Making an Impression Your First Day on the Job

Interviews can be intimidating, but your first day on the job can sometimes seem even more daunting. You don’t know any of your co-workers and haven’t found out the details of your day-to-day responsibilities.

But it’s vital to work through the nerves. Making a good first impression (to both your co-workers and your manager) is very important. Dollar Shave Club held a study of 2,000 people and observed that, upon meeting a person, 69% formed a first impression before the individual even spoke.

In addition, hiring and training a new employee is expensive. Glassdoor discovered the average company spends approximately $4,000 to hire a new worker, while The 2017 Training Industry Report found that about $1,886 was spent to train each employee. You want to show your manager that they made the right choice. Here’s how.

Prepare Introductions

Since it’s your first day on the job, nobody is going to know who you are. You’re going to be answering the same questions over and over, so take some time beforehand to prepare a short introduction. A bit about your work background, your new position and manager, minor things like that. That way you’ll be less likely to get nervous when the questions start coming.

Don’t Be Shy

Even if you spend most of your first day taking training courses at your computer, find reasons to walk around and eat lunch in the breakroom. You want to meet your new co-workers and show them who you are, and that isn’t going to happen if you spend all day behind your desk.

Remember Names

People like to hear their names, and it’s especially impressive when someone remembers their name after meeting them for five minutes on their first day. If you can find a way to memorize your colleagues’ names, you’ll be memorable. If there’s an employee directory, do a quick review. You can also say your co-workers’ names again after they introduce themselves, or come up with a fun way of remembering their name (Gary has gray hair, Marissa from Marketing, etc.).

Try Not to Stress

When it comes down to it, everyone knows that it’s your first day. If you make small mistakes, or forget someone’s name, know that they probably won’t take it personally. You’re new and here to learn, and your co-workers understand that.

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