You’ve done the hard part of applying, interviewing, and enduring the endless waiting – you finally have the job. Beginning a new job is certainly exciting, but being the “new employee” on the floor is not always easy. It means a new onslaught of “firsts” is coming your way: a new environment, new skills to learn, new hours, new procedures, and new management. Making it through the first week may seem like an uphill climb, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Check out Workbox’s Staffing handy survival guide to help you make your first week on the job a breeze.
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1. Get Plenty of Rest < br>Make sure that you begin your day with sufficient sleep (at least eight hours); especially if you are working a late or closing shift.
2. Know Your Way to Work< br>Make sure you know the directions to work before your first shift. This will save you time and prevent any kind of last-minute panic in the morning.
3. Eat a Healthy Breakfast< br>Since you’ll be learning new tasks and meeting new people, your stress level likely will be a little higher, which means you’re going to need extra energy. Healthy eating is extremely helpful in boosting your energy and preparing you for a full day of work. Even if you’re not a breakfast person, break your habit this time. Try to eat something with protein, like eggs or peanut butter, to give you sufficient energy and to keep you full through lunchtime. Some health experts claim Vitamin B is also great for leveling stress and building energy.
4. Dress to Impress< br>Skip the morning hassle and lay your clothes out the night before, even if you have a uniform. Make sure your clothes are wrinkle-free — yes, people will notice. If you have a choice, choose a look that is clean and professional (within the parameters your job, of course).
5. Take Notes, Especially of Complicated Procedures< br>Take a small notepad and pen with you on your first day to write down any specific details you’ll need to remember later. Asking questions later is always ok, but it will show excellent initiative when you make an effort to learn the process the first time around.
6. Don’t be Discouraged by Easy Tasks< br>In a new job, you might be given easier tasks at first until you’ve been there longer. This may be frustrating, especially if you were an expert at your previous job. Don’t worry; you’ll climb your way up as time goes on. For today, focus on excelling in your current task.
7. Don’t be Stressed by Difficult Procedures< br>On the flip side, maybe you are overwhelmed by complicated procedures or systems that you are learning for the first time. If this is the case, ask plenty of questions and don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right the first week. You will get it eventually! It takes time and patience, just keep persevering.
8. Understand your Bosses’s Managerial Style< br>Does he/she prefer to know about every detail or only be told about significant issues? Listen to your manager, and to the advice that others give you as you work through new procedures. Paying attention to your manager’s preferences now will help you in the end, and you’ll be able to communicate much more comfortably.
9. Be Detailed in Your Work< br>Remember this phrase: Never assume. Always ask. If anything, err on the side of being too detailed, asking too many questions, or being too careful your first few weeks on the job. Don’t let the small things slip under the rug. It’s always better to ask again than regret that you made a poor assumption. As time goes on, you will understand the expectations better and will be able to relax more. For now, stay on the side of caution.
10. Don’t be a Loner< br>It’s rough feeling like the “new person” on staff. Make a point of reaching out to the people around you. It will help to break the ice and you will soon make new friends.
Here at Workbox Staffing, new jobs are what get us up in the morning. We love sending people out on their first week and want to see you succeed. Are you getting ready to brave your first week? Leave us a comment about the helpful hints you have for surviving the first week of a new job. Whether you are starting a new job or searching for one, let WorkBox help you find the company that is the perfect match for your skill set. Contact any of our offices today for more information.