First Impressions Count

Congratulations! You’ve landed the job of your dreams. Now what?

Your first 30 days in a new job is the time to lay the groundwork for success in your new position. It’s an exciting time but can be stressful. Make the best of this time by using your first 30 days to develop relationships, learn as much as possible about the company, and showcase your talents and abilities. What you do, or don’t do, during this period, can have an impact beyond the first thirty days, so remember that first impressions count.

Be Prepared
During the interview process, you should have read everything you could find about the company, the leadership, the market, competition, products, etc. If you haven’t, do it before your first day. Once you start work, read the information you’re given such as employee handbooks, department policies and procedures, etc., and ask for any information that is not provided, such as annual reports, marketing materials and other company literature that will help get you up to speed. Participate in the new employee orientation program, if there is one, so you can get answers to frequently asked questions.

Wake-Up Call
Find out in advance what time you are expected to arrive at work, and get there earlier than expected. Not so early that you set off the office alarm when you try to open the door (yes, I actually did that once on my first day!). But at least 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. Throughout your first 30 days, make sure your attendance and punctuality is perfect. People are assessing your reliability right now. Arrive at work promptly and don’t rush out the door at the end of the day. And don’t abuse lunch or break times by taking more time than is allowed.

Dress to Impress
During the interview process, take notice of what the office attire seems to be. Jeans and t-shirt kind of place? Navy suit world? Or somewhere in between? Never underestimate the importance of dressing professionally in your new job. During your first 30 days, step it up a notch and wear one step up from what seems to be the general look. Even if it’s noticeable that you’re slightly overdressed, it will make a good first impression. And you’ll be prepared if called upon to meet a top manager or key client. Eventually, you’ll find your own style that works for you in this new environment.

Rah! Rah!
Have a positive attitude and show your team spirit! Show your enthusiasm for being part of the team and the organization. Work together with your colleagues to solve problems and get the job done. Be loyal to your co-workers and share any recognition you get with the team. And show your appreciation to everyone who helps you during your first days on the job, including the receptionist, Human Resources staff, co-workers, and management. And remember, now is not the time to share your thoughts about your miserable former boss. Leave that baggage at home when starting your new job.

Hello, My Name Is…
Learn your co-workers’ names quickly. Get a copy of the company phone list or organization chart to help you and pay attention when introduced to someone. A good way to remember a person’s name when introduced for the first time is to repeat it back to the person. So when introduced as “Anna, this is John who works in the IT Department”, your response should be “John, it’s very nice to meet you.” Hopefully that will leave an imprint on your brain and you will be able to say “Hi John” when you meet him again at the coffee machine.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Ask questions and ask for help. No one expects you to know everything, so it’s ok to ask questions and ask for help when you need it. If you’re unsure of something you’re working on, it’s better to ask questions along the way rather than waiting until you’ve finished the task the wrong way and have to start over, wasting everyone’s time. On the other hand, running into your manager’s office every 5 minutes will get annoying quickly. If you don’t need an immediate answer, keep a list of your questions and schedule a meeting with your manager towards the end of the day to get the answers you need. And don’t bring every single question to your manager. Ask your co-workers for help with minor issues.

Start Your Engines
Be a self-starter and take initiative. As you start any new job, you will probably receive projects or assignments in small doses. As you finish them, ask for more. Don’t just sitting around waiting for someone to give you something to do. And keep your manager informed. Request regular meetings with your boss to keep him/her informed as you complete assignments and to let him/her know how you are doing. You should also ask for feedback about what you’re doing right and what more you should be doing.

Git R Done
Get your work assignments done completely and on time. Do what you say you’ll do and follow through on all commitments and assignments. Arrive on time for meetings and be prepared so you can engage in the discussion. Remember that you were hired because you have something to offer and add, so let your managers and co-workers know they’ve made the right decision. On the other hand, no one likes a know-it-all, so don’t be one of those who hogs all the air time and spouts on about “at my last company, this is the way we did it.” Your job now is to apply the skills you have gained throughout your career to this company, not to try to create a carbon copy of your old firm. LISTEN and learn how things are done in your new organization and figure how you can contribute to helping the company be successful. Contribute when you have something meaningful to add, but don’t run your mouth simply to hog the spotlight.

The Water Cooler
Your first 30 days is NOT the time to engage in office politics or gossip. It’s inevitable that you will be dragged into both at some stage, but now is not the time to participate in these kinds of conversations or to solicit this kind of information. And keep the sharing of personal information to a minimum. Don’t start off whining about your personal problems. You want to make an impression on a professional level at this stage, so keep that goal in mind.

Fitting In
Fitting into the company’s culture is probably the most important ingredient to success in a new position. Figure out who you will be working with on a regular basis and invite them out for a cup of coffee or lunch to get to know them. Get to know people who have been at the company for a while and ask them their opinion of what it takes to be successful in this company. Observe others in the organization to learn how they communicate, interact, and work together and integrate your own style with the corporate culture. Get involved in after-hour activities, even if it’s just cheering on the softball team, but remember to keep the boozing to a minimum at happy hours so you don’t make a fool of yourself.

Besides everything included here, keep in mind that your first 30 days should also be about whether this company and job are the right fit for you. You should be evaluating your managers and coworkers a well. If the job isn’t what you expected, try to determine why and figure out what you need to do to adapt successfully.

Good luck!


First Impressions Count - To learn more about this author, visit Allison Grace's Website.

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