7 things you need to know about starting a new job

Posted on Friday, May 6th, 2016

Algonquin College New Job

It can be tough starting a new gig! That’s why the AC Hub’s Misa Mendes-Kobayashi sat down with Lindsay Bortot, an Employment Officer with the Employment Support Centre, to get the scoop on what you need to know going into the first day of work (and beyond).

1. Is there anything you should do between getting the job offer and starting the job?

Celebrate; take a day to be proud of your newest accomplishment. Once you’ve done that, review all of the information that the employer has provided to you. Prepare any documentation that they are requesting you to bring in, on or before your first day (i.e. signed job offer, banking information, or emergency contact information). If possible, take a minute to look up the names of the people you will be working with to prevent yourself from forgetting them when you’re nervous. Plan your outfit and your transportation; you don’t want to risk being late on the first day because you couldn’t figure out what to wear or how to get there. Lastly, manage your stress by taking some time to relax and get a good restful sleep before the big day.

2. What are three things you should do on the first day of starting a new job?


Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and get to know your team. People are just as curious to meet you as you are to meet them. Once you break the ice, everyone feels more comfortable. Smile, shake hands and ask them about their role in the company. Your friendly interactions and interest in your colleagues will translate into your enthusiasm to be part of a new team and to build trusting work relationships.

Listen, take notes, and keep a running list of all your questions. You’re going to be nervous in those first couple of days and you’ll likely have information overload. Take the time to listen and make notes of important details pertinent to your job throughout your training. This way you can refer to those notes as you go. With everything that you’re learning, you’re going to have a lot of questions. Write all of your questions in a notebook instead of asking every time you think of something. Once you’ve compiled your questions you can bring them to your supervisor. Not only are you avoiding interrupting other staff during the day, but you are showing organization, engagement, and efficiency in managing your time.

Be confident and be yourself. Remember that you are the one they selected; it’s your skills and experience that have got you where you are today. You also made it through the interview successfully, which means they saw something in you and they visualized you as a good fit for their organization. Start thinking about how you can make your mark.

3. If you have a summer job that’s not related to the career industry where you would like to end up, is there anything you can do to help make that job experience count towards your future career?

Sometimes we tend to think that our interim jobs count for little, but really it’s about looking creatively at what transferable skills you can carry from one experience to the next. If you are working in a job that is not related to your career industry, you are still able to draw out a number of soft skills, things like communication, leadership, or problem solving – all of which you can apply to your resume or demonstrate through examples in an interview, regardless of the field you’re targeting. Secondly, this job provides you the opportunity to gain another professional reference. If you leave this employment opportunity having made a great impression, you can use this reference towards your future job search.

4. What should you do if you make a mistake when you’re still establishing your professional reputation?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. We’re all human beings and everyone makes mistakes. The best thing to do would be to acknowledge your mistake and identify the ways in which you are planning to change to ensure that the mistake is not repeated again in the future. Rather than jeopardizing your professional reputation by lying about it, hiding it, or blaming it on someone else, you are actually showing the employer that you are able to take responsibility for your own actions and take the initiative in coming up with a solution to increase your own job effectiveness.

5. How long should you give yourself to adjust? Is it better to tough it out or to quit?

Give the job a fair chance. When you experience a change as big as starting a new job, there is a lot of uncertainty and unknowns. There is no doubt that this can be intimidating but is important to give yourself enough time to adjust rather than making a rash decision to leave your job. While there is no set time, I personally think that three months is a fair amount of time to fully transition into a new role and workplace. Push through the first couple of weeks; once you have a better idea about the people and the job you will feel much more confident. In most cases, it’s better to tough it out (and you’re often more employable when you’re employed). Even if you’re working in a job that doesn’t seem to be working out, there is still an opportunity to gain new skills (and pay the bills!). Remember, there’s nothing stopping you from job searching when you get home to find something that’s a better fit.

6. What should you do if someone on your new team doesn’t respond well to you?

First of all, don’t make assumptions. Don’t assume that you know what’s happening in this situation and don’t start talking about it with your other colleagues in the office. Perhaps the issue isn’t even you. If this behaviour persists and your new team member is in fact not responding well to you, be brave. Approach your colleague in a non-threatening and non-defensive way, treat them with respect and kindness, and try to create an open dialogue about your observations. Remember to listen, validate their concerns, and try to understand where they are coming from. These behaviours will help to build trust between you, and your colleague will be more likely to open up to you and explain what’s really going on.

7. What sorts of professional goals should you set for yourself when you start a new position? If you’re working a temporary or summer job that you don’t plan to be in long term, does this principle still apply?

Whether a career job or an interim job, it’s always a good practice to set professional goals. Setting goals increases your opportunity for growth and success. Your interim job may be your short-term goal, but it could be a stepping stone to achieving a bigger goal in the future. When you start a new job, some examples of professional goals could be about learning the company culture and professional boundaries, passing your probationary period, participating in meetings by offering creative ideas, or suggestions to improve efficiencies. Your goals could be centred on learning or improving a certain skill or engaging in professional development activities when the time is appropriate.

Check out the Employment Support Centre for more career support and information.

The above content was adapted from the AC Hub Newsletter, a monthly publication produced by Student Services.


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