How to Make a Great Impression on the First Day at a New Job

Congratulations on your new job! Now, you want to know how to make sure you put your best foot forward on your first day. You’ve likely heard the tired adages: Dress for success, be yourself, smile. All good advice. But let’s get down to brass tacks and look at some practical ways to do just that.

1. Wear comfortable, and dress-appropriate, shoes in case your day involves running all over the facility meeting your coworkers or a walk to lunch with your boss. Many facilities frown upon any open toed shoes, even if you have a position in the business office, so err on the side of caution and wear shoes that will leave no question as to whether they are appropriate or not.
   
   
2. Pack a lunch in case the invite doesn’t come. Some organizations will schedule a team lunch on the first day, but if you are unsure of any plans, pack yourself a lunch.
   
   
3. Bring a water bottle. Staying hydrated is important for sharp thinking and having a water bottle filled with h2o
   
   
4. Be on time. Better yet, be early! Use Google Street View, Waze, or similar apps, to check out your new work location, familiarize yourself with the parking situation and surrounding area, and prepare for your commute. It goes without saying to not be late your first day, but you should plan to be 30 minutes early to allow for unexpected delays.
   
   
5. Keep an open mind about what to expect. Each organization is different so you might spend your entire first day (or week) in one room for orientation or you might jump right into the thick of the job.
   
   
6. Prepare some small talk topics, especially if this doesn’t come to you naturally. You’ll probably meet a lot of new people and you want to come across as comfortable and confident. Topics can include asking about the company culture, any innovative programs within the facility, or even the weather.
   
   
7. Who’s on first? Figure out the technique for remembering names that works for you and use it. Remembering names will build rapport with your peers from the start. Check out this article for suggested memory hacks.

You impressed them enough to land the job, and with these steps, you can make the best impression from the very start. Now, go be a team player and impress the socks off them. You got this!