Photo credit: blackenterprise.com

Remember your first school day? Outfit pressed, nerves shot, confidence slightly (or heavily) wavering…Kind of your first day at a new job, except your paycheck (and ability to pay your mortgage and splurge on vintage shoes) is on the line.

Your first day on the job, any job, is probably up there on the list of most nerve-wrecking days of your life, right up there with your first date and your first real pair of Louboutins. The prospect of meeting new people with whom we may be spending upwards of eight hours a day and sharing our already thin cubicle walls, not to mention making a positive impression on your new boss, is enough to make you dig into an entire quart of salted caramel ice cream. Yes, that bad…

I’ve had a few “first days on the job”, and as much as I’d like to say, one never quite gets used to stepping into a professional world for the very first time. Not to mention it takes me about a month to locate anyone’s cube or office (not to mention the women’s restroom). And even though starting a new job has gone from being called “orientation” to now be all-ceremoniously referred as “on-boarding”, there are still a few crucial actions you need to take to ensure your start (and finish) is a success:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare! Even though there will be a period of acclimation at the new job, your best bet is to hit the ground running. This means being prepared, both mentally, emotionally and spiritually to tackle your role’s responsibilities. Concretely, it also means learning as much as you can about the Company, your managers and colleagues, as well as your role’s expectations. Use resources such as Linked In to research your managers and colleagues’ backgrounds. Peruse your new company’s website to gather as much information as possible, and prepare yourself mentally to start fresh.

2. Chat up your boss! It’s not too early to re-visit your manager’s expectations. Follow up on your interview with questions about the company and department’s style, strategic priorities and challenges. It’s also important to lay down a solid foundation with your manager, and discuss communication styles, as well as performance metrics.

3. Listen, ask, repeat! Now is NOT the time to start criticizing or offering suggestions for change, unless expressly requested from you. Listen and ask as many questions as you can. Each company, department or even group has its own culture, and its own rules, both implicit and explicit. Learn to know who you will be working with, the various personalities you will have to interact with, as well the type of culture you will be evolving in. And remember, no one likes a wise-a….

4. Start working on your relationships! One thing I’ve learnt in the corporate world, is that building alliances builds up your career. It’s not all about who you know, but a large part of your success rests on your relationships at work. Be smart about it, and start building mutually beneficial relationships from day one. Remember, perception matters!

5. Have a plan! It may be too early to draw a definite career plan on day one. However, showing your manager you’re already thinking about the most important action items you’ll have to complete, and setting target objectives and dates, will definitely afford you some serious brownie points. Focus on a  general 30, 60 and 90-day plan, that you can share with your manager as you grow more comfortable in your role.

What advice do you have to start the first day on the job on a good footing?

The Corporate Sis.