Nail Your First Week At Work!

A survey showed that bosses can tell within your first two weeks whether you will be successful or not. Which means, you really don’t have a lot of time to prove to your boss that you’re a good hire.

Here’s the good news – there is plenty that you can do in your first week to make a great impression. And we have them right here for you.

Be a Sponge! Absorb anything and everything in your first week – your company’s culture, the working styles of your colleagues, your boss’s idiosyncrasies, office politics – basically anything that will give you a better insight on how to react, work and cooperate.

How to be a sponge? Officially, you can go to the new hire orientation (if your company has it) and unofficially, you can join in on lunches with your new colleagues or take part in informal events like Friday after-work events. This is a great way to not only meet new people but also to learn as much as you can about the company, especially the people you deal with directly.

Ask Questions From your job scope to the projects you’re involved in and even the people you’re working with. As for the latter, make sure it doesn’t come across like you’re gossiping but that you have a genuine interest in finding out more about your colleagues.

Jot it All Down Take notes! In your first week, you’ll be bombarded by so many details that your brain is sure to be on overload. Write everything down so that you have it on hand to refer later.

Speak Up As the newbie, you are more likely to fade into the background than be the center of attention. Our advice? Meet in the middle – not too much a wallflower but not too forward that your colleagues find you intrusive. At meetings or discussions, don’t be afraid to contribute and add value. If you’ve been hired for a particular skill, make sure to share that knowledge with your teammates. But be careful not to overstep boundaries – you don’t want to come off as brash.

Don’t Be the Last One In, First One Out Nothing says bad hire than someone who comes to work late but the first to bolt out the door the minute the clock hits 6pm. Be on time and stay on for a few minutes more if necessary. This is a great way to show that you’re a hard worker and you’re eager to learn.

Get Involved You’re basically there to learn the ropes and feel your way through the office the first week. So make yourself available - volunteer to help your colleagues out or check in with your boss on what needs to be done. This shows initiative and quickly builds rapport with everyone on your team, which will come in handy when the real work starts.

3 THINGS NOT TO DO ON YOUR FIRST WEEK!

#1 Don’t get caught texting and scrolling Nobody wants to know they hired someone with their nose perpetually stuck in their mobile phone, checking Twitter and Instagram.

#2 Don’t be a smarty pants People will like you better when you’re humble, not with a know-it-all attitude. So you know the answer. Demonstrate it by contributing value, not showing off.

#3 Don’t get caught up in office gossip You want to start off positive, not someone who likes to stir the pot.