Prepare for your First Day of New Job
When you are on the first day of your job, you may feel a little overwhelmed, and thus you say things that you shouldn’t say and do things you shouldn’t do. When you’re overwhelmed, you are also trying to over-do everything; for example, trying to get the approval of your boss and co-workers or trying to make yourself more likable in their eyes. On the first day of a new job, that’s terrible. Even it’s a paradox; the more you try to seek approval from others, the lesser you get. So, why not be a person who wants to learn and grow and get better!
When you come on the first day of a new job, your boss and peers expect you to behave like a human and not anything else. If you think you’re about to join a job and you don’t have a clue what you should say and shouldn’t, this article will help you. We will discuss what you shouldn’t say at all on the first day of a new job and in the end, we will offer you some first day of work tips on how to behave on the first day of a new job. If you read this article and apply, appearing on the first day at a new job wouldn’t be that overwhelming.
Things you Shouldn’t Say
The list includes a lot of many statements. So hang on, and we will tell you why you shouldn’t say these statements at all. Read one at a time, understand, and then go to the next.
1. Don’t begin the sentence with “In my last company…” or “At my last job….”
- Suppose you say that you would be viewed as a know-it-all person who is always blabbering about what s/he knows and not ready to learn anything new on the first day of a new job. It’s a given that when you’re on the first day of a new job, you’re expected to learn things, not teaching others (even if you join at a top post).
- The psychology behind saying this is you want to prove that you’re the perfect match for this job, and people should view you as someone who knows how to do things. But your effort to appease by saying this statement will only affect your first impression in the eyes of your co-workers. So don’t say this on the first day of your new job.
2. “Who is easy to talk to, and who should I avoid talking here?”
- This is the most horrible statement you can make on the first day of your new job. Why? Because it clearly says that you’re the one who discriminates and may tend toward office politics. On the first day of a new job, new employees talk to everyone and understand who.
- This statement is only being said on the first day of the job to pose that you’re smarter than everyone thinks. But while saying it, you do not sound smart, rather terribly stupid. To avoid this sort of statement, and you will be well off on the first day of your job.
3. “This is not the way I learned to do this.”
- It’s said that on the first day of your job, you need to have an open mind. Having an open mind means you’re not coming with any notion that you already know how to do it.
- If you say this statement, you may think it will flatter your boss or co-workers on the first day of your new job. But actually, it will work in a reverse direction. So stay away from saying the things like “I learned to do it this way” or “I know how it works” or something like that.
4. “I’ve to leave early on Friday.”
- Imagine that you have two employees. One who always works hard and takes on more responsibilities, and completes everything under deadlines. Another who always talks about taking leaves doesn’t work even a few hours a day and leaves early on Friday.
- If you can only retain one employee out of two, who will you keep? You know, right! So, if you speak as if leaving early on the first day of your job is the only thing you consider while not even understanding your areas of work properly, do you think employers will keep you around for long?
Saying this actually means that you’re here to enjoy, not to do deep work. And believe us – no employer can take that.
5. “My earlier boss was clueless..”
- On the first day of your new job, all you want to do is to create a great first impression (not trying to appease, though). But if you say a statement like this, do you think it would work out well on the first day of the job? Maybe your previous boss was not up-to-the-mark.
- But still, if you moan about it in your new company, the impression you will create about yourself will actually be of a whiner. And no one likes a whiner. So instead of doing that, pick something that your previous boss was good at and talk about it. It will create a much better expression for your boss and co-workers.
6. “Hey John, working hard or hardly working?”
- There are a few things that you will experience on the first day of your new job. But remember, you need to know the line and make sure that you don’t cross it. For example, while working, you may see that your co-workers mingle, gossip, and talk to each other for hours. Or maybe they’re having fun among themselves. But on the first day at your new job, you’re not invited.
- Thus, a statement like this will work against you. People will think that you perceive yourself to be too smart. So stay away. Remember, your co-workers are working for the new company for some time, and it’s the first day of your new job. They’ve served the company for some time, and they’ve earned this freedom to mingle, not you.
You’re very much new in the company. Know your limits and don’t cross them, especially on the first day at your new job.
7. “How do you do the party on holidays?”
- As we mentioned before it’s the same sort of question –“I’ve to leave early on Friday”, and it’s terrible. People will think that you’re only concerned about holidays and partying and not much interested in doing actual work. But, the company hired you to give them better ROI, and that’s the fact. So, if you’re more concerned about how a party is like on holidays, not work, why do they want to be around in the company?
8. “I would like to invite you all to a party.”
- There is a significant difference between personal and professional life. So, it is better that you don’t bring your personal life into your professional arena, especially on the first day of your new job. Once you’re working in the new company for some time, then it is okay. Even if you have something special, it’s always better to keep mum on the first day at your new job.
9. “When do I get a raise?”
- Only an insane person can ask this on the first day of a new job. We’re saying this not to label you or scare you, but simply to warn you that don’t make obvious things more obvious. You join the company maybe for other reasons than money. But money is a factor, and you know it on the first day of your job. So, it’s obvious that you will get to know when you will get a raise if you work here for some time. But asking this on the first day of the job? Who will do that?
- Imagine you’re saying that, and your employer is passing by. What would s/he think about you? Before even doing any work, you’re talking about raise! S/he may think that the only thing you’re concerned about is money and nothing else. And employers don’t like that sort of employee. So, don’t ask this insane question on the first day of your new job.
10. “What are the extra benefits you get as an employee here?”
- Why ask this question to a co-worker and even on the first day of the job? When you join, you will be given a manual for company policies, you can read it through, and if you have any questions, you can go to the HR person and ask about it, but please, not on the first day of the job.
- When you ask your co-worker about this on the first day of a new job, it’s so self-centric that it seems to create a bad impression.
11. “No, I have my own lunch, thanks!”
- It’s not an insane statement. But it shows a lack of initiation to bond with your co-workers. When you are on the first day of the job, naturally, you’re a little hesitant about the way things are in the new job environment. You seem to get confused about how to do what. And that’s the reason your co-workers always help you to find out the things you want. During lunchtime also, they will invite you to do the lunch together.
- If you say something like –“No, I have my own lunch, thanks!” it sounds snobby, and the co-worker would get hurt or defensive then on. So, better you avoid this statement. Even if you brought your own lunch, sit together and eat. It will show that you respect the help your co-workers are offering you, and you’re ready to know other people better.
- In the above, we have covered a majority of the statements you should avoid on the first day of your new job. But how should you behave on the first day of your job? What would be your attitude? How will you talk? What would you say? In the next section, we will etch out a brief guide for you so that you can get a clue or two about how to behave in the new work environment on the first day at a new job.
How to Behave on the First Day of New Job?
There is no hard and fast rule about what you should do on the first day at your new job. And even if we give a few, that won’t match with everyone because each one of us is different and unique.
So, we will give you few generalized tips for the first day of work and the rest you need to figure out as per your personality and the new job environment.
1. Be polite but not timid
On the first day of your new job, you should be polite to everyone and talk professionally. Don’t talk anything in regards to your personal frontier. If anyone is interested in talking to you about your past, bring in your professional experiences instead of personal stories. And don’t be timid. If someone puts you down on the first day of a new job, say it firmly and politely that you would be glad if they encourage you on your first day of a new job than to discourage you.
2. Speak less, observe more
Few of you may be talkative, and you talk a lot. But hold your tongue on the first day at your new job. Speak less. When someone speaks, just smile and nod your head instead of saying much. If you speak less, you can avoid speaking something odd. Normally when you speak a lot more than necessary, then only these sorts of ‘horrible’ statements get slipped from your tongue, and you get into great danger.
Simply listen more, smile more, nod more, and observe everyone around. See how they talk, what they say, how they giggle, and how they respond to other people. You will have an idea about the environment, and you will also find it easier to adapt on the first day at your new job.
3. Find out the person/s who can help you at the beginning
The reality is not everyone will help you on the first day at your new job. But few will. If you notice and observe people, you will have an idea to help you understand the organization better. But don’t ask any silly questions. Think before you ask anything. You can ask anything related to work and not about other things.
4. Prepare well before you join your new company
You need to do thorough research about the company, its achievements, merits and demerits, attrition rate, and many other details. And you also need to find out how it feels to be in the company. You can contact any ex-employee and ask all about the company. S/he may help you with that. But don’t ask anything horrible as we mentioned above on the first day at a new job.
These are the common things you should do on the first day at your new job. It’s sort of generalized. Add more or discard some as per your convenience. I wish you a great first day at your new job.
