You’ve just landed your dream job…now it’s time to go in and impress!

The first few days can be crucial within your workplace and sets the tone for the rest of your time with a new company. It’s even been shown that first impressions stick for life, years after they’ve first been made (Gawronski, 2011). Daunting, right?

I for one was immensely excited yet nervous when I first joined the Block Recruit team; all I wanted to do was fit in and show that I was the right person to join them. It couldn’t have gone too badly… after all I’m still here! In order to do so, I applied some key methods to ensure that those vital first few days went smoothly. With that being said, here’s my top 5 tips for making a good impression in your new job.

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Do Your Research

Knowing the company you’ll be working with inside out before you join is a great first step in making a great impression. Stepping in with fundamental knowledge of the company and the people you’ll work with can help in multiple ways!

Before you start, spend time going through all of the company’s website/social media pages and take note of their unique selling point, what their values are and important milestones that have happened in the past. Being able to relay this information in your first few days will prove that you’ve come prepared and will certainly impress. Send them an email, asking if there is anything they would like you to read through or prepare before you start. The more you know about the company, the better!

Another aspect of this will be researching your new colleagues before you begin. Now, I’m not telling you to go ahead and start stalking all your co-workers… knowing everything about them may come across as a little creepy! But by researching who you’ll be working with, you’ll be able to grasp a better understanding of the company culture and working environment. It’ll also give you a chance to find common ground and talking points with your team; affording you to build a strong rapport from the get-go.

Know Your Role

Following on from extensive research of your new company and colleagues, it’s extremely important to really get to know what your duties will be, what’s expected of you and most importantly – how you can exceed these expectations and really impress!

Print out a copy of your job description and study it. Think back to the interview stage - what was discussed and what promises did you make? Now outline how you’ll be able to execute each point and plan out what further steps you’ll be able to take to overdeliver.

By the time you start your new position, you will know exactly what’s expected and have a plan of action for success!

Dress To Impress

As the old saying goes… don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want.

When people think of first impressions, they’ll always think of appearance. Whilst I’m not suggesting you wear a tuxedo or ball gown to work every day, having a professional appearance does genuinely create a lasting impression. Taking pride in your appearance shows you also take pride in your work and are serious about thriving in your new role. Trust me, it won’t go unnoticed! And don't forget to SMILE : )

Stay Hungry

When moving into your new position, showing your passion and desire to succeed is vital! As well as having a profound effect on people’s first impressions of you, it sets the tone for your future with the company.

What’s the best ways to show your grit and determination?

• Approach everyday with a mindset for success – motivational videos and self-help books do wonders for this
• Don’t be afraid to make suggestions and put forward your ideas
• Stay inquisitive, but read the room – identify when it’s a good time to learn from a colleague and when they may have their hands full
• Be receptive to help and guidance – No one is perfect and showing you’re able to adapt and learn goes a long way
• Always remain cheerful and enthusiastic – a happy workplace is a healthy workplace

Be Yourself

Whilst there is a lot of preparation you can do and actions to take to ensure you make a great impression, ultimately, you should be yourself! You’ve worked hard and been offered the position, so they must like you!

Be confident in your abilities and take the time to introduce yourself to everyone. Although it can be nerve-racking during your first few days, being yourself will help you build relationships and feel comfortable a lot quicker.

References: Gawronski, B. (2011). Binding of First Impressions. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.