Nerves can scramble our logic and make it incredibly easy to overlook common sense, such as bringing cash instead of just card with you to the office. ChairOffice's 'First Day Flowchart' will help you set yourself straight ahead of your fabulous debut at the office:
If you follow this as a general guideline your first few days should go relatively smoothly. I'd also recommend you have a look at this list for further more in depth explanation (like the importance of befriending the office coffee machine)
Mouth shut, ears open
During our initial weeks in a new workplace it's all about treading the line between being enthusiastic...and being annoying. It's natural to want to be liked - to impress people and to fit in quickly. Michelle Kerrigan, a workplace-confidence expert, advises you to keep a tab on your babbling: "It's natural to want to be liked — to impress and fit in quickly. However, many try too hard, and talk too much when they should be listening."
During our initial weeks in a new workplace it's all about treading the line between being enthusiastic...and being annoying. It's natural to want to be liked - to impress people and to fit in quickly. Michelle Kerrigan, a workplace-confidence expert, advises you to keep a tab on your babbling: "It's natural to want to be liked — to impress and fit in quickly. However, many try too hard, and talk too much when they should be listening."
Err on the side of caution
What you say during your first day on the job doesn't just impact what your colleagues think about you — it could also cause you to lose your job. "If you say something that's off, it sets the tone, and that could be the reason for you to be let go in your first three months," advises J.T. O'Donnell, a career, workplace expert and author of "Careerealism: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career."
17 Things You Definitely Shouldn't Say On Your First Day(s)
1. 'In my last job ...'
No one likes a know-it-all. Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, etiquette and civility expert and author of "Don't Burp in the Boardroom, suggests walking into the new job with energy, but with some humility. Not the timid, reserved definition, but with an attitude of learning.
2. 'OMG, I LOVE that!'
You're already hired — there's no need to try too hard to get people to like you.
While it's nice to know that people think you're personable or that you really "get" the company, Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," says this is a waste of energy — you'll impress naturally by just being yourself. It sounds like a Hallmark card but seriously, just be yourself.
3. 'When do I get a raise?'
"How about getting through the ninety-day probationary period first?" Randall suggests.
4. 'Oh, I have to leave early on Fridays.'
"If you hadn't talked about that prior to joining, landing in the new job and suddenly dropping these kinds of bombs on them really shows a lack of communication and respect on your part," O'Donnell says. "They're expecting you to just come in and be there and be present, be eager, be ready and willing to learn." Either agree on it all during the interview, or forget pulling these requirements out of the bag two days in.
5. 'Hang on ... I'm just finishing up this HR paperwork.'
On your first day, you'll likely be pulled in a thousand directions, Taylor says. But it's important you make yourself accessible to your new boss first and foremost, despite all the administrative distractions.
"This is an important first impression you don't want to discount," she says. "Companies are not always as organized as they'd like when onboarding staff. You can easily get caught up with an HR professional, various managers, or coworkers — or with a special assignment that keeps you from being available to the person who matters most."
Prioritize your boss first and foremost. Remember, they're going to be looking to get you settled into things as quickly as they can so don't have them waiting on you to finish an email before following them down the corridor.
6. 'Who should I meet and who should I avoid around here?'
A question like this is basically asking coworkers to gossip — that's a career killer, Randall says. And one person's issue with another coworker is their business only and could have developed over matters you have no idea about.
"Take time to meet and engage in small talk with each person in your department," Randall suggests. "Judge for yourself." Avoid inhouse politics at all costs, it's a surefire way of damaging your relationships with colleagues before they've even begun. Save your thirst for drama for your personal life and the 'Great British Bake Off'.
7. 'That's not how I learned how to do it.'
Your new boss isn't concerned with how your previous workplace did things, they're concerned with whether you can do it how their workplace does it. Keep the conversation positive, O'Donnell advises. Employers don't want to hear what you can't do —they want to hear that you are open-minded and ready to learn to do it their way.
8. 'What's the holiday party like? Do we get bonuses or a ham or something?'
Woah there tiger. In your opening few weeks at a new workplace your concern should be on learning the ropes, not cashing in on perks of the job. If there are any fun aspects to the office life rest assured your coworkers will inform you in time.
9. 'What d'ya have to do around here to get an upgrade on this [insert company provided tool]?'
If your tools for the job aren't the newest or shiniest, chances are your coworkers' aren't either. Loudly asking for an upgrade will undoubtedly alienate some people who will question if you think you deserve it more. "Learn to deal with what you are given. If the company is technology deficient, has older desks, chairs, or office décor, don't allow or use it to determine how you get the job done," Randall says.
10. 'That makes no sense.'
You may come across a way of doing things in your new company that you don't understand or agree with yet, but framing it this way makes you seem like a whiney drag or even worse just plain inept. "Get some feedback before you make this automatic assumption," O'Donnell suggests. Instead of saying the policy doesn't make sense to you, ask why the company does it this way, the history behind it, and try to understand the policy from the organization's point of view.
11. 'My prior boss was clueless.'
Maybe your previous boss was an idiot but negative complaints and comparisons are rarely welcomed according to Kerrigan. and these kinds of statements can be harmful to your professional brand and how you're perceived. You're the one that’s coming off as clueless, and respectful.
"Your brand is your trademark, and it's built by consistency — good and bad," she says. "Once established as bad, it's hard to change perception. You need to build and maintain a positive brand to be memorable for the good."
12. 'I'm so tired.'
It's important to project high energy, Taylor says, especially in your early days on the job when your attitude and work ethic are most visible and under the microscope. Get a coffee into you and grit your teeth though a smile.
13. 'No, thanks. I brought my lunch today.'
As previously mentioned in the 'Good ideas' section, always say yes to socialising opportunities around food. Turning down an opportunity to get lunch and bond with new coworkers or a boss seems standoffish, even if you did pack your lunch that day.
14. 'I'd like to invite you all to my church this Sunday.'
Unless it has something to do with your job, you might consider bringing the "never discuss politics or religion at the dinner table" rule to your desk as well. "These discussion aren't generally well received in a work environment," Randall says. "You may find coworkers shying away from you as Fridays approach." Religion is incredibly personal, best to leave yours at the office door.
15. 'In my opinion ...'
As a general rule of thumb, make "Ask, don't tell," your personal mantra for awhile, O'Donnell suggests. Unless asked, it's better to keep your opinion to yourself and see what your employers have to say about things first.
16. 'What is the employee discount like?!'
Defer these kinds of questions to the policies and procedures manual, Randall says.
"Inquiring and asking for perks is so 'me, me me' — an unfavourable trait."
17. 'Hey, working hard or hardly working?!'
No. Getting to that comfortable level where joking around is acceptable takes time. Even if you may see the other coworkers teasing each other and think it's fine to join in — don't.
"They earned that level of casualness with each other … you are not there yet," O'Donnell says.
Such an amazing stuff. I must say very very interesting topic chosen, especially the sub titles are very creative. Thanks for sharing.
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