The first few days in a new job – how to avoid faux pas (Part I)

The closer the first day of the new job approaches, the more nervous the patient becomes. Compare it to the first time you travel to a new, foreign country on your own – you will learn and see lots of new things, but you will have to find your way around and communicate in a language that you may not be familiar with.

Even in a new job, you are initially not familiar with anything. And every job is different. Some companies will do everything possible to make the onboarding process positive, exciting, and useful. Other companies are more aloof and leave the new employee to their own devices. However, you should get an overview in the first few days, both of the content-related processes and formal requirements as well as of the informal customs. In the beginning, it is important to observe and absorb everything. Vigilance and humility are especially important at this stage.

Here are 5 tips to make sure you’re not starting on the wrong foot:

Don’t be on time

You read that right, avoid being on time for the first few days. On the first day, in particular, you should make sure that you are at work about half an hour before you start. This is wise for a couple of reasons. First, you have a lot of buffer time if the subway is delayed, you underestimated the traffic situation, or something important was forgotten at home. Second, it makes a positive one print if you show up five or ten minutes before the start of the workday. And above all: If you get to work earlier, it gives you the chance to start the day cool, calm and relaxed. If you’re early, you can spend some time in your car or the cafeteria across the street. Perhaps an opportunity to take another look at your hair and makeup. If you have problems with punctuality in the first few days and weeks, you have already lost a significant battle – trust in you. Your colleagues will take you as seriously as you seem to take yourself and your work seriously.

Be aware of the importance of your clothes

Never underestimate the importance of your clothes. Studies show that people judge you within seven seconds of meeting you. The way you dress can significantly affect this impression. On the first day, the focus should be less on your own style than on the willingness to integrate into a new environment. Both men and women should take care to avoid anything that causes physical discomfort.

Anyone who has ever had to stand and run in brand new pumps for a while knows what we’re talking about. In general, this results in the basic rule to rely on the tried and tested for the first few days. The clothes should have been worn at least once or twice. This is the only way to determine whether the dress is beautiful but completely unsuitable for sitting on. You will have enough to do with new things in the next few days. Use old standards in your clothing. The last thing you want is to hobble over from blisters or be distracted by a sweater that turns out to be itchy.

Determine the coffee situation

Figuring out the coffee formalities is just as important as the formal onboarding processes on day one. Knowing where the coffee is always a good strategy for success. It is important to find out whether there are unwritten rules in the company regarding coffee. Which are shared shelves? Who owns which cup? In some offices, it annoys colleagues when the wrong cup is used. Watch the situations. And by the way – there is nothing wrong with asking how the coffee maker works.

Introduce yourself and remember the names of your colleagues

Your manager or a colleague could show you around and introduce you to your team. But unfortunately, it is not always that way. It is best to take action yourself and try to get to know many of your colleagues. Nobody expects you to know and internalize the names of all colleagues by the end of the first day. If you have poor name memory, you can find some interesting memory tricks on the internet. And if you do get into a situation during the day, where you can’t remember the name of your colleague, don’t be afraid to just apologize and ask. Speaking of questions:

Ask questions/ask for help

Nobody expects you to know or understand everything in the first few weeks. Listen carefully to your co-workers, ask questions, and communicate openly if you can’t do something already. It is not advisable, just because pride can get in the way, of pretending to know something when it is not true.