HAVING FIRST DAY on the JOB JITTERS?
Words of wisdom for banishing those fears..

Wish you could regress into ‘time off’? Don’t worry. With a relaxed smile and the suit that makes you shine, you’ll defi nitely appear confi dent to others. As a basic rule, ensure that you cover all hygiene-related matters (which means you need to wear deodorant!) and remember to dress for the position above you and not for the one that you actually have.

If you feel nervous or a little pressured to perform, you must remember to “appear like a swan on the surface, while paddling furiously underneath.

When you arrive at work, be polite and friendly to everyone you encounter, whether it’s the receptionist or the mailroom clerk, your colleagues, or your new boss. You’ll more than likely have to introduce yourself to those you meet, so take some time to practise your introduction, stating your name, new position, and something positive about your new job. Remember to make eye contact and keep your head up! You need to understand the scope of your job and exactly what you’ll be responsible for. If in doubt about anything, don’t be afraid to ask questions. People generally like to help others and it usually makes them feel good about themselves.

Be sure to check out your work area: office, building, bathrooms, elevators, stairs, appropriate spots for coffee and lunch breaks. Also, familiarise yourself with your company’s code of conduct and any rules of behaviour such as dress codes, and company telephone usage. Check if the company that you work for has a booklet outlining its ‘code of conduct’.

Familiarise yourself with any materials that may have been left for you by your supervisor or a former employee. Unless restricted, browse through old fi les on your computer system and hard copy fi les in the fi ling cabinet.

More than likely, your supervisor will be too busy to hold your hand and walk you through every step of the way. As daunting as it seems, this is your opportunity to get your foot in there - try to get your hands on more stuff to do and ask for more responsibilities if you don’t have enough to keep you busy! Chances are that your supervisor and others will be glad to have your help in doing all that extra work.

Chin up!