First Day on the Job
You got the job. Well done! Mazel tov or even ben fatto. This is where your journey begins. Previously, we talked about how to get your dream job, from writing the perfect resume to mastering the interview. I hope that the little tips and tricks on this blog helped you along the way. This is where the fun starts, your first day on the job. Get ready to go on a journey, from how to manage and strive on your first day, to creating a personal development plan to stand out from the crowd and elevate your career to new heights.
Your first day! I remember my first day vividly. I especially remember the first day of many of my colleagues who took their careers to unprecedented heights. In this article, we are going to discuss some of my favorite tips and tricks to help you smash your first day at work.
Have a Black Book
I call it a black book, some colleagues of mine call it a bible. Either way, we all have one. My black book is by the side of my desk and consists of all the key information I have been told in my first few days on the job. It includes information that may never seem relevant but that I think is easy enough to remember; either way, I write it down. For example, useful extensions on the phone which connect to IT or facilities, where I can find certain files on the system and notes on how to acctually use the system. We use all the generic basic information, that normally goes in one ear and out the other, every day whilst working. It may seem pointless to write everything down, but having information on how to do your job most efficiently is vital to your longevity. You don’t want to have to ask the same basic question to your colleagues, and you certainly don’t want to be in a situation where you can't complete a deadline because you were stuck on a simple task and there was no one around to help. I can’t stress this enough. Always make notes!
Have an Elevator Pitch Ready
An elevator pitch is a brief speech that outlines an idea for a product, service, or project and can be described in the same amount of time as an elevator ride. You should always have a few lines in your head where you are always ready to sell yourself. I call it the elevator pitch because let’s say you’re in a lift and just before the doors close, the CEO or a senior partner jumps in the lift and a conversation sparks. You have 60 seconds to make a memory, to make the same journey they make every day stand out. In my elevator pitch, I like to start by introducing myself by my name and what department I work in. I then go on to say my main responsibilities in my job. Following this, I describe any skills or experience I have that shows how I add value to the business. This is an opportunity to stand out. You may not have all these points on your first day, but make sure you have something.
Prepare Like you are Going to War
You are joining the big leagues now. No college, high school or university experience will be the same as this. Learn about the company, learn about the work culture. Make sure you know what that business does inside and out. Go on LinkedIn, find the important people who you want to try and get in a lift with... if you get where I’m going. Find the values and ethics, then make sure you live and breathe them.
I also recommend getting a good night's sleep, make sure you sleep well from the week leading up to your first day. Eat right and drink right, you are entering the big world now. No more sleeping in until 12 and being lazy. You want to hit it hard.
That’s my 3 best tips for your first day. I look forward to welcoming you back in the coming weeks. To help you build the best morning routines to help you start the day off in the best way and dive into how you can develop your career and climb the corporate ladder. Your journey started today, if you do this right, it will never end.
The anonymous CEO