Let me be the first one to congratulate you on this new position before we get started. Unfortunately, the first day is always nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve leveled up in the same company. But the same goes for someone who accepts a new position in an entirely new company. All in all, you need to be ready for this.

First impressions will likely remain in your co-workers’ minds forever- so no pressure! That said, how do you ensure your first day is successful? What do you do? Or better yet, where do you start? Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll highlight tips to help you get a successful first-day impression. And with that in mind, let’s get started, shall we?

Top Tips to Having a Successful First Day at a New Position

1. Research

If you’ve got a new position in a company you’ve been working for, I’m sure you already know what you’ll be responsible for. However, if not, you will likely have some time to spare between accepting the job and starting it. Take this time to learn more about this new position, its responsibilities, and your daily tasks.

That will ensure you already know what you are getting yourself into. Typically, that also means you won’t have any surprises on your first day. You can serve out a notice at your old job. That will allow you to prepare adequately, research enough, and kill it on your first day.

2. Be on time or early

Keeping time shows your dedication and speaks volumes about your work ethic. However, there’s no need to get there before the cleaning crew. An ideal time is to get there 15 minutes early. Imagine if you got to work late, sweating since you were in a rush? Do you think that will be a good show, especially on your first day? I think not!

Arriving early at work will ideally provide you with enough ‘wiggle room’ in case of any unexpected delays. That also gives the vibe that you are eager and ready to start working in your new position.

3. Don’t stress

There’s that one moment that you are likely to start getting anxious and worried about whether you’ll ace it or not. Here’s the truth: you will obviously get the first week jitters or stress of some level despite how experienced you are. The trick is to own it and take care of yourself. Do everything in your power to boost your self-confidence.

An excellent example is to dress the part, sleep well and hydrate. You can also try meditation, journaling, and breathing exercises. That will give you the strength you need to pull through any stressful moment.

Without a doubt, starting a new job overwhelms everyone, so it’s natural to feel the way you do. Just try to be grateful for actually getting the new position. And relax: they already like you. I mean, that’s why you got the new job in the first place!

4. Ask questions

The fact that you finally got the job shouldn’t make you overly confident, even though your previous position ideally involved the same thing as your new one. It can be disastrous to assume you know how things are done and eventually mess it up. Within the first few days, you usually have a grace period where you can ask questions without anyone assuming you know what should be done.

Use this period to your advantage and ask as many questions as possible, especially if you are unsure about a specific procedure. It’s incredibly rare for a manager to get annoyed with an employee, especially a new one to a specific position to ask for clarification.

Additionally, asking questions is an excellent conversation starter with your co-workers. For some reason, asking your co-workers questions or clarifications makes them like you. That said, don’t be afraid to ask anyone for clarification.

5. Memorize the organization chart

In your new position, you might easily confuse the roles of different individuals within the organization. And without a doubt, that will ruin your first impression. To avoid such instances, whether you’ve been working in the company for a while or it’s your first time in this business, memorize the organization chart.

Ensure you fully understand the role of the broader team within the organization. That should help you avoid stepping on people’s toes. Additionally, you’ll get to know their names and how they will impact your new position.

6. Secret tip: create a list of questions

As you prepare for your new position, I’m sure you already have an idea of what you will ask. Unfortunately, you’ll likely forget these questions because of the first week’s jitters. The best option is to list them down before the arrival day. Nobody will tell you this, but it could be the difference between messing up your first day and having a successful one.

The first chance you get, ask these questions to the right party. Even if you have an experience with this position, I’m sure there are certain things you’ll need clarification on. As I previously pointed out, don’t assume to know yet you are unsure about the procedure. That way, you can set yourself up for an informative and productive first day.

Summary

And there you have it! Easy, peasy, right? Your first day at any position should be exciting and not frightening, despite the nervousness you might have. The best thing is to always prepare in advance, ensure you know what you are getting into, and show up on time, if not earlier.

Today, offices are designed as the best places to learn, grow and represent yourself in a positive light. This new position is the perfect chance for you to learn and grow. Start your productive first day by simply having a plan; the rest will fall in place like magic. Whatever you don’t know, just ask your colleagues or manager. They’ll be happy to help. Who knows! You might make your first friend with a simple question.