Starting a New Job? Here are 6 Tips for First Day in Office

Everyone knows what it feels like to be the “new colleague”. It’s overwhelming and a little exciting at the same time. When you join a new organisation, you take on new roles, become part of a new team, work under a new boss, and do all of that whilst going to an office whose culture you know nothing about!

While it may take you a while to get used to the new place, there are certain things you can do to tip the scales in your favour. These six things will help you slide right into the new place like a boss.

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1. Ask Questions, even the Silly Ones

It’s best to get all your doubts and concerns out of the way right at the start. Asking questions will help you understand what the company expects of you and how you can go about doing that. Don’t hesitate to ask simple queries like what time does everyone grab lunch, where you can place your laptop before you leave for the day, or any other questions that come to your mind. It’s better to be the person who asks a lot of questions than the one who’s caught fumbling about.

2. Observe Others

Just like each individual, each company is also different. What was cool in your previous company may not be acceptable here. This can include everything from directly addressing a senior person, to using the internet for personal reasons. Ask around, or observe how the others behave to understand the dos and don’ts of your new organisation. The sooner you start adopting the company’s culture, the more you will find yourself feeling at home around the organisation.

3. Plan Your Schedule

You’ll find it easier to adapt to your new office if you have a routine in place. Decide on a time to get to the office and home, so you can clock in and out at the same time every day, and plan your daily tasks accordingly. List your basic responsibilities and long-term tasks, so you know what you will be doing every day. Once you have a routine, it gets easier to settle in.

4. Make Contact with your Seniors

Every job is a new opportunity to learn; even if your role is the same, you can discover new ways to do things. Initially, ask someone senior – your manager or superior – to guide you through the company’s way of doing things, so you can incorporate these new methods into your work. Your seniors will be happy to see you taking an initiative at work, which will work well for you as the “new person”.

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5. Make an Effort to Bond with your Coworkers

Not everyone is a people person, but you won’t be joining the company as a lone warrior. You will have to interact with your coworkers from time to time. So, get to know them, you can start by learning their names and, of course, bond over food! Food is a great ice breaker; have lunch together, or take breaks together. Remember, they are the ones who will have your back when work gets tough. You’re also going to spend at least eight hours of your day with them, so you might as well spend those eight hours with people you know. Talk to them about regular things, like TV shows or books; this way, you can build a relationship with them that’s not just all work, work, work.

6. Research about the Company

Even though you will learn a lot on the job, try to actively learn as much about your new organisation as you can. Read up on the organisation’s history, their processes, achievements etc. The more you learn about your company, the more you will feel like you belong. You should also read up on the HR policies.

While these moves will help you transition into your new workplace, understand that just like you need time to adjust, your colleagues, too, will need some time before they start seeing you as part of the clan. Just be yourself and let things fall in place. But sometimes, even though you’re part of a great work environment and colleagues, your interests don’t align with the new job, thus leaving you unhappy. If this is the case, it’s not too late to reconsider. Your job should make you happy; and if you need help finding a job that does, get in touch with us.

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