How to Prepare for Your First Day at a New Workplace
Credit: Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash.
Starting a new job is an exciting venture but it can also be nerve-wracking. With remote working being the ‘new normal’ for many people, it can be difficult to imagine how your first day will unfold. This is why it’s important to take a moment to think through what it is you want to achieve during your first day at a new workplace.
Think of any questions or queries that will need addressing in your new job. Reflect on what you will need to know and do some research into anything you may not understand and keep your questions at the ready. If you find this process difficult, HUSTLE + hush is at hand to help you out. Our deck of 50 self-coaching cards (available to order here) are a great tool to help guide you through your first 100 days at a new job.
Before you begin your first day, take a moment to flip through the deck, pulling out any coaching cards that speak to you, and reflect on the questions they present. Keep these questions in mind as you go through your daily tasks and reflect on what it is you learn throughout your day and what you would like to build upon going forward in your new job.
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How to Establish Yourself in the Workplace
The Covid-19 pandemic has inspired a rise in remote working. While this comes with a number of benefits such as improved productivity and more creativity, it also comes with some significant challenges. Namely, how do you establish yourself and your place within a business while working from home?
How to Introduce Yourself on LinkedIn
You should always be proactive in getting acclimated to a new role but when you won’t work side-by-side with your new colleagues for the foreseeable future, it is necessary to take a more active approach toward forming connections. LinkedIn is a useful tool for this. Adding your colleagues on business socials is a great way to introduce yourself and gain some background on those you’ll be working alongside. This can give you an idea of what projects they are currently working on and what issues they find important, giving you the opportunity to form a connection.
Writing a LinkedIn post updating your connections on any career changes or recent accomplishments is another great way to get conversation flowing. LinkedIn allows you to make personal introductions via its platform. This gives you the chance to reach out to those you’ll be working alongside and form a good first impression, it also gives you the opportunity to learn a little more about the company’s internal culture. In doing so, you can begin networking and start building up a rapport with those you’ll be interacting with on a regular basis.
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How to write an introductory email to new colleagues
Include a Relevant Subject Heading
It is likely that your colleagues will receive numerous emails per day, some of which will be quickly overlooked, so it is important to include a catchy subject heading when writing your introductory email. This will ensure that your email is opened and read, encouraging further interaction.
Don’t be Generic
While it is easy to send a mass email, you run the risk of being ignored and you lose that personal touch. Taking the time to email specific individuals, you can better connect with those you most wish to engage with. This approach is a great way to spark further conversation as it encourages a response.
Be Clear About Why You Are Writing
Show that you value your co-worker’s time by keeping your email short and to the point - two or three paragraphs at most. This guarantees that you will keep your co-worker’s attention and allows you to make a good first impression.
Keep It Short and Sweet
While keeping it short is important, it’s also vital to watch your tone. In an introductory email you want to come off as polite and respectful, opening yourself up to further interaction. To do so, it is best to avoid making demands. Instead, if there’s something you need, try framing it as a suggestion.
How to Reflect On Your First Day
As you reach the end of your first day, it is important to give yourself the time and space to reflect on what you have experienced. Think about what you have accomplished and how this will help you as you move forward in the role.
You can also return to the deck of coaching cards and spend a moment with a few of the cards, reflecting on your first day and what it is you’ve learnt and where you’re hungry to learn more tomorrow. If you’d like to be the first to purchase the cards when they go on-sale, join the waitlist by filling in the form below.
Take a moment to then congratulate yourself for getting through your first day. As you consider the transition, remember change can feel overwhelming. But by believing in your abilities and focussing on your strengths, you will find change easier to conquer.
Set yourself up for new job success..
Arm yourself with a tool kit designed to empower and support you through the highs and lows of your new position with our pack of coaching cards here.
Written by Lauren Grimes.