{"id":1312,"date":"2017-09-13T23:42:39","date_gmt":"2017-09-13T23:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/caribbeanjobs.live.wordpress.stst\/careeradvice\/?p=1312"},"modified":"2019-07-23T17:56:09","modified_gmt":"2019-07-23T17:56:09","slug":"how-to-survive-your-first-day-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/how-to-survive-your-first-day-at-work","title":{"rendered":"How to Suceed in Your First Days at a new Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"justify\">Congratulations, you got the job! Well done! Now let&#8217;s think about the <strong>first day in the new job<\/strong>. The <strong>first day at work<\/strong> is a tense affair as you walk into completely unfamiliar surroundings. Much of the anxiety surrounding <strong>the first day at work<\/strong> stems from the fact that employees have a heightened need to impress their new company. The first step is to relax! Although organizations expect <strong>new hires<\/strong> to hit the ground running, you will receive a certain amount of leeway at the start.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">However, you don\u2019t want to rely on your employer\u2019s generosity! The best way to beat those nerves is to plan your first day as carefully as the <span style=\"color: #11bff3;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #11bff3;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.caribbeanjobs.com\/Jobs\" target=\"_blank\">job search that led you to the role<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. Whether you like it or not, the first day in a job sets the tone for your entire career at that firm so keep reading to learn a few quick survival tips.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How do I prepare for my first day at work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The big day has arrived so make sure you are up early and try to eat a hearty breakfast; it could be difficult with jangling nerves! Remember to shower, use deodorant, brush your teeth and floss. It seems like ridiculous advice as it is Personal Hygiene 101, but you would be amazed at the number of people that \u2018forget.\u2019<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Learn about your new employer, company information, culture, rules.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Learn everything you can about your new employer including its corporate culture, its range of products &amp; services and its philosophy. If possible, delve into your network to see if it is possible to arrange a meeting with one of the company\u2019s staff prior to your opening day.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Project a positive aura<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This is as simple as <strong>displaying a \u2018can-do\u2019 attitude<\/strong> and greeting colleagues with a smile and firm handshake. Show your enthusiasm and friendly demeanor from the get-go, and you\u2019ll find it easier to make friends and get your feet under the table in your new role.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Arrive on time<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Unless your interview was at the same time as you typically begin work, you\u2019ve no way of knowing how long it will take to get to the building from your home. While a trial run is a good idea, it is best to overestimate the length of your journey on your first few days. Aim to arrive<strong> between 10 and 20 minutes early<\/strong> on your first day at work, calculate your route in case you will be working in a location unfamiliar to you.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Accept social invitations.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The cardinal rule of your first day is to always accept invites to lunch or drinks after work. Say \u2018yes,\u2019 and you\u2019ll have the chance to become part of the group in double quick time. Say \u2018no,\u2019 and you\u2019ll be the subject of gossip; not a good way to start.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Socialize<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>At the office you will be working with many different people, it is critical to determine who answers to who straight away to avoid any embarrassment. In the meantime, for the first day If you\u2019re lucky, <strong>one of your new co-workers will invite you to lunch<\/strong>. Do not turn down the invitation! Forget about your packed lunch and mingle with your new associates. The same advice goes for post-work drinks invites. Just remember not to get drunk and say something you\u2019ll regret; not to mention the hangover!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Learn the names of your colleagues<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You\u2019re unlikely to work in a team so large that remembering everyone\u2019s names is impossible. Do your utmost to know everyone\u2019s name by the end of the first week. On Day 1, when you ask for help but forget the colleague\u2019s name, just apologize and take note of their name, so it doesn\u2019t happen again!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Understand the workplace rules and what is it expected from you.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your employer will have a written or verbal description of what\u2019s expected of you in the role. Of course, there will be a difference between this and the reality. In most cases, it is likely to be a few things expected of you that were not in the job description; \u2018unwritten\u2019 professional rules. If you\u2019re joining a front line position such as sales, call center representative, customer service position you need to be aware of the company culture, KPI&#8217;s, and Long-term goals of the company. Some of them might not be written in the paper so you must learn them as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Ask questions and prepare answers<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Write down general and practical questions about what you\u2019ll need to do to be successful in your role and ask these questions when you get the chance. However, Day 1 is more about listening than talking so soak up the knowledge you gain and learn everything you can about how your department work.<strong> Prepare a 30-second answer<\/strong> for when your new colleagues ask about <strong>who you are and where you used to work<\/strong>. Remember Your 30-Second Monologue. Also known as an \u2018elevator pitch,\u2019 this monolog is your way of quickly and concisely explaining who you are, what you are doing at the new company and what you did at your last job.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Ask for help if needed<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There is never a better time to ask for assistance than on your first day in a new job. It is always better to ask for help than to stubbornly carry on and get the task completely wrong. Listen to your co-workers and inform them, or management, of any issues that arise. Your first day is not the time to try and protect your pride.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How should I dress for the first day of work<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>First impressions really do last a lifetime in the workplace so if you want to be considered as an up and comer, don\u2019t arrive to work on your first day wearing a creased and crumpled shirt and trousers combo or worse yet, a novelty t-shirt that is supposed to be funny.<br \/>\nYou should even<strong> dress smartly<\/strong> on \u2018casual\u2019 days because at the start; you never know when you\u2019ll meet a major player within the organization or a big client. Unkempt equates to disorganized which means you have no chance of landing a big project. <strong>Quick tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Go for the right fit and look fresh.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is important to choose an outfit that&#8217;s properly tailored. A good example of this is a fitted pair of dark jeans and a nice shirt o blazer with good dress pants. Don&#8217;t borrow a button-up shirt from friends who are a size larger or smaller than you, if you need to borrow something make sure that it is the right fit for you. Go shopping if you don&#8217;t have the right clothes.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Iron and starch<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It will really help you pull off a polished, professional look keep in mind that you&#8217;re going for the first impression with colleagues, managers, support staff. Experts say that managers were 43% less likely to promote an employee who wore wrinkled clothes. Starch works best on natural fabrics like cotton and makes it extremely easy and fast to get wrinkles out.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Be colorful<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now that you\u2019re hired, you don\u2019t need to dress in neutral colors as you did during your interview. Guys, it\u2019s okay to add some color with your shirt, tie, chinos, or socks. Ladies, go ahead and wear a colorful pair of close-toed shoes or a printed blouse according to your style.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Chose the right accessories.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You probably have already a favorite watch or a bracelet, but if you don&#8217;t then think of buying a leather watch, neutral handbags or briefcases, and simple jewelry. Neutral accessories with a timeless style can really tie various types of look together and make you look and feel more professional providing a great appearance at the workplace since the very beginning of your career wherever you decide to work at. Also buying neutral or versatile accessories is good for your budget as the cost could be less than what you pay for something that you can use with specific clothes than another one that you can use it in different occasions.<\/p>\n<p>Always choose your most conservative outfits during the first day and the week one and try to have them clean, ironed and ready to wear. Make sure that your <span style=\"color: #11bff3;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #11bff3;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/office-dresscode-in-the-caribbean\" target=\"_blank\">dress code aligns to the organization and also that it matches what is okay socially in the company<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. The last thing you want is to try and iron a shirt five minutes before you leave while a piece of toast is still in your mouth.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What you should do on your first 30, 60, 90 days of a new job?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Keep your energy levels<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is relatively easy to stay alert in the early hours of the morning on your first day as adrenaline helps you get through. It isn\u2019t as easy after lunch, however. It is crucial to show your work ethic and energy levels in your first couple of weeks because that\u2019s what external observers will judge you on initially. This is because your work skills and competency for the role will not be apparent yet.<\/p>\n<p>Although it is tempting to begin month one as a whirlwind of activity, can you keep up the Human Dynamo impression for a week? A month? A year? Probably not; so why set an impossibly high standard? Do your best to impress but be mindful that your work rate on Day One should be the same on Day 51.<\/p>\n<p>Realistically, your first day will not be a flawless success so if you do something wrong, don\u2019t be too harsh on yourself. Always prepare and strive to have a successful and productive first day but if you overdo it, the job may immediately seem too difficult. Bear in mind that no matter what job you have in Trinidad and Tobago, it gets easier with practice, you might want to be sure to remain calm but <span style=\"color: #11bff3;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #11bff3;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/increase-your-productivity-at-work\" target=\"_blank\">efficient and productive over the time<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is important to have a good communication within the workplace relations, and in your day to day job performance. An honest, direct, and concise communication allow companies, teams, and areas to work properly according to the common objectives that are relevant to the business. It also provides a peace of mind knowing that your counterpart (Boss, colleagues, team members, support staff) understands your idea or concern about a topic. It is important to self-assess how good your communication skills,\u00a0Are they Excellent? Good? Regular? Bad? Need to improve?<\/p>\n<p>Landing in a new job opportunity gives you the chance to improve your communication skills are regular or bad. It is important to understand the context of every conversation and provide opinions according to that context. Also, if there\u2019s feedback about an area or specific team member it is important to follow the communication channels that the company has arranged. Keep in mind your goal is to <span style=\"color: #11bff3;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #11bff3;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/how-to-make-a-good-impression-at-a-job-interview\" target=\"_blank\">make a good impression in the first days at work just as you did in the interview<\/a><\/strong><\/span> so think about the impression you will create before you say a comment or thought.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><strong>Review your performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You got the job position you looked for. But your days of having to prove your value to the company are just beginning. Some companies do have structured processes, so they can assess your performance properly and determine if you keep the position or if you will be let go. It is important to understand your job position in the very first days, so you can do well your job and therefore stay in the company. Even if they don\u2019t have a structured process it is important to do some self-criticism to be aware of what you\u2019re doing well and what you can improve.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Wrap up<\/strong><br \/>\nAlthough your first day at work in Trinidad and Tobago is extremely important, don\u2019t be upset if it doesn\u2019t go spectacularly well. It is normal to reflect on your first day and lament the choices you made, but it is a learning process. Just be relaxed, personable, polite and energetic and soon, you\u2019ll make friends and settle into the role.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to your first day at work, you\u2019ll normally experience a healthy degree of nervous excitement coupled with trepidation. Change is never an easy process, and few things shred the nerves more than your first day in a new role.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1274,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77,70,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ask-the-expert","category-growth-development","category-working-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1312"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1347,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1312\/revisions\/1347"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanjobs.com\/careeradvice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}