Your first day at a new
job is a little like your first day of
school: full of promise, anticipation and
excitement.
But sometimes things can go terribly,
terribly wrong.
Take the unnamed apprentice plumber featured
in a 2007 Mail Online report. While
soldering in a $10 million home as part of
an extensive renovation project, the rookie
accidentally set some polystyrene insulation
on fire with his blowtorch. It wasn’t long
before the home was engulfed in flames. Said
a neighbour: “I heard it was started by a
teenager on his first day. You have to feel
sorry for the poor lad.”
We all want to start off a new job on the
right foot, but human beings are, well, only
human. So the odds of running into at least
a few minor hiccups on your first day are
pretty good.
There may be no one on hand to show you the
ropes. Or, after smiling non-stop during
your interviews, your boss might suddenly
seem to be developing a permafrown. Or
perhaps those amazing benefits you were
promised—but didn’t get the details of—have
turned out to be as competitive as a go-kart
at the Grand Prix.
Take heart; it could be worse. Pity poor Joe
Gallup, a 24-year-old miner. According to
the New York Daily News, he recently left
New York for a new life and a new job out
west. “I packed up everything I owned in my
car and drove out here,” Gallup said from
Montana. “Took me three days. Then I drove
two hours to work, two hours home, with a
10-hour shift between.” As luck would have
it, Joe’s first shift was also his last. His
new employer had decided to lay off 500
workers the same day.
Assuming that, unlike Joe, you get to keep
your job, what are your best strategies for
dealing with a bad start?
First Day on
the Job Survival Strategies
First, and most importantly, don’t panic!
You can get through this. Plus, facing
adversity on your first day gives you a
great opportunity to show them what you’re
made of!
Adjust your attitude. It pays to be flexible
when confronted with surprises, especially
at a new job. Your new workplace won’t be
exactly like your old one, so learn to catch
the curve balls that will inevitably come
your way.
Clarify grey zones. If your boss’s
expectations differ from your own, or if you
simply don’t know what you’re supposed to
do, now’s the time to talk it over. Avoiding
the issue will lead to guaranteed
frustration.
Be resourceful. If you need more training or
assistance, whether with company procedures,
software or anything else, find out who the
go-to people are. Ask them for a crash
course or a little extra coaching. They’ll
likely be flattered and happy to help.
Take the initiative. If you don’t have
enough to keep you busy at first, take
advantage of the situation. Get yourself up
to speed by reviewing your team’s projects
and catching up on the latest developments.
Then, score some brownie points by
requesting an assignment or volunteering to
help out colleagues.
Remember why you’re here. You took this job
for a reason, so think about what motivated
you to apply. Focusing on the positive
aspects will help get you through the
negative ones.
C’est la
Vie!
It’s a good idea to remember that your new
job may not work out. Remain in touch with
recruiters and continue networking. If
things don’t improve in time, it might be
time to make a few calls.
But do give things a chance to turn around
before you make any drastic decisions. First
days on the job have a way of going awry.
Chances are you’ll be laughing about your
problems a year from now!
