Starting a new job? Make a great first impression with our top 7 tips

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve just got a new job and want to make a great impression.

Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, do you know what your next step is? To start your new role on the right foot, you need to put in the time to fully prepare yourself for your first day.

One of the worst things you can do on the first day of a new job is showing up unprepared. Giving yourself time throughout the week leading up to your first day to prepare yourself and tie up loose ends will not only relieve first-day jitters but will also help you put your best foot forward and make a positive first impression.

To help you navigate the first-day preparation process, we have come up with a list of the things you should be doing before you start your new job.

Put yourself in the right head space

The worst thing you could do is turn up to work frazzled. Your employer wants to know they’ve hired the right person to do the job. Don’t let yourself down by not showing your best self.

Get enough sleep the night before, make sure you’ve had enough to eat, keep yourself hydrated so you mind isn’t cloudy and get in some exercise to get your blood flowing to your brain. On top of this, you might have your own personal habits that help get you into the right mindset for work. Whatever it is, allow yourself the time to do so. You’ll rock up to work with a lot more confidence.

Research the company

If you didn’t research the company during your interview process, now is the time to catch up and learn all you need to know about your new workplace. Take the time to familiarise yourself with the company; learn about what they do and what your job entails.

Depending on your role, you could go a little further and do some market research to help you understand the industry in which your new company exists.

Taking the initiative to learn about the company and its industry will help you build a good level of foundational knowledge and may impress your new manager!

Stalk your co-workers

First things first, don’t get carried away and learn about where their great uncle went on holiday in 2002 or the name of their first pet. Your first day will be a blur of new faces, new names, company regulations, and learning about your new role.

To give yourself a head start in the name department, spend some time researching your team. Have a look through the meet the team page on the company’s website or look them up on LinkedIn – before doing this, make sure your profile is set as anonymous, so you don’t come off as being too keen! This will help you connect a face to a name, as well as familiarise you with their position in the company.

Test run the commute

Unless you want to show up late, it’s essential that you plan your commute before the day you start. If you’re catching public transport, have a look at what the best route is and if there will be any delays such as road works. If you are driving, look up how long it will take to get there at the time you’ll be leaving; the travel time at 7:30 am will be very different at 7:30 pm, you don’t want to be caught off guard by unexpected peak hour traffic.

If you have time throughout the week, do a test run of your commute. It will give you a sense of the traffic and parking situations, and you will be sure of the time you should be leaving each morning.

Take some time off

If you’re in the position to do so, take some time off between jobs. This will give you a chance to rest and relax, as well as give you the opportunity to complete any last-minute tasks. During this time, write down a to-do list of all the things you want to tick off before your first day. If you need to see a doctor or go to the dentist, do so during this time.

Contact your manager

A few days before you start, reach out to your manager to check-in. Mention how excited you are for your first day and ask if there are any HR forms that still need to be filled out or if there’s anything else you need to prepare before you start. You may want to confirm your start time and the company’s dress code. This will leave a great first impression as it shows you are proactive and willing to take initiative to fully prepare yourself.

Plan your outfit

To avoid a last-minute panic on the morning of your first day, have your outfit planned out the night before. Try it on to make sure it fits properly and check that there are no stains, you don’t want to have your first impression being someone who has sauce down their front.

If you want to buy a few new outfits, confirm the dress code first. You don’t want to be spending money on clothes that are too casual, or too formal, and end up with them still in the bag with the tag on three months later.

If you’re unsure of the dress code, it’s better to dress up rather than opting for a more casual look. If you end up being overdressed, it shows that you have put in the effort and care about how you present yourself.

Arrive early

Aim to arrive earlier than your set start time on your first day. This will ensure you have plenty of time to make the commute, find a carpark, and find the actual building and office you’ll be working in. However, you don’t want to arrive too early and end up being the first person there.

Arriving early will give you time to freshen up and calm any of those last-minute first-day jitters. It will also contribute to a great first impression as it shows you are prepared and eager to start.

Now that you’re feeling fully prepared and know how to make a great first impression, you’re ready to walk through the doors of your new job!

If you’re still feeling concerned and you’re looking for some more first-day career advice, fill out the form on this page and reach out to one of our recruiters today!