4 Things To Do In Your First Week At A New Job

The first week at a new job is the most important week of all. You’ll be learning a lot, meeting new people, and getting settled into a new routine. To get off to a great start at a new job, there are four things you should do.

Take notes.

You’ll be taking in a lot of information in a short period of time, and it’s hard to take in that much new knowledge without something slipping though the cracks. Ensure that you remember everything you’re learning by taking notes.

If possible, take notes by hand. It’s the best way to commit things to memory and it ensures that you aren’t on your phone, which can give a bad impression. The problem with taking notes on your phone is that people might assume you’re not paying attention or going on social media. Use a tablet or laptop to take notes if you’re not comfortable writing them by hand.

Make a friend.

It can be tough to be the new person at a job, so make it a priority to befriend at least one of your new colleagues. This friendship will help you feel more settled in and less lonely at work.

By having a work friend, you’ll have someone who can show you the ropes and be your go-to person when you have questions. They can help you navigate the social circles at work, show you the best places to eat, and all the other things that you won’t learn in orientation.

Be on time.

Nothing is more frustrating to a manager than an employee who shows up late, especially when that employee is new. It’s disrespectful and makes you look lazy and disengaged – not exactly the first impression you want to make at a new job.

In the first couple of weeks, allow yourself extra time to get to work. You never know what the traffic will be like, so until you’ve been doing your commute for a couple of weeks and learn the traffic patterns, plan for extra time. This way you can get to work without being stressed

Jump right into the work.

After you’ve completed your training, start working. Being new is no excuse to not put in 100% effort. It might take you a bit longer until you get comfortable working with a new system or doing a new type of work, but no one will fault you for that as long as your put in a good faith effort. You’ll gain the respect of your colleagues by jumping right into the work as well.

If you aren’t sure how to do something, ask your colleagues for help. It’s better to reach out and learn how to do something properly than to struggle and potentially make a big mistake. This links back to making work friends – they’re the people you’ll be able to turn to and ask questions without fear of being judged.

Overall, the best thing you can do to be successful in your new job is to give it your all and be confident in your abilities.