First day in new job - what to expect? how to react?

geek84

Good Morning Folks

I will be starting a new job in an accounts office job in the next few days.

I will be given training for 1 or 2 days on their systems by another member of staff who already works there.

Apart from the usual thing of trying to impress the employer and making friends around the department, what else can you advice that I take into consideration?

I don't want to be overly friendly, (staff may become suspicious), and I don't want to be unfriendly either.

Apart from making sure I arrive at work in good time, take breaks/lunch at designated times, are there other things I need to take into consideration? What about the usual 'office politics'?

I know that other staff will probably be watching every move I make - particularly bring the 'new boy'.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

duchy

I think you are over-thinking things.
Presumably this is your first job or you'd know most people are far too busy with their own work to worry too much about a new person. No-one is going to be "watching your every move".

Just try to fit in- be friendly but not over familiar with people just yet and if making a cuppa offer anyone you are working directly with (like your trainer in the first 2 days) one too.

Office politics- just keep out of them til you've got the lay of the land. If anyone tries to tell you X is a rubbish boss, Y is a useless employer etc- just nod vaguely and change the subject.

What do you think people would be suspicious of if you were friendly ?
What do you mean by "impressing the employer" exactly ?

googler

Carry a few pens and a small notebook to take notes in, just in case your trainer doesn't offer them.

Greet everyone you're introduced to with some 'get to know you' chat, and listen to what they say in return. If it's a big department, sketch in your notebook who's at what desk for future reference. If you have trouble remembering names, scribble them down soon after meeting them.

Chat could include icebreakers like 'How long have you been here', 'What's your role in the department/business?' and the like. Show that you're keen to know what goes on without grilling them.

Whatever you do, DO NOT offer any hint of negative opinion on the company or anyone therein. There was a recent docu on BBC, Invasion of the Job Snatchers' - if Episode 1 is still on iPlayer, look at Benny going round on his first day - asking a worker who's been there a week; "What's it like? Is it sh*t?" is NOT the way to go....... look at how the others in the doc greeted their new employers, and learn from the ones that don't make you cringe.

Don't discuss anything personal about any member of staff with another. Even if you're introduced to someone with a lazy eye, a limp, or halitosis that would stun a buffalo at 30 paces, the negative attributes of anyone there should not be mentioned to any other. Confine yourself to business topics only. You shouldn't even be thinking about office politics on your first day.

If you're in doubt about something, ask.

Don't try to 'impress' immediately, unless you're coming in as someone who's been head-hunted for a particular high-powered role. Just take in what's said and demonstrated to you for starters.

There was another thread here recently on selecting suits, ties etc. for working in finance. Depending on the dress code at the office you're going to, this may be worth a look.

Prothet_of_Doom

I do freelance work, so every 6 to 18 months I start a new job.


1) As far as impressing the employer, write down everything, however trival it seems. Check if you are not sure.
2) Take the breaks with the people you work with.
3) I try to avoid talking about my previous experience, because for the first 3 months I know nothing.
4) I never brag, never give out personal details, never discuss money.
5) If I'm not sure I ask.

googler

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

2) Take the breaks with the people you work with.

Generally, yes - but just because everyone else there can go from 8am to 1pm without a 'natural break' or 'comfort break', doesn't mean the OP should have to.

OP, if you need a natural break at any point, and you haven't been advised where the facilities are, you should ask, and excuse yourself. There's no reason to hold it in in silence.

[Deleted User]

Totally depends on the workplace, that feeling OP

Just my tip because I have been caught short before.. is to make sure you take lunch and a drink ideally - because you may not be offered one! honest so pack a mug/cup and or some pain killers (cos lack of fluid means headache time)

9.15 first day I was spoke to like someone who had been there years, the computer system was a lot different.. official guides would not have worked on my current colleagues, 1/2 days training doesn't seem a lot so I feel you have little to worry about, it's places that make a meal of it, is where the psychology issues comes into it

You'll be alright, keep a tidy desk, don't leave on the dot and no swearing at sage lol! I just made that up!!

Congrats : )

d70cw6

geek84 wrote: »

Good Morning Folks

I will be starting a new job in an accounts office job in the next few days.

I will be given training for 1 or 2 days on their systems by another member of staff who already works there.

Apart from the usual thing of trying to impress the employer and making friends around the department, what else can you advice that I take into consideration?

I don't want to be overly friendly, (staff may become suspicious), and I don't want to be unfriendly either.

Apart from making sure I arrive at work in good time, take breaks/lunch at designated times, are there other things I need to take into consideration? What about the usual 'office politics'?

I know that other staff will probably be watching every move I make - particularly bring the 'new boy'.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

This sentence confuses me. Surely you'd want to be as friendly as possible? why would anyone be suspicious? seems a strange position to take.


My advice - just ask questions and be attentive. smile. offer to get a round of drinks in for people in the same room as you.

googler

Deleted%20User wrote: »

Just my tip because I have been caught short before.. is to make sure you take lunch and a drink ideally - because you may not be offered one! honest so pack a mug/cup and or some pain killers (cos lack of fluid means headache time)

... or take a bottle of water, unless you've gathered from the interview process that there's a water cooler or similar in place around the offices ...

Gavin83

d70cw6 wrote: »

This sentence confuses me. Surely you'd want to be as friendly as possible? why would anyone be suspicious? seems a strange position to take.


My advice - just ask questions and be attentive. smile. offer to get a round of drinks in for people in the same room as you.

Depends. I wouldn't want a new starter asking my wife's name, asking for my personal number or asking me if I want to join them at yoga later. There is such a thing as being too friendly. However saying that its important to be interested in people but purely from a work perspective, ie: "what do you do", "how long you been working here"

Every office is unique so I wouldn't worry about office politics, you'll pick it up as you go along. Just be on time, take in everything you can and get stuck in.

geek84

Hi Folks

Thanks for your replies, so far.

googler

googler wrote: »

There was another thread here recently on selecting suits, ties etc. for working in finance. Depending on the dress code at the office you're going to, this may be worth a look.

This one

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4943322