If you’ve clicked on this article, we can only assume that you’ve locked in a new position and want to get workplace ready! If that’s the case, the whole Explore Careers team extends a huge congratulations; starting a new job is no small feat!
To make sure you’re feeling well-prepared, we’ve put together a list of foolproof methods that will have you ready to hit the ground running. So, settle in, get comfy, and pat yourself on the back for accepting that job offer; you’re about to learn the all-time best ways to prepare for your new job!
Why is Preparation So Important?
We don’t want to pile on extra pressure or anything, but a 2016 study found that 63% of CFOs allow a new hire less than three months to show their value, so starting a new job on the right foot is super important! To do so, you need to strike a balance of preparedness and pre-start-date relaxation (so you kickstart your new job in Zen mode), and we’re about to explain how you can do just that!
Preparation Strategies: The Week Before You Start
There are two stages of successful first-job preparation: the steps you take before your start date and those put into practice on your first day! The following five tips are intended for the week before you start:
Research The Company
Leaping into the workforce will be a lot less scary if you know what you’re in for, and the best way to set expectations is to familiarise yourself with your new company! When you’re offered a new job, you’ll likely receive a company handbook; make sure you read it! Not only will this help you understand company expectations, but it will also give you an idea of the company culture.
If you want to take your research even further, and we strongly suggest you do, pop the company name into google and see what you can find! Social media pages, websites, and articles will give you a much better idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
Make Sure You’re Set Up for Success
When starting a new job, there are a lot of elements that make up a great first day. To make sure they’re all working in harmony, executing a couple of professional test runs might be your best bet.
To clarify, when we say test runs, we mean trialling anything that could go wrong on your first day. For instance, you might want to practice perfecting your commute, your computer setup, and any job responsibilities that you don’t feel super confident about. That way, when your first day rolls around, you won’t be hit with any nasty surprises!
Organise Your Personal Affairs
There’s nothing worse than starting a new job when your personal life has dipped into a state of chaos. Rather, you want to start a new job with a clean slate (and make sure the only thing you’re worrying about is whether you’re making a good impression)!
If you have any outstanding personal issues, do your best to clear them up before your first day. We know it’s easier said than done but trust us, it’ll be worth it in the end.
Relax and Enjoy Your Downtime
It’s easy to take time off for granted when you’re hunting for a new role, but you’ll probably miss it after a few weeks in the workforce. In the week leading up to your start date, take the time to do your favourite things, catch up with friends, and relax!
By taking our advice on this, you’ll be starting your new job feeling refreshed and ready to go, which is the perfect mental state for any workplace newbie!
How to Seize Your First Day
Once you’ve spent your pre-workforce week in preparation mode, it’s time to kickstart the first day of your new career the right way, and we’re here to show you how!
Connect With Your Coworkers
From the moment you arrive at the office, you have the opportunity to establish positive working relationships (and trust us, you’ll want to make work friends). Take full advantage of this and start building rapport with the other members of your team; it won’t just improve productivity, but it will establish some lasting friendships too!
Remember, studies have found that first impressions tend to stick around. In fact, a study from the University of Western Ontario found that even if you change your social approach later on, a person’s first impression still lingers. With this in mind, you’ll want to put your best foot forward from the get-go. No pressure!
Ask Questions
When starting a new job, most of us want to act as if we already know what we’re doing when, in reality, we have absolutely no clue! Fumbling through tasks that can easily be explained by a supervisor serves nobody (and will likely come back to bite you).
So, don’t be shy; if you need help, ask for it. After all, the whole team knows that you’re the newbie. Thus, they’ll expect you to have tonnes of questions and might even see it as a red flag if you don’t!
Set Boundaries
Boundaries can be tricky for those of us starting new jobs. Determining where to draw the line isn’t always a clear-cut decision, but taking the time to figure it out could save you a world of stress.
If you don’t set boundaries early on, it could result in an unhealthy work environment for years to come. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that just because you’re new, you have to put up with bad behaviour; if your boss is offloading tonnes of work onto you, expecting you to work overtime for free or disrespecting you in any way, say something. It can be scary in the moment, but it will definitely be worth it in the long run!
Our Final Tip: Trust Your Abilities
While it’s completely normal to feel nervous when starting a new job, remember that you belong at your new workplace; your boss wouldn’t have hired you if they didn’t think you were capable of making a valuable contribution. Have a little faith and give yourself a little credit!
However, if you want even more advice on preparedness and organisation, head over to our blog post about organisational strategies for school and work. With those under your belt, you’ll be smashing your new role out of the park!
