The initial days of a new job are filled with anxiety. Doesn’t matter whether you are a recent graduate starting your first job, or a seasoned professional with several years of experience joining a new organization. It takes time to settle down. Like the first few balls when Kohli walks out to bat - it’s tense! What can you do to start strong in your new job?
Here’s our # 1 tip - Show up!
Show up smartly. Yes, we mean the physical appearance. Sure, we can debate the political correctness of this tip, but the reality is your physical appearance makes an impression much before you have had a chance to utter a word. Don’t believe us? Look at the people around you in your office - the ones who you have never met or interacted with. What is your impression of them? Is your impression shaped by their physical appearance?
Always dress one notch above the accepted company dress code. Never below! Even if your company allows jeans, round neck tees, sneakers, etc., avoid them in your initial days. You might feel a bit out of place, but you are better off being the only person in a business wear surrounded by people in jeans and tees, rather than the other way around! We aren’t advocating anything fancy. Just dress sharply and be well groomed.
Show up confidently. Your body language and posture should convey comfortable confidence. Wear a gentle warm smile, and make eye contact when you come across people - if they return your eye contact, don’t avert your gaze! Instead, give a gentle smile. When meeting people, look them in eye, smile, and have a firm handshake. The trick is to have a confident, welcoming body language without appearing arrogant. And a smile usually does the trick!
Show up on time! Even if no one is keeping track, make sure you come on time to work. Invariably, your colleagues will notice that you are the first person to be in the office, and that will have a positive impact on your brand.
Minimize breaks - yes, the first days of a job can boring if you haven’t been assigned any projects or work. Sometimes, you might not have a working laptop or access to company systems. It can be frustrating, and you are right to think that the company should have done a better job. But even so, don’t go away on long breaks. And don’t watch Netflix or play carroms and TT because you don’t have work. Nothing can cause more damage to your brand than “not being seen at your desk”.
Be on time to meetings. If you are in your first job, take time to understand meeting and communication tools and etiquettes. If you received a meeting invite, you should respond! If you don’t know why you got an invite, ask! And if you accepted the invite, show up on time. Nothing is more irritating to the meeting organizer than people not showing up or walking in late.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but getting the basics right can go a long way in helping your brand. Sounds too simplistic? Indeed! Making a strong first impression doesn’t have to be complicated.
What other tips have worked for you? We’d love to hear in the comments. And watch out for more ideas in the upcoming posts.