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

mountainofdebt

Not necessarily for the first day but........

even if the job is not as described please don't b!tch about it (at least not to your work colleagues)

Don't moan about your love life / family circumstances

Don't use your mobile phone or the internet even if others do and don't b!tch about others doing it.

Not saying you would do this but I recently observed a masterclass in how not to start a new job!

WantToBeSE

Don't b!*ch about your boss or manager.


I recently had the delight of training a member of staff who spent the whole 3 hours doing exactly that, as well as telling me how SHE would do things if she were the boss.


Of course my Boss asked for honest feedback and I gave it.

mountainofdebt

Oh and even if the person showing you the ropes is a complete idiot don't let on.

Stick to the way they show you, for at least the first couple of weeks, even if you can see a more productive way of doing it. After a couple of weeks you can suggest it by asking if there isn't a reason why it can't be done in your, more productive way lol

Also if one of your tasks turns out to be a pita - don't moan about it!

geek84

Once again, many thanks for your advice.

googler

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Don't b!*ch about your boss or manager.

Don't b**tch about anyone. Not the boss, the manager, the one two desks down with B.O., the one with the loud personal stereo, the who picks their nose.

Nothing negative about anyone, especially not in the first few days....

redpete

googler wrote: »

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.

I don't think anyone was suggesting synchronized toilet breaks.

Savvy_Sue

A few weeks into one job with a large employer, I was sent on Induction Training for a day.

When I walked into the office the day after, someone said to me "Oh, you'll be wanting to know where the fire exit is now, won't you?" *

So, on your first day you should be shown where the fire exits and alarms are, where to hang your coat (because it's a potential hazard on the back of your chair or over the fire door), where the loos are, and where you can get a drink (drinking water must be provided, anything else is a bonus).

Obviously you're unlikely to want to ask "and where are the fire exits?" in the first five minutes, but hopefully you'll get a tour of the building, so you could say "Oh, is this the fire exit then?" as you walk past it.

* As it happens, you'd never have found your way out on your own if you didn't KNOW you were going down some very narrow stairs behind the stage of a well known London theatre and then down an alleyway!

Savvy_Sue

And this is another vote for "If you don't know, ask", and do think about what's said to you / given to you.

For example, we give out a folder with lots of information in it, including an example leave booking sheet. We also give people an individual leave booking sheet, which will be tailored to their personal leave entitlement - if you start part way through the year it will be pro rata to the full year, for example, or if you're part-time.

For some reason, a couple of people recently have taken the example, and started using it to book leave, instead of using their individual form. We've spotted it quickly, which is just as well, because thinking you've got 33 days leave when you've only got 20 will end in tears!

noelphobic

Deleted%20User wrote: »

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 : )

I would advise that you DO leave on the dot, otherwise you're setting a precedent and it will be assumed that you will stay late on a regular basis, even if you're not getting paid or getting TOIL. That's without being a complete jobsworth of course. If you're in the middle of doing a task and it means staying 5 minutes occasionally then that's fine. Likewise if you were asked to stay a bit late occasionally. Just don't make it the norm.

noelphobic

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

A few weeks into one job with a large employer, I was sent on Induction Training for a day.

When I walked into the office the day after, someone said to me "Oh, you'll be wanting to know where the fire exit is now, won't you?" *

So, on your first day you should be shown where the fire exits and alarms are, where to hang your coat (because it's a potential hazard on the back of your chair or over the fire door), where the loos are, and where you can get a drink (drinking water must be provided, anything else is a bonus).

Obviously you're unlikely to want to ask "and where are the fire exits?" in the first five minutes, but hopefully you'll get a tour of the building, so you could say "Oh, is this the fire exit then?" as you walk past it.

* As it happens, you'd never have found your way out on your own if you didn't KNOW you were going down some very narrow stairs behind the stage of a well known London theatre and then down an alleyway!

Genuinely not being sarcastic or facetious here, just a little puzzled. Wouldn't you know where the fire exits are by the green signs?

Obviously you should be shown this as part of your induction though. Although i don't think I was in my new (voluntary) job last week.

I didn't have the easiest start in some ways. I'm only going to be working there 1 day a week and hopefully won't be office bound for most of the time. As it was my first day though I spent the whole day on mandatory e learning and the desk I was on faced the wall so didn't get the chance of much interaction.

It did strengthen my resolve to never go back into an office job again though!