With nearly 50% of households living paycheck to paycheck it is important to make an impact on your first day of a new position. Sure, you have an interview outfit and amazing phone voice, but what about when you are trying to get the copier to work on your first day? Thankfully, we’ve got some quick tips to help you make a great impression on your first day of work at a new job.
Dress to Impress
Sure, you’ve heard this one before about interviews, but on the first day, you are still making those first impressions. Studies show that first impressions are formed within seven to 17 seconds of meeting someone, so these impressions are not based on your actual work ethic. Even if you only have 17 seconds to impress someone, you can rock their world by keeping a professional and tidy appearance since 55% of a person’s opinion formed in those 17 seconds is based on physical appearance.
Make sure your first day of work outfit fits you well and is comfortable and suitable to your job tasks. This will allow you to look professional and put together while projecting confidence because your clothes aren’t cutting you in half. By wearing clothes suitable to your job tasks, you are showing how you are prepared for your new position.
Practice Active Listening
Since your first day will be filled with trainings and introductions, be sure to actively listen as you are being trained on your duties. This will show you are there to work within the company’s processes and want to do the work properly. Don’t be afraid to take notes and ask questions to be sure you thoroughly understand the office’s procedures for your duties. Active listening will also allow you to better learn your new co-workers’ names, making it easier to connect with the people in the office who can help you the most as you progress in your new position.
Showing you are an active listener can also help you advance since it is a valuable skill when faced with one of the nearly 11 million meetings per day in the U.S., especially those meetings taking place with the assistance of video conferencing or VoIP services.
Use Your Lunch Break
Your lunch break can be a great way to connect with your new co-workers and show you paid attention when you were given the first day tour and introduced to everyone. If it seems there is a crowd in your break room then it may be time to take your lunch and find your work crew. By finding a group to socialize with on your lunch break, you are showing your new employer that you are a team player, even with other departments. Plus, you never know if you’ll end up eating lunch with the president of the company.
Smile
It may seem like a given that you should smile on your first day, but many new hires get so worried about making a good impression or getting lost going to the bathroom that they forget to smile. Smiling is the easiest way to make a good first impression because it makes you seem approachable, like the problem solver that your company is looking for. Smiling also helps you to keep a positive outlook as you are learning the ins and outs of your new role. By greeting each task with a smile, you will express a go-getter attitude that all companies are looking for.
By smiling and dressing to impress you can really project a positive outlook to make a great first impression. While utilizing active listening to keep on top of your training and make the most out of your lunch breaks you can show your new company that you are a go-getter who is ready to work hard for them.
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