Whether you’re a graduate, manager or CEO, your first day on the job can have a huge bearing on how you are perceived by other staff from then on. No doubt you want to make the right impression quickly - this seven step strategy will help you do just that. To read more blogs like this, visit www.haysplc.com/viewpoint Images: Thinkstock

1. Whether you’re a graduate,
manager or CEO, your first day on
the job can have a huge bearing on
how you are perceived by other
staff from then on.
No doubt you want to make the
right impression quickly - this seven
step strategy will help you do just
that.
HOW TO MAKE A GREAT
IMPRESSION ON YOUR
FIRST DAY AT WORK
haysplc.com/viewpoint

2. If you’re early, you’re on time. If
you’re on time, you’re late. Show
your eagerness to start on the job
by turning up around half an hour to
fifteen minutes early.
Making sure you’re wearing the
correct attire is also of paramount
importance. You should have
already clarified with your manager
what the dress code is, but if you
didn’t then see if you can find out
from the company website.
1. Be early and suitably
dressed

3. Greet everyone by name and use
their names when conversing to
help embed this information – by
mentioning their name throughout
the conversation you’re also helping
to build rapport.
Once you’ve met everyone, map
out a seating plan and plot their
names in the respective positions.
Also make a note of other
employees who you will have
regular contact with.
2. Remember names

4. Part of your manager’s job is to
support you with problems or
queries – therefore, they will be
most receptive to your needs during
your first few days.
Use this opportunity to ask broad
questions about the business which
you might feel silly asking later on.
3. Ask questions

5. In the early stages you should be
listening and learning a lot more
than you are talking. Carry a
notebook and pen around with you
at all times, ready for whatever
nuggets of information your
colleagues might impart.
There will be a lot of important
information to learn on your first
day, and throughout your on-
boarding period, so make sure
you’re all ears at all times.
4. Listen

6. Even though it’s only your first day
you should already be thinking
about how everything you’re
learning now builds into the bigger
picture, including various
colleagues and your relationships
with them.
Keep your job description handy so
you can make a mental note of the
essential responsibilities and who
you’ll be coordinating those with.
5. Big-picture thinking

7. Call your recruiter and let them
know how your first day went. Talk
through the people you met, the
projects you’ve been assigned to
and how you found your day.
It’s important to share any
questions you may have at this
early stage, when your consultant is
best placed to find out information
on your behalf.
6. Call your recruiter

8. If, after your first day, you feel that
you may have made a mistake or
that you just won’t get with your
new colleagues then don’t panic.
It often takes time to settle into a
new organisation and many people
have initial reservations, which they
then quickly overcome. New job
jitters are totally natural, as change
is often uncomfortable.
7. Give it a chance

9. Good luck!
You only get one shot at a first
impression so make sure yours has
positive and lasting effects by
adhering to the seven tips provided
in this SlideShare.
If you found this advice useful, you
may also enjoy these Viewpoint
blogs:
• 6 steps to dealing with multiple
job offers
• How to improve your work-life
balance
• 5 people skills you need to
succeed

10. ABOUT HAYS
Hays is a leading global
professional recruiting group, the
expert at recruiting qualified,
professional and skilled people
worldwide.
With over 9,420 staff operating from
248 offices in 33 countries across
20 specialism's, last year we placed
around 63,000 candidates into
permanent jobs, and around
200,000 people into temporary
assignments.
haysplc.com