5 Things to Do on Your First Day at a New Job

Congratulations, you got the job! Perhaps you’re filled with nervous excitement as you plan for your first day and imagine what it’ll be like in your new position. Perhaps your new employer has a formal new employee orientation or maybe you’ll just be thrown into it.

Regardless, there are some things you can do on your first day to set the tone for your new work experience and to ensure that you get off on the right foot.

In addition to planning what to wear on that first day, consider how you might fit the following into your first day plans.  

Get organized. There is no better time to figure out the best system of organization for your work style. By day two you might already find things to be a chaotic mess and struggle to catch up. Talk with your supervisor and co-workers about the methods they use to keep things organized and under control and begin to implement your own system immediately.

Eat lunch with others. Sure, you might need some time alone to catch your breath and refocus your energies but do that over a short break. Do not eat lunch by yourself. If no one invites you to join them, take the initiative and extend the invitation to your colleagues. You’ll feel more comfortable on the job the quicker you get to know the people you work closely with every day.

Familiarize yourself with the layout of the building. Take a few minutes to get the lay of the land. Some companies will take new employees on a tour of the workspace and even if you get this tour, take some time to wander around on your own. You’ll become more easily oriented when you look around at your own pace and stop to situate yourself. Even if you work in a small office you’ll want to know where the kitchenette and rest rooms are located. 

Meet the person in charge of technology. Regardless of our work, we usually end up needing to use some form of technology to get the job done. And our tech eventually breaks down or malfunctions. On your first day take some time to seek out the person you’ll need to contact in this situation. Understand the best way to contact him or her and how you submit a request for help.

Be friendly and curious. This should be obvious but might be difficult if you’re overcome with anxiety. Make an effort to smile, be friendly with those you meet, and be curious about the work. Everyone you come in contact with does something of value to your new company and your job will be more enjoyable if you understand what it is that they do and how it relates to your new position.

Enjoy that new job and congrats!

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 10 Ways to Get Back Your Work-Life Balance

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 10 Ways to Get Back Your Work-Life Balance: "Have lunch with a co-worker you don’t know very well. Get to know more than his or her name. Commit to doing this once a month."
• 8 Ways to Measure Job Search Success: "You want to make the extra effort and do everything possible to make live contact with the hiring manager, not human resources. The hiring manager has the power to hire you, so you want your qualifications and interest to come across."
• 10 Ways to Cultivate Credibility: "To be credible never shift responsibility for mistakes onto others. Live from an internal locus of control and trust you have the power to shape your life through your own decisions and actions."
• When It's A Better Career Move To Turn Down A Big Assignment From Your Boss: "If a stretch assignment isn’t going to push you out of your comfort zone and spark some passion, it’s probably worth passing."
• What to Expect from Job Interviews and How to Prepare: "The interviewer usually wants to get a sense of how you will fit into the company, but may also ask questions to confirm that the phone screener did their job in assessing your skills and qualifications."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 5 Essentials for Thriving in Business and Life

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• 5 Non-negotiables for Thriving in Business and Life: "All great leaders and visionaries have realized that being fearless is part of the recipe for success."


• The Two Types of People in the Work World: "There are only two types of people in the world. People who do what they say they’re going to do when they say they’re going to do it, and people who don’t do what they say they’re going to do when they say they’re going to do it."


• 5 Ways to Make Your Workplace More Efficient: "Unless it's a necessary client meeting or important brainstorm session, nine times out of 10, meetings don't accomplish what they were meant to achieve."


• The Right and Wrong Way to Network: "While we build networks by forming authentic relationships; we nurture them by providing value to others."


• 3 Tips to Make Your Lunch Break Revitalizing: "While building my business, I thought I had to be chained to my desk during lunch. I feared a disaster would occur and it’d serve me right for not being there."

5 Ways to Be More Social at Work (and, yes, you should be)

For some people it can be difficult to be social at work. You just want to go in, get your work done, and get home to your life outside of work.

However, being social at your place of employment can provide important benefits to your current job, such as opportunities for advancement or taking on a new project. It can also benefit you in the future when former coworkers have moved on to new jobs and you are unemployed and looking for
work.

With all that in mind, here are 5 ways to be more social at work:

1. Don't eat lunch alone. Be sure to go to the company cafe (if one exists) or join groups of colleagues heading out for lunch or a quick coffee. A great resource is Keith Ferrazzi's book Never Eat Alone.

2. Join your companies social media network. Many companies now offer social media sites enabling colleagues to communicate more effectively. Even if your company does not have a platform like this it's likely they are on Facebook or Twitter. You can join the conversation online and stay engaged with colleagues outside of work hours.

3. Join a committee. If your place of employment uses volunteer committees to get things done, such as organizing recycling or planning the holiday party (see below) consider joining one and getting to know colleagues you might not otherwise interact with on a regular basis.

4. Attend company events, holiday party, retirement party, etc. In December be sure to attend the holiday party and go to the company picnic in the summer. You'll often find higher level managers or executives feeling more relaxed and getting to know team members they haven't engaged yet. Use this as an opportunity to get to know others in your company.

5. Be proactive. Don't wait for others. Invite colleagues to grab a coffee or go to a concert on the weekend. It is through frequent and regular interactions with your coworkers that you will develop healthy and beneficial working relationships and, yes, even friendships.

You do need others to succeed in your career and in life. Take some of the steps noted above to develop effective relationships with those you work with.

Make the Most of Your Lunch Hour

Your lunch hour is designed not only to refuel your body, but refuel your mind. Having a half an hour to an hour break from deadlines, work projects, and even co-workers is a great way to help you relax and recharge for the rest of the day. Here are some tips on making the most of your lunch break at work:

1. If the weather is nice, enjoy it! Bring some sneakers to work and go for a walk to clear your head or simply eat lunch outside. The Vitamin D from the sun will give you a boost to power through the afternoon, no matter what kind of day you're having.

2. Check your mood. If you're feeling overwhelmed and grouchy, step outside or go for a drive. Don't force yourself to eat cheerfully in the kitchen with your co-workers if you fear you might snap. If you're feeling social, by all means grab some co-workers to eat with you.

3. Also if you're feeling social or need a boost, meet with a friend! If you have a friend that works close by, make a date for lunch.

4. Take a drive and get to know the neighborhood. This is especially helpful for post grads who are just starting a job in a new area. Scope out the best places for after work drinks or places for a fun lunchtime break.

5. If you're feeling overwhelmed with work and just can't relax, dive back in! Eat lunch at your desk and catch up on your responsibilities. You just may feel better at the end of the day when your work is all done.

6. If you have the time and live close enough, go home to recharge. Being home for even a half an hour can relax you and give you the boost to finish the day. This also allows you to save money by eating at home if you didn't have time to pack a lunch.

What are your tips for making the most out of your lunch break?