Your attitude in the workplace is just as important as your skills and competencies. Learning to tackle a new job requires a unique combination of zeal and communication skills, whether it's a high-stress office or a busy restaurant. You can learn how to make a good first day impression and turn that feeling into a good reputation in the future.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Starting a New Job
Step 1. Make sure you are at work early
On the very first day, it's important to make a good impression and be on time. Make sure you arrive in time to change and get ready by the scheduled time, if necessary, so that you can be immediately operational. Try to be ready 10-15 minutes before the start of your shift.
- If you need to take public transport or your new workplace is somewhere unfamiliar to you, then take a test trip a few days in advance to make sure you know the route and duration.
- Do not be late for the schedule, otherwise you would make it clear that you are unable to manage your time efficiently. Make a good impression on the employer by showing up in time to prepare for the day and then leave when you're done.
Step 2. Listen and do what you are told
In most cases, no one expects you to excel in all duties right away; mostly employers know that every new employee follows a certain learning curve. So don't worry too much about making mistakes and messing around on the first day, rather focus on learning everything you can and paying attention to make sure you don't forget some instructions.
Make it your goal to fail once. If your boss tells you how to do a job, listen and remember their words so you don't have to ask again
Step 3. Don't be afraid to ask questions
A lot of new hires are afraid to ask questions and this leads them to make huge mistakes. Know when to ask for help. You have nothing to be ashamed of for this, especially on your first day. It is better to have a task explained to you once and you are sure to do it well, rather than trying to find a mistake later.
Step 4. Try to understand what will happen next
In each environment the work process is very different. Even if you are very talented and have all the skills, it will not be easy for you to understand what will happen next and in what order. The best way to stand out from the crowd and show yourself as a good addict from day one is to analyze the situation and understand the next steps.
- In some cases, your first day at work requires you to be on your feet a lot, moving from one station to another to observe experienced colleagues. When you notice that there is a chance to get busy, take action. If you see another employee carrying a large pile of bags from place to place, don't wait to be told to help.
- In other workplaces, it is better for you to ask for more information instead of moving on your own. If you have recently started working in the kitchen and you have to wash some dishes, it may seem trivial to have to put them in the dishwasher; however, you may need to follow a certain procedure, so please inform yourself.
Step 5. Clean without being asked
A common aspect of all workplaces is cleanliness and safety. You shouldn't need training to keep your workplace tidy. Check if you can rearrange objects or if there are areas to clean up, so that the workplace is perfect and you can move easily.
- If you work in the office, change the filter on the coffee machine and fill the pod drawer. Clean the cups and spoons and throw the waste away. Take out the trash and help clean the common areas if needed.
- If you work in a kitchen or restaurant, make sure there are no obstacles that people can trip over or help wash the dishes in the back. You can also stay at the sink for a while to clean the dishes, if necessary. Find a way to stay busy.
Step 6. Just be yourself
What makes your first day at work a success is not what you know, your talent, or even what you do. The key is your attitude. The employer hired you because they noticed something special, a good combination of skills and personality that will make a contribution to the workplace. Have faith in your ability to succeed and don't think you have to be the person you are not.
You don't have to act like your colleagues do, for better or for worse. It takes some time for people to adapt to the presence of a new employee, so give your workmates this period so they can get used to your personality instead of changing your behavior to match theirs
Part 2 of 3: Being a Good Worker
Step 1. Set short-term goals
Being a good employee involves going beyond the call of duty. Try to give your best by setting personal short-term goals that allow you to stay motivated and stand out from the crowd. After a few days of work, try to identify which are the fields in which you need to work the most and establish the goals you want to achieve.
- If you work in a kitchen, you can count on being able to remember all the sandwich recipes by the end of the month, so you don't have to go through your notes. Or you can try to improve your dish preparation time until it catches up with your colleagues.
- In the first two weeks of work, focus more on the quality of your work and less on efficiency. Make each sandwich perfectly before you worry about making it fast. The speed and the increase in production are objectives that you will have to face later.
Step 2. Be realistic and willing to do what you can do
Good workers are volunteers who are ready to take on other responsibilities and tasks when asked. If you want to grow your reputation as a reliable worker, then be willing to do whatever it takes.
- It is equally important that you recognize your limitations. If you already have ten tasks to do before the day is over, don't volunteer for another one that takes several hours to complete. Organize your time efficiently.
- Also be very careful not to get overwhelmed. If a colleague asks you to do something that you have doubts about, then it may be wiser to think of an alternative plan. Move tactfully and bring the matter to your boss if necessary.
Step 3. Do your job and not that of others
Good workers commit to their tasks and think about their business. When you are in the workplace, focus on your job and try to get it done to the best of your ability. Don't waste time caring about other people's tasks or duties. Get noticed for fulfilling all your commitments.
Avoid gossip. In the workplace it is very easy to join small groups that distract you from your responsibilities. Focus on your duties and not on the quality of other people's work
Step 4. Be active
If you notice dirt on your workplace floor, don't walk on it and then tell your boss that someone needs to clean. Bend over and clean yourself. Do some homework for the sake of the work environment and not to look like a better employee.
Step 5. Make improvements
Carry out your duties with care and finish them, then consider if you can do something more to help your company achieve its goals. Good employees bring creative ideas to improve and tactics to optimize efficiency, so that the workplace is a better place.
Try to find some creative ideas every couple of months and then keep them on hand just in case they prove useful. Take five minutes to talk privately about your ideas with the manager instead of presenting them directly to a crowded meeting
Part 3 of 3: Having the Right Attitude
Step 1. Set some long-term work goals
Where do you want to be in five years? And in ten? How can current work help you achieve these goals? Set clear and achievable career goals and constantly work in that direction. Being aware of how your daily work relates to the long-term goals in your life allows you to feel confident and motivates you to improve both the company and yourself.
- Commit yourself and keep a list of the purposes for which you are working that can be of help and motivation week after week. What you are doing right now may not seem important to you now, but how could it launch you towards the goals you have set for yourself? How could it help you make a career?
- Remember that the goals your company is working towards are equally important and you should always keep them in mind.
Step 2. Speak respectfully to other workers
Employers appreciate employees who support colleagues. When you commit and go out of your way to accomplish your business goals, then you become a trustworthy and authoritative person. Use this influence of yours to help those who are deserving of praise and promotion.
- If other employees make fun of or criticize a colleague, do not participate in these discussions. In the workplace it is easy to find yourself in some irreverent group, but this generates a "toxic" culture of work, try not to be part of it.
- If you behave unethically to make a career in your company, you could gain some positions in the short term, but you will be a loser in the future because you have developed bad relationships with other employees. Have the manager evaluate your job and skills and determine the best position you can occupy in the company.
Step 3. Commit to what you are doing
Employers value employees who are proud of what they do. If you do a job that you are really passionate about, then everything will be easier. Conversely, if you work just to make it to payday, then it will be much harder to get involved. Find ways to get passionate and commit to what you do and let that feeling shine through your actions.
For now, stay focused on what the job offers you and remember that being successful in this job makes it easier for you to find your way to your goals. If you work to support your family or pay for college, know that your current job has a big impact on these aspects of your life
Step 4. Treat all people you relate to with dignity and respect
Although there are individuals with whom it is not easy to deal with in the workplace, remember that when you turn to them in a bad way, you are actually negatively affecting your career opportunities within the company. Your colleagues have been selected with great care, just like you have been; for this reason, showing contempt and irreverence towards all the workers you meet is interpreted as contempt for the intelligence of the employer.
