You may be starting a new part-time job or about to embark upon your full-time journey, if so, you may need some tips for starting a new job or position.
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Show up a little early. 15 minutes early is a good rule until you know the culture of the workplace. Trust us, nobody is ever mad that you showed up early or extra prepared. That also allows wiggle room if something goes wrong: you forgot to get gas the night before or your dog takes an extra 5 minutes to go to the bathroom, etc.
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Take notes! Taking notes when you’re getting trained will help you remember all the information you get. You may think I’m going to remember that because it’s important, but I urge you to not leave it up to your brain to remember. Bonus: your employer will probably like that you are taking the initiative to pay attention and remember what’s being said.
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Ask questions! What your employer may think is obvious may be a big question mark in your brain. It can be helpful to wait until that person has stopped giving their direction/training to pepper them with questions. If they ask “Do you have any questions?” You can ask all the questions you have stored up! Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something or haven’t done something before. Being trained and learning is a big part of starting a new position. It’s better to ask questions earlier rather than later so that you don’t do things wrong for a while before you have to be corrected.
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Make a strong first impression. This tip is easier said than done. Showing up early is a good start to a positive first impression. You should also be dressed appropriately. Ask before your first day what the dress code or standard dress is like in your office. You may have noticed what people were wearing if you had an on-site interview—use that information to help you dress for the day. Keep your interactions positive to start off strong: don’t dwell on negative things that may have happened recently, like a parking fiasco or that your dog took an extra 5 minutes to go to the bathroom.
Starting a new position can be a little scary and stressful, so hopefully, these tips will set you up for a successful first day! Keep a positive attitude and be ready to learn, and that will carry you a long way. If you aren’t starting a new position you can also use this tip to make a positive impression in class!
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