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New Starter Tips - Make a great first impression!

Posted by Matt Barker

on 27 October 2022

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​New Starter Tips - Your first week

 Starting a new job can be daunting and with any luck, something you don’t have to do too often.Even CEOs and Directors have first day nerves so it’s not surprising to have ‘butterflies in your stomach’.

 Most companies will have a structured onboarding plan for your first days and weeks, and time will normally fly by.Here are some tips to make a great first impression and set the scene for a fruitful step in your career.

  1. Turn up early and make time to relax before you go into work.If you haven’t been to the office before, allow an extra 15 mins to make sure you find the building.Make sure you arrive at the building with a few mins to spare.

  2. Check the dress code in advance.Nobody wants to turn up in a Metallica tee-shirt if everybody else is in a business suit (or vice versa).

  3. First impressions count. A big smile, eye-contact and a firm handshake go a long way to projecting confidence.Showing enthusiasm will let them know that you’re excited and serious about your new role.

  4. Make a point of introducing yourself to colleagues and finding out who does what.It’s great to break the ice. Most people will be delighted to tell you about their role and you’ll know who you can go to for advice if you get stuck.

  5. Before you join, it's worth connecting with some of your future colleagues on LinkedIn, this can be a great way to get to know ‘who’s who’ in the business and potentially break-the-ice.

  6. Be proactive! Find out what materials are available to accelerate your onboarding and take ownership of your development.

  7. Ask lots of questions, this is another great way to show enthusiasm in the first few days.People are normally very keen to help and of course, there is no such thing as a stupid question.

  8. Be open minded.Even if you have industry experience, try to lose any preconceived ideas that the role will be the same. Try not to make any comparisons to your old job as this may make you seem hard to coach.

  9. Book 1-2-1 with your boss at regular intervals to track progress and set expectations

  10. Look After yourself! The first few weeks are normally intense - Eat well, sleep well and exercise to make sure you feel and perform at your best.

Of course, if you have any questions at all you can reach out to BMS anytime for a chat!

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