Whether your new job is a career stepping stone or a welcome change after a period of unemployment, you’re likely to feel a blend of nervousness and excitement as your first-day approaches. there’s no way of predicting what your first week will be like.
However, there are some things you can do ahead of time to ease your anxiety and take the pressure off as you acclimatize to your new workplace. If you’re keen to make a good impression, add the following five steps to your to-do list:
1. Understand your benefits
- What kind of health insurance does your employer offer?
- Is dental cover included?
- What about your leave entitlements?
It’s important to go over everything your new workplace offers to ensure you know precisely what you’re entitled to and how to access it.
This will prevent you from missing out on benefits you could’ve used and misunderstandings about what your insurance covers.
2. Understand your responsibilities
Though it’s tempting to skim through all those human resources documents and sign on the dotted line without much thought, this is a mistake that can prove costly.
You may miss the fact that your new workplace expects you to bring your own laptop or that personal phones can only be used on breaks. Each employer is different, and with people finally recognizing how integral culture is to business success, those HR documents are becoming increasingly vital.
What was acceptable in your old workplace might not fly in your new job. Having an understanding of what’s expected of you before you arrive for your first day will help you transition smoothly into your new role.
3. Get a head-start
If possible, email your new manager to let them know you’d like to hit the ground running on your first day.
Ask them what their expectations are for your first week and whether there’s anything you can prepare or bring with you on your first day.
By getting an idea of what your first week will look like, you can do some targeted research and preparation. This will take the pressure off and reduce your new job nerves. Most importantly, it will make a positive impression on your boss.
4. Plan your morning routine
Whether you’ll be commuting to the office or working remotely, it’s helpful to plan out what your workday mornings will look like.
- What time do you need to get up?
- Do you need to wear a uniform or corporate attire?
- What’s the traffic like, how long will you be on the road, and do you know where you can park?
Do some trial runs before your first day so you can troubleshoot any issues that arise. This will save you the stress of having to problem-solve while worrying about being late to work on your first day.
5. Assess your social media
You need to be prepared for the fact that your coworkers and your boss may want to add you on social media. This could mean vetting your profiles to ensure the content is workplace-appropriate.
Alternatively, it could mean establishing a separate, professional account. Perhaps Facebook is for professional contacts and Instagram is for friends.
You may even wish to prepare an explanation of why you don’t have social media. The one thing you don’t want is to be unprepared.
Follow the tips above, make sure you arrive early on your first day, and you’re sure to make a positive impression on your new team.
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