Starting a new job comes with both excitement and nerves. You’re beginning a whole new chapter in your life that could lead to some exciting things – but you’ve also got a lot to get used to. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first ever job or a bold career move later in life, the feelings are exactly the same! With that in mind, let’s take a look at some things to remember to help your first day, week and even month go off without a hitch!

Make a good first impression

First impressions really do matter, so make sure yours is a good one. Make sure you arrive on time (early if possible), dress appropriately and be polite to everyone. That being said, don’t put too much pressure on being perfect right away! As long as you’re friendly, you listen to instructions and you show willingness, you’ll do just fine. People will understand that it’s your first day!

Observe and absorb

Your first few shifts will likely mainly be shadowing someone so that you can learn the ins and outs of things. Take the time to notice how the team interacts with each other, what method of communication is best (for example sending a quick slack message instead of walking across the office) and also the workplace’s culture. Doing this will help you slide into place faster! Now is also the time to take note of where the bathrooms are or where you can grab a cup of coffee on your break.

Take the time to learn people’s names and roles

Nobody expects you to be able to remember everyone’s names and roles straight away, but you’ll make a great impression if you take the time to note these things down. It shows that you care about the people you’re working with and that you’re ready to get down to business once initiation is over. Plus, once you’re familiar with someone’s name and role, it will help you build rapport much faster once you actually start working solo.

Understand the fine print

Every job, no matter how simple or complex, will come with some sort of fine print – especially if you’re a contracted worker. Don’t just sign your contract without reading through it first. Not only could you miss some vital details that could impact your work, but it also shows that you really care about your role when you read through it! Be sure to take notes about what happens in case of an injury claim at work! Councilclaims.co.uk will be able to give you the information you need if you’re not sure of your rights in the workplace.

Ask lots of questions

When you start a new job, it’s understandable that you might worry about coming across as clueless. However, asking questions is the best way to get more familiar with the role you’ve taken on. Whether you’re asking who to report to if a certain issue crops up or something as simple as where to get a cheap lunch nearby, you shouldn’t hesitate! Your new team would rather help you out early on rather than have you procrastinating! Not only that, asking questions shows that you care about what’s going on around you.

Don’t expect to be perfect straight away

Nobody likes to admit when they’re at fault, but you also can’t expect to be perfect at your job straight away. Take your time settling into your new job! That might mean taking notes on how the team works together and what’s expected of each person to complete each day. Giving yourself time to get used to your job will only allow you to be better in the long run and prevent mistakes along the way.

Work out who your “go to” people are

There will be some people on your team that you don’t communicate with that often and there will be others that you feel you talk to all day long. Finding out who the people are that you can rely on and turn to for answers will make your job a lot easier. Even if it’s someone to talk to when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’ll help make settling in a lot easier!

Ask for feedback

Finally, a lot of people shy away from feedback in the fear that it might not all be praise, but it can be extremely useful. If someone points out a better way of doing something or gives you constructive criticism, take it as an opportunity to grow. Nobody is expected to know everything from day one, and if you’re open to feedback too, it will make everyone’s lives a lot easier.