An 8 Step Guide to Success in Your First Job

Congratulations on receiving your first-ever job offer! Landing your first role is an amazing achievement no matter what organisation you’ll be working for. However, we know that getting started is an incredibly daunting process, especially when you haven’t worked before and don’t know what to expect. Luckily, there are some things you can do to prepare for your first day and settle into your new role quickly – in this guide, we’ll be giving you eight simple steps for getting your career off on the right foot from day one.

An 8 Step Guide to Success in Your First Job

1. Celebrate!

First things first, you need to celebrate! Whether you’re working a part-time job around your studies or are a recent graduate and you’ve secured a role in a big organisation, celebrating your achievement is a must-do. This is a great way to build excitement for the next stage in your life, so gather your friends and family for a fun get-together as soon as your role is confirmed!

2. Research Your New Company

It’s likely that during the interview stages for your new role, you did some research about the company and its background. However, now is the time to delve a bit deeper into what the company does and who you’ll be interacting with in your first few weeks. A great tip for new graduates is to reach out to current employees of your new company on LinkedIn, to introduce yourself and ask if they have any advice for you as you prepare for your first day – this is also a great way to ensure you have someone you recognise at the office before you arrive, to help calm those first day nerves.

3. Plan How You’ll Get There

Next, you should clearly plan how you’ll get to your new job every day. In recent years, many companies have adopted home working practices that might make life a little easier, but if you need to travel into the office then having a reliable form of transport is an absolute must – after all, no one wants to be late on their first day!

Driving into the office is the best way to reduce unexpected delays, and it helps you get into a structured routine, but having the right young driver insurance is a must. You can use Quotezone to search for the best young driver insurance policies that will give you peace of mind and let you focus on what’s really important – settling into your new role stress-free.

4. Look the Part

First impressions matter. Studies have shown that we form an impression about someone within the first 27 seconds of meeting them, so looking at the part is crucial in the first few weeks of your new job. Make sure that you dress smartly, practice good hygiene and style your hair neatly – not only will this give you a professional image, but you’ll also feel more confident if you look good, so it’s a win-win.

5. Be Approachable

It’s easy to be nervous during your first few days on the job, but sometimes this nervousness can make you appear more withdrawn than usual. While you’re exploring the office and meeting new people, make a conscious effort to be friendly and approachable, taking time to ask others questions about themselves and their experiences so that you can get to know more about the person behind the name badge.

6. Learn the Office Layout

An often overlooked but very important element of your first few weeks in your new role will be learning the layout of the office. Knowing where specific rooms and amenities make life a lot easier. Your new line manager or a co-worker should take you on a tour of the building, so take a mental note of the location of key points, including the:

• Bathrooms
• Canteen
• Break room
• Fridges and food storage facilities
• Emergency exits

Knowing your surroundings will naturally encourage you to feel more confident at work so that you can focus on your tasks without any added stress.

7. Take the Initiative

As part of your onboarding process, your manager will have training materials and tasks that they’ll guide you to complete, but taking the initiative on your own will help you succeed in those early days. Taking the initiative can come in many forms, and there are ways that you can do this from day one.

In the first few days of your role, taking notes with a pen and paper shows your new manager that you’re invested in the learning process, and later down the line, seeking out growth and development opportunities or feedback from colleagues shows that you’re actively taking the initiative of your own accord.

8. Don’t Expect Perfection

Finally, remember that learning the ropes takes time in any job, and you shouldn’t expect perfection immediately. Making mistakes is a key part of how we grow, so as long as you’re willing to learn from them and take on feedback, you shouldn’t worry if you don’t get things right 100% of the time at first. Just relax, enjoy the learning process and soak up as much knowledge as possible to successfully grow into your new career.

Although the first few weeks at your new job will be challenging, following these eight steps will help you structure and prepare for each day. Apart from these 8 steps, if you have any contract basis job, ensure to read the employment contract carefully. As long as you nail the basics, like dressing appropriately and planning a reliable commute, you can adapt to new ways of working as you go – do this, and the next chapter of your life will be full of success and achievement!