Congratulations on your new job! You are probably feeling excited but nervous, as it can also be a little overwhelming. But that’s understandable — it can be a daunting experience for even the most seasoned professionals! However, it’s important you make a good first impression and gradually settle into your role so you can relish the next phase of your career. Here are some tips for starting a new job.

Your first day will probably be one of the most challenging days as you’ll be bombarded with so much information and new experiences.

Careful planning is vital, and some things worth considering include:

• Contact your manager and ask if they have any recommendations for how to prepare. Reading material on the company and its products or services can give you insights. These include their website, annual reports and company newsletters.
• Where you were interviewed may not be where you’ll be working, so check where you need to go.
• Check transport schedules and parking availability so you can arrive on time.
• Your manager. Confirm who you need to check in with when you get there, and if you’re unsure, contact the HR team.
• If you haven’t already supplied, take along personal information such as your bank account and super fund details and your tax file number. You might also need to sign a contract, a confidentiality agreement or other documents on the day.
• Work hours. Know when you need to arrive and what hours you’ll be working after that.
• Dress code. Find out what you should wear. If you need to wear a uniform, make arrangements to collect this prior to your first day if possible.
• Confirm if your workplace has a kitchen or meal area and what facilities are available for you to buy or prepare meals. Ask for lunch recommendations if you prefer to purchase your meals.
• Workplace policies – Find out what policies and procedures need to be adhered to in your new workplace. There are also some rights and responsibilities that apply to all employers and employees. You can find out more here.

Once you’re there, try to relax

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience new things, learn new skills and meet new people. Embrace it! You should also try to:

Have a positive attitude

As you make your morning commute, remind yourself that the company chose you for a reason, so you have what it takes to master the role. Thinking back over your qualities and skills can further boost your confidence and motivation.

Be outgoing and confident

Your first few weeks or months will involve a steady flow of new faces, introductions and learning your colleagues’ names. If you struggle to put a name to a face, ask for a reminder — you’ll soon master who’s who in your new workplace. Also, try to confidently introduce yourself to new colleagues you run into. By remaining assertive and professional yet approachable in the early days, you’ll cement your reputation as a valued team member.

Plan an introduction

Creating a professional first impression is an essential part of building strong working relationships. When introduced to your new colleagues be ready to share information about yourself. However, it’s not necessary to reveal everything about yourself — communicating your background, and a little bit about you as a person should be enough!

Stay neutral

One of the worst things you can do when starting a new job is to get involved in gossip or office politics. If a conversation with a colleague turns into gossip, politely accept or deflect their opinions without getting involved further.

Listen and learn

When starting a new job, there is often a steep learning curve. Aim to take in as much information as possible, but also be prepared to ask questions. Also, remember that you are not expected to know everything from the start, and that a thorough understanding of any expectations will help you become a valuable team member in the early stages.

Take a physical tour

Most companies will offer this straight up. Note the location of bathrooms, the kitchen, the office supply room, and privacy/conference rooms where you might be able to spend a few moments of quiet time to regroup if you need to.

Take an organisational tour

This will allow you to understand where the major departments are, such as the areas you will work with, and the key support functions, such as the finance, HR and IT departments.

Take your manager’s lead

Typically you will have an induction period that will involve you becoming familiar with how the organisation works and your role within it. You can offer to get started straight away. But be aware, undertaking work assignments may be a gradual process.

Ask how they like to communicate

Is it via email, messenger, phone call or a physical visit to their office? Don’t assume your manager communicates like other managers you may have had before. Everyone is different.

Check in with them frequently

Most managers will schedule catch-up meetings with their staff. However, being proactive about checking in will allow you to get feedback and make necessary adjustments. This will show them you are open to change and willing to improve.

Ask them for more (or less) work

Your manager probably won’t know the full extent of your knowledge and skills or how quickly you will pick things up. They may give you tasks that are too easy or too much work or deadlines that are too tight. This is why frequent check-ins are valuable. They can offer real-time feedback, and your manager can gauge how quickly and effectively you work. Your manager can then adjust the pace accordingly or give you additional training or other support.

Get to know your colleagues

Lunch with your new colleagues is a great way to get to know them in a relaxed environment. Your peers can help you assimilate and offer valuable insights into the company and its employees. It can also help you build and maintain productive relationships and enhance your emotional intelligence.