office or for a team drink to meet your future colleagues. Don’t overburden them, but perhaps ask what you can do to prepare for your new role. It’s also recommended that you keep in contact with your recruitment consultant, just in case there are any date changes or other alterations.

Five steps to success

Although your employer should have already have an idea of what you can offer, based on information obtained during your interview and prior, your first few days will have an even stronger bearing on how they perceive you.

Your manager will likely do everything they can on your first day to create a welcoming and supportive environment, but there are also steps you can take to make sure everything goes smoothly – here are five of them:

1. Be early and suitably dressed

If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. Show your eagerness to start on the job by turning up around half an hour to fifteen minutes early. This also helps you entrench yourself into the team as – being the first person in the building – you can greet your colleagues one by one, instead of arriving late and having to introduce yourself to everyone all in one go.

Making yourself you’re wearing the correct attire is also of paramount importance. You should have already clarified with your manager what the dress code is, but if you didn’t then see if you can find out from the company website or from your new colleagues’ LinkedIn profiles.

2. Remember names

Greet everyone by name and use their names when conversing to help embed this information – by mentioning their name throughout the conversation you’re also helping to build rapport. As uncomfortable as you might find walking round the office and meeting all your colleagues, just remember that everyone else has had to do this at one time. One tactic I often employ to help me remember others’ names is to repeat their name when they introduce themselves. So the colleague would say, “Hi, I’m Dave,” and I would reply “Hi Dave, I’m Will”. Curiously, our brains are proven to remember and recall occupations a lot easier than names.

Once you’ve met everyone, map out a seating plan and plot their names in the respective positions. Also make a note of other employees who you will have regular contact with, such as the receptionist(s).

3. Ask questions

Your manager – although part of their job is to support you with problems or queries – will be most receptive to your needs during your first few days. Use this opportunity to ask broad questions about the business which you might feel silly asking later on.

Again, these may have already been covered in the interview, but if not then now is the time to ask questions such as, “What’s the current focus of my team?”, “What are the businesses current objectives?” or “What is the main challenge that the business is currently facing?” Stick to business-related matters; your peers will be able to point out the coffee machine.

4. Listen

In the early stages you should be listening and learning a lot more than you are talking. Carry a notebook and pen around with you at all times, ready for whatever nuggets of information your colleagues might impart. Make good quality notes to make tasks easier, especially those that not everyone will be able to assist you with, such as running specific computer programs.

There will be a lot of important information to learn on your first day, and throughout your on-boarding period, so make sure you’re all ears at all times.

5. Big-picture thinking

Even though it’s only your first day you should already be thinking about how everything you’re learning now builds into the bigger picture, including various colleagues and your relationships with them. Keep your job description handy so you can make a mental note of the essential responsibilities and who you’ll be coordinating those with.

6. Call your recruiter

Call your recruiter and let them know how your first day went. Talk through the people you met, the projects you’ve been assigned to and how you found your day. It’s important to share any questions you may have at this early stage, when your consultant is best placed to find out information on your behalf.

7. Give it a chance

If, after your first day, you feel that you may have made a mistake or that you just won’t gel with your new colleagues then don’t panic. It often takes time to settle into a new organisation and many people have initial reservations, which they then quickly overcome.

Just remember that everyone has a ‘first day at the office’. New job jitters are totally natural, as change is often uncomfortable. During this preliminary period give it your best shot by staying positive and working hard. If it still doesn’t feel right after six months only then should you arrange a meeting with your manager – who will hopefully be able to provide some advice on how best to proceed.

A final thought

You only get one shot at a first impression – and for many people first impressions are final – so make sure yours has positive and lasting effects by adhering to the five tips provided above. At the same time don’t put too much pressure on yourself; you’ve got a support network that believes in you and want you to succeed, so feel free to reach out to them if you’re having issues.

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