Making the right impression on your first day

By Guidant Global

There’s no avoiding the fact that your first day will be challenging. There’s a range of new things to learn, and at the same time, a variety of new people to meet and impress. This guide provides simple tips and advice on making an immediately positive impact in your new role.

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Be polite

First and foremost, be polite; it’s the simplest way of making a positive start.
Psychologists suggest it takes a person just one tenth of a second to form an opinion of someone. This means that factors beyond your control will affect how you’re perceived on your first day.
But one thing you can control is your manners; all those initial interactions will make a lasting impact.

Talk to people and ask for help

Typically, people worry about asking too many questions on their firstday and seeming like a burden. However, not askingfor support at all willbe far more damaging. If you don’t ask for support, you’llappear nervous and standoffish. If you ask for help in a friendly and polite manner, you’llseem enthusiastic and eager to learn.

Don't gossip

 It’s possible that one or two of your new colleagues may discuss office politics withyou. Try to avoid these discussions and certainly don’t joinin – it’s important that you don’talienate yourself from anyone at this early stage.

Listen

The first day is not the time to be explaining to your boss or colleagues abouthow you did things differently at your old job. Your knowledge and insight will be invaluable in the long-term, but on your first day it may make you seem arrogant or condescending. Be cautious and spend the day carefully listening and taking it all in.

Be willing

There are few safer ways of making a goodfirst impression thanoffering to makeyour colleagues a cup of tea. And this principle applies to anything you might do on your first day. Be willing to help anyone relevantwith any task, big or small; your willingness will speak volumes about your attitude.

Be positive

Be positive about everything.

Your new colleagues may be negative about certain aspects of your new company, butdon’t let this tempt you into joining them. You may also be tempted to complain about your old job, company or colleagues, but you should avoid this too. There’s a good chance you’ll be remembered as cynical and negative, because these first impressions can be difficult to dislodge over time.

Make mistakes but be honest about them

The besttime to make mistakes is on your first day; to some extent it’s expected. Be honest about them and ask what you should have done differently. As a result, you’ll earn the respect of your manager, and you’ll get better at the job. If you try to hide your mistakes, you won’timprove, and you’lllose trust if you’re found out.

Get in early

Another very simple way of making a good start is to get in early. It will also be far less nerve-wracking to avoid getting in at the same time as everyone else. Being early will allow you to get settled and awake before the day properly begins.

Don't work too fast

There’s inevitablya desire to show how hard-working you are on your first day.This is a good trait to exhibit, but working too eagerly and quickly is dangerous. With all the new processes and systems you’ll be working with,getting things done quicklywill make mistakes even more likely. Working too quickly may also set unrealistic targets. Concentrate on getting thingsright and learning as much as you can. Pace yourself.