to ask you for your top tips for starting a new job

[NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace]

So, I loved my job and I loved my organisation but ..... (a) there was much uncertainty on the job security front (which I could probably cope with) and (b) it was looking likely that we'd be working from home for the rest of the year, and probably longer (which I definitely can't cope with).

So, I've quit and found myself another job and I start tomorrow morning at 8am (bloody middle of the night, is that ). Anyway, despite having changed jobs numerous times over the course of my career, I still hate it.

So, if anyone has any top tips for negotiating a successful first day, I would be more than grateful

Thanks in advance.

Smile
Be friendly and interested

8 isn't that early

My mum told me when I was starting my first ever job, be prepared for the little things to go wrong. If it goes wrong when you're a year in it's just something that happened. If it goes wrong on your first day it's the only thing people remember about you!

So wear shoes you can easily walk in, take a toothbrush and a change of top, take lunch with you and some instant coffee sachets etc, take a pen and notebook, repeat people's names to yourself three times, silence your phone, give yourself plenty of time for your commute, take an umbrella etc.

Following as I start a new job in a couple of weeks too (still waiting on bloody dbs check )

Don’t judge it too quickly. It won’t feel like ‘home’ at first but you will settle down and it will feel familiar and comfortable soon. Be polite, listen carefully (I always miss obvious things like where the toilets are because my inner monologue is racing!) and allow yourself lots of rest after. New jobs are always tiring because there’s so much to process.

Congrats! Agree with taking a note pad. I found it handy to write peoples names down with a brief description. Its funny to look back on in a month or 2 at what you write!

Be intersted and ask questions if unsure. Also take note to yourself of the good and bad. In 6mths 12mths or years, you might be showigng a new started around, and its handy to recall the good and bad about your 1st day, so the bad can be avoided for the next person.

Its more down to the company and what their induction process is, but I've had the best and worst of 1st days. One, I was taken out to lunch at a local cafe and got to know a girl I'm still friends with. The other place, I was sat in a dark corner, with no internet access or any clue what to do, not shown the toilets and even not shown around or introduced to anyone! [confused)

8 isn't that early

Ach, I know I'm a morning person and get up at 5am anyway. The problem with an 8am start is that I don't get time to hit the gym before work. They suggested at interview that they were flexible – and also that they would like someone to be there til 5pm – so I'm hoping to shift to a 9am start once I've settled in. I don't care about the finish time much. I like to be at work until around 6.30pm so that I can be sure of avoiding any last bits of afternoon television, which only serves to remind me that I should be:

• thinking about a funeral plan
• definitely getting a Sun Life over 50s plan
• considering a SAGA holiday
• viewing sheltered accommodation
• purchasing Tena Lady (cos I must piss myself every time I sneeze)

Thanks for all your tips. I always find the first couple of weeks really tiring but I usually settle in OK. Fingers crossed

You'll be fine. Just don't forget your Wiltshire Farm Foods ready meal for lunchtime

Ask questions, take notes. Smile and stay engaged throughout the day.

Most importantly, be kind to yourself.

Whenever I have changed roles the first week, I have made sure I have
easy dinners and if I feel stressed made time to have a long bath or go to bed early.

In one role I had a promise that one day a week, I would allow my self to have a treat such as a crossaint from the bakery for breakfast or a takeaway on my most stressful/busy day of the week.

Honestly, I fell in love with my job after ensuring I was looking after myself and I'm much more self aware for it.

Good Luck on your first day x

At least you've clearly got a sense of humour

Make a rule to not get involved in bitching, even if it makes you feel part of the gang. Workplaces can quickly become toxic unless people make an active effort to stop that happening. And do not become over involved with your colleagues. Friends is fine and you may be besties one day, but keep boundaries so you can separate work and home life easily.

You'll be fine. Just don't forget your Wiltshire Farm Foods ready meal for lunchtime

Got it covered: in the fridge and all good to go

Make a rule to not get involved in bitching

Oh, that's a given: I don't do bitching of any sort. I'm an acquired taste but I'm a kindly soul for the most part, find other people fascinating and have no appetite for pulling anyone to pieces (Daniel Radcliffe excepted, perhaps: but I think that's reasonable )

Take notes when you're being shown any systems/processes. No one minds showing a new person how to do the job, but several weeks in if you're still asking the same people the same questions over and over it wears thin.

Expect for some things to be a bit muddled, it's pretty normal for inductions to go wrong in some way or other, logins not available, pass machine not working, person who was supposed to be showing you the job calling in sick etc. More likely right now with all the weirdness of Covid so be patient and don't judge the place too quickly if they cock up a bit.

Congratulations 🥳!
I like your priority with the gym and being an early bird ☺️

Fingers crossed 🤞- just smile and wave! 😂

Thanks everyone, some good advice on here. I've got a notebook, pens and assorted stationery. Lunch is sorted. I've also packed a mug, water bottle and my own cutlery (strange times we're in). And hand sanitiser of course.

It's gonna be well weird getting up tomorrow and leaving the house

If you're anything like me you won't sleep tonight anyway

Have you brought a mask and a spare? That would be an unfortunate one to get caught without right now...

Some nice personalised bits available in Lovers of Luxe sale - ends tonight. Had their personalised phone cases before (black Friday offer not full price!) and very good quality

www.loverofluxe.com/collections/sale

How did it go OP?

make friends with the cleaning staff and canteen staff. Always so useful when things go wrong!

Just thought I'd do a quick update.

It all went really well. The first day was so tiring – so much information buzzing around my head – that I came home and dropped to sleep on the settee

I think that I'm going to love it. It's a steep learning curve though: I've gone from being an accountant in a very large organisation (specialising in a very narrow field) to being an accountant in a much smaller organisation where I do pretty much everything financial.

I think it's going to suit me; keeping my fingers crossed

Sounds great! I much prefer being in a smaller company and getting involved in everything!

Just be yourself... You can't pretend to be someone else forever, it just won't work! Good luck xx