It’s always exciting – and terrifying – to be starting a new job. Will you like it as much as you’re old job? Will your work colleagues become your friends? And so on and so forth. However, it’s not just a matter of turning up and getting your first day underway. There are a number of things you could – no, should – be doing before you arrive for your first day. Below, we take a look at a few of these factors. Here’s to a positive forward step in your career!
Get the 411
One of the worst things you can do when it comes to starting a new job is to make assumptions about, well, everything. You might be going to work for a cool new start-up, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not going to adhere to the same professional standards of more traditional companies. If you turn up wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and everyone else is wearing much more formal clothing, then it’s not going to look good. Also, don’t assume you’re on some sort of usual 9 – 5:30 pm shift; check with HR before you begin.
Make Sure You’re Clean
You might have dazzled your prospective new employers in the interview. They may even have offered you the position. But not so fast: you might not be nailed on for the job just yet. Why? Because employers look at more than just your professional capabilities. They may perform a criminal background check. They may ask you to take a pre-employment drugs test; and believe it or not, there are more things that can make you fail a drug test than you probably realise. Finally, it’ll be worthwhile making your social media accounts private; if your employer sees something that they don’t like, that job they offered you may be rescinded.
A Trial Run
When you agree to take a new job, you do not just agree to devote your services to a new company. You also agree to change your routine. To ensure your first day runs as smoothly as can be, make sure you do a “trial run” of your new routine. This can be as simple as driving to your new place of work even before your scheduled first day, so you can check just how heavy the traffic can be – once you know, you’ll be able to adjust your leaving time, so you arrive at your job well in time.
Plan For Your Best Self
Every company has flaws or corners that everyone cuts. But you don’t know what they are yet; all you can do is deliver the very best version of yourself. Plan to do everything that you think is right, even if the company eventually turns out to have lower standards than you do.
Put on a Smile
Finally, don’t be overawed by the pressures of starting a new job! Put on a smile, dress your best, and attack your new position with gusto. A positive attitude will always bring positive results!
