Got a new job? How to survive your first week at work with confidence – from small talk to the survival bag to buffer time!
So you’ve finally made it: you’re about to walk through the door of your new company and meet your new bosses, colleagues, and responsibilities. Nervous? Of course you are. Prepared? If the answer is no, you need to read this article. Instead of putting your foot in your mouth, it will help you make a positive impression at work.
1. What kind of place is this? Mastering the art of small talk
It’s your first day and you trip over the office dog, you forget what industry you work in during your first small talk with new colleagues, and during lunch everyone is talking about the weekend’s headlines – where am I?
Before you stumble into your first day at your new job, it’s worth doing a little research. What’s the company culture like? What are the values, news and trends? Armed with this knowledge, you’ll arrive with more confidence and score points during your first small talk.
2. Who are the people here? Is that the janitor or the manager?
You are standing in the kitchen, a man comes in and you ask him how long he has been working here. Turns out – it’s the manager. Oops! That went badly, but such gaffes can be avoided with a little research. Find out who your supervisors and managers are. You may even be able to find an organizational chart of the company or look up new colleagues on LinkedIn. This will give you some direction and maybe even something to start a conversation with when you meet people.
3. Dress to impress – or, why is everyone here wearing a tie?
It’s your first day at work, you’re motivated – and pretty casual. Jeans, T-shirt, sneakers – that’s fine, right? But as soon as you take off your jacket, it hits you: everyone else is wearing suits and shiny leather shoes. You feel like you’ve arrived at a gala in your pajamas.
Or the opposite: You arrive at the office, perfectly styled in a suit and tie or a pencil skirt, and your new team greets you in jeans and comfortable hoodies. While they casually sip coffee, you suddenly feel overdressed like a wedding guest at a barbecue.
How do you avoid such outfit failures? It’s easy: Just take a look at the company’s website or social media page before you go. Do they have photos? Perfect! The clothing of your future colleagues is your benchmark. If you’re unsure, it’s better to be safe than sorry and go for something a little more elegant – too chic is always better than too casual.
Tip: If you are really unsure, ask politely in advance. No one will judge you for showing interest in the dress code – on the contrary, it shows that you want to be prepared.
4. Help, my stomach is growling! – What to pack in your survival bag
You’ve barely arrived before it starts: onboarding, meetings, briefings – and before you know it, you’re sitting in a meeting that goes on for hours. Suddenly you hear a loud rumbling sound … your stomach! It doesn’t get much more embarrassing than that, but you can take precautions. A granola bar, nuts, or a banana in your pocket can get you through until lunchtime.
And then there’s all that information about new coworkers, tasks, and tools-how are you supposed to remember it all? Simple: with your smart notebook buddy.
What else do you need to remember? Important documents that HR needs from you on your first day. That way, you’ll be prepared to make a professional first impression.
5. Buffer time instead of embarrassment – How to avoid being late on your first day at work
What if the bus leaves without you and you get lost on your way to the office? Too bad, but of course excuses like that don’t help your first impression. It’s better to plan your trip well in advance and build in plenty of buffer time. It’s better to stop for a coffee around the corner before you stroll into the office on time and relaxed. It may also be worthwhile to test the route in advance.
6. Your new colleagues will love you for these traits
Do you want to quickly integrate into the team, understand processes and tasks, and just fit in? Ask open-ended questions to better understand workflows and show an interest in learning and helping others. Your team will appreciate your attentiveness and positive attitude.
But don’t overdo it: jumping in too quickly or being overzealous can quickly come across as intrusive. Similarly, you should avoid being too reserved and appearing disinterested or disengaged. Find the right balance – show genuine interest and pleasant humility, and you’ll get off to a good start.
You can also score points with a friendly tone of voice. Saying “thank you,” “please,” and “good morning” sincerely will help you make a good impression on people.
