Saffron Wildbore
~ 4min read
~ 4min read
Starting your first job is an exciting milestone, marking the beginning of your professional journey. It’s a chance to advance your career, build relationships and develop new skills.
Read our tips to navigate this new chapter with confidence and success.
Before you even step into your new place of work, there’s a few things you can do to ensure that you’ll have the best experience.
Make sure that you have thoroughly read the job description and any materials that have been sent to you to understand your roles and responsibilities.
Figure out how your role fits into the bigger picture of the company that you’re joining. If you have any questions, prepare them for your first day to ask your line manager.
Your first day is likely to be full of orientation activities and learning the ropes, but there are still things you can do.
You will be given a time to arrive at your place of work. Give yourself plenty of time to get there. First impressions matter and you want to show you're reliable, so it's always better to arrive a little early than late.
This will also give you time to find your bearings, settle in and start your first day on a positive note. Make sure to bring any notebooks, pens or tools that you may need.
You will likely be told the dress code before you arrive which will give you an idea of what to wear. If you’re unsure, it’s best to err slightly on the side of being too formal. When you arrive, pay attention to how your colleagues dress and adjust your wardrobe accordingly.
During your first day, you’ll likely have a lot of information thrown at you. Make notes, listen and observe. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions if there’s things that you’re not sure about.
As the week progresses, you should be able to settle into your role and see how your day to day job will be.
Working relationships are important when embarking on your chosen career path. Introduce yourself to colleagues, get to know them and remember their names. Being friendly and open minded will allow you to build relationships and come across as approachable. Use open body language and integrate into the team.
Each workplace has a different company culture, so this is a chance to figure out what your company is like.
Discover more about finding the right company culture for you.
Your first week on the job is an opportunity to talk to your manager. Between you both, you can start to set achievable goals to help you make progress and track your growth during your probationary period.
Effective communication is vital in the workplace. Keep your manager and team updated on your progress and any challenges you’re facing.
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback regularly. Putting this into practice as you start your new role will make it easier down the line. Feedback can help you understand what you’re doing well and what you need to work on. You can then come up with a plan to refine your work and produce better results in the future.
A new role can be overwhelming, so make sure you stay organised in a way that works for you.
Keep track of your roles and responsibilities using notebooks, calendars or planners. This will allow you to stay on top of deadlines and reduce your stress.
Show that you’re proactive and a team player by volunteering for tasks, offering to help colleagues or showcasing your talents. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and set you apart as a valuable team member. It’s a good idea to keep your line manager up to date on any additional responsibilities so they can help manage your workload. If in doubt, speak to them first to see if it’s something you should focus on.
Many workplaces have a mentorship programme for colleagues. Seeking a mentor can help provide you with guidance, support and opportunities for career development.
If you don’t have a mentorship programme in place, consider reaching out to someone you admire and ask if they would be willing to mentor you.
Starting a new job can be overwhelming and you may encounter a few obstacles. But, maintaining a positive attitude will make the transition easier. Stay optimistic and be patient with yourself as you get used to things. Don’t forget to celebrate your victories along the way!
If you work from home, these tips are for starting a new job remotely too! By following the above advice, you’ll be better prepared to face challenges and seize the opportunities that come your way.
Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow, so embrace the journey with confidence and enthusiasm. Good luck!
Looking for your first role in tech, business or banking? Discover our current roles today.
Saffron Wildbore is a Senior Marketing Executive at mthree. She has worked in marketing, specialising in creating content for over 5 years. Saffron focuses on writing tips for graduates, Alumni interviews and more!
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