Making a good start in a new job

You never get a second chance to make a first impression Importance of First Impression

First impression

First Impression  Never under estimate the impact of first impressions.  The first few days are when your boss and colleagues form the most lasting impressions about you.  First impressions about you and your future potential can make a major impact on your future success with the organization.  First impressions about people often turn into long-term perceptions and reputations.  Good for people who make positive first impressions - the halo effect but  Bad for people who make negative first impressions - the horn effect

The good news is that  Most employers realize that there is a learning curve for most positions.  There is often an unofficial grace period while you settle into your job.

How to make a great first impression when you’re starting a new job?

Making a great first impression Have a positive attitude Be punctual Take notesBe a good listener Have a good attendance record Dress professionally Show your team spirit Show genuine appreciation Avoid office politics and gossip Find a mentor Learn colleagues names quickly Be organized Ask questions Ability to work under pressure Keep personal work to the minimum Keep track of your achievements Take the initiative

Positive Attitude

Have a positive attitude  Nothing works better in all situations than having and expressing a positive attitude.  Let your enthusiasm for being part of the team and the organization show.  Always leave non-work problems at home.

Dressing professionally

Dress professionally  Never underestimate the importance of dressing professionally in your new job.  In the beginning, even if your department has casual days, you should dress professionally because you never know when you’ll be called out to meet a top manager or key client.  Perfectly groomed means efficient and reliable in work; unkempt means disorganized and therefore difficult to trust with different assignments.  After awhile, people realize these things do not necessarily correspond, but initially, your looks and dress are your representation to them.

Team Spirit

Show Your Team Spirit  You are now part of a team, and teams work together to solve problems and get the job done.  Show loyalty to your colleagues and focus more initially on sharing any recognition you get with the team.  Always give credit to the team.

Remembering names

Learn your colleagues names quickly  No one expects you to remember everyone’s name by the end of the first day or week  But if you are bad with names you can use some memory-aid tricks to remember names.  If you are in a situation in which you forget a person’s name, the best solution is to simply apologize and ask the person’s name again.

Ask questions

Ask questions or for help  No one expects you to solve all the organization’s problems on your first few days on the job.  Nobody expects you to know everything.  So, relax a bit, and always ask questions or ask for help when you need it.  Remember that it’s better to ask before you’ve completed the task the wrong way and wasted all that time.  Communicate openly with colleagues and supervisors.  Keep your ego at home.

Make Notes

Take Notes  Make notes on all the various systems and rules of the organization.  Attend all orientation/induction sessions.  Nothing is more irritating than a person who repeatedly asks for the way a system works in the organization.

Display initiative

Take the initiative  In your first days on the job, you will be given small doses of work.  As you finish assignments and are ready to handle a bigger workload, take the initiative and ask for more assignments.  Be proactive and volunteer for assignments

Be Punctual

Be punctual  Your reputation takes a beating if you routinely come to work late or leave work early.  In the first few days/weeks on the job, be sure you get to work early and do not leave earlier than when the majority of your co-workers leave.  In the beginning, be totally dedicated to being there all the time and picking up as much as you can possibly handle.

Good attendance record

Have a good attendance record  It is very important to show up to work every day and establish a good attendance record.  Save the leave entitlement for emergencies and sickness.

Avoid office politics

Avoid office politics and gossip  Disassociate yourself from the office politics and gossip to avoid being branded as ‘political’.  Stay out of the office politics as long as you can.  Inevitably you will get exposed to it and may also participate in the same eventually.

Avoid personal work

Keep Personal Business on Company Time to a Minimum  Keep your personal work to the minimum and stay focused on your work.  In the initial few weeks especially, keep away from all personal work on company time like  Checking personal  Chatting on the internet messenger with family/friends  Booking personal air/train tickets on the net  Making personal phone calls – local and international  Chatting with family and friends on the phone for a long time

Be a good listener

 Resist the temptation to come across as a ‘know-it-all’  If you have a legitimate contribution, make it, but if not, do more listening and absorbing in the first few days on the job.

Track your achievements

Keep track of your achievements  It is up to you to keep track of your achievements.  No one else will do it for you.  Helps you in the following ways:  for personal satisfaction  for annual appraisals and  for future job-hunting

Show appreciation

 Show your genuine appreciation to  everyone who has helped you to learn the job  It can be your boss, colleagues or the HR department.

Be organized

 Use an organizer to keep track of daily activities.  A ‘To Do’ list will help organize and prioritize tasks on a daily basis.

Last but not the least……

Find a mentor in the organization

Find a mentor  A mentor is a person who shares his experience, knowledge and wisdom about the workplace in general.  Typically a relationship between a senior manager and a junior employee.  A person who provides advice, guidance and counselling.  Enlist the support of a senior manager ideally from another department.

Thank You