What could be more harrowing than your first job? The impossible expectations, the stress, the jitters! The importance placed on being productive, the desire to please an employer, the mystery of the unknown rolled into one ball of wax—your first job!
We place a great deal of importance on being productive in our culture. You most likely were encouraged, even from a young age, to earn some money for the things you wanted or needed to buy. Sometimes this drive to teach young people to be useful reaped great rewards, sometimes it even resulted in training toward a job which could be a steppingstone for later life or a real job, even a career. It could give a young person a glimpse into productive adulthood. At least that is the hope of most parents who encourage their child to ‘get a job’.
Your first day at a new job is a lot like the first day of school — except this time, instead of gym classes and pop quizzes, there’s a paycheck waiting for you at the end of the week.
There are some time-tested rules for a new job. It may seem that I am overstating the case, but you would be surprised by some of the bizarre things people do when they are starting a new job!
Don’t show up late or too early.
While you might have already come to the conclusion that showing up late is a definite ‘no-no’, showing up earlier than expected isn’t welcomed either. When you show up early, you might catch your employers by surprise, cutting into their prep time or catching them disorganized or stressed. It wouldn’t be your fault, but they may resent you for calling them out. So, it’s better to show that you can manage your own time and show up when they’re expecting you.
Don’t complain about your former or current boss or coworkers.
Quite possibly the most tempting no-no on our list, gossiping about your coworkers or boss, whether current or not, could land you in hot water. People who engage in gossip with you are equally likely to gossip about you, and you don’t know where your private information will end up. Besides, gossiping can make you seem petty and untrustworthy.
Don’t yawn or watch the clock.
Realistically, there will be days where you are desperate to leave work, or feel incredibly bored, but don’t let that show, especially on the first few days! Your boss and coworkers should know from the very beginning how committed you are to the company. If they don’t, you might not make it past probation. Your boss wants to see that you’re invested—showing you can’t wait to leave is sending negative signals, especially as a new employee.
To help you get it right, here’s a list of things you should never say when entering a new job:
Comments like, “This job’s not that hard.”
No one likes a know-it-all! It’s natural to want to show off your talents and abilities—especially on your first day. Of course, you want your bosses to like you. You want them to see your potential, and yes, you want to have awesome energy. However, you should try and tone it down to begin with—apply a dash of modesty.
Or “This may sound stupid, but…”
You know what else to avoid at all costs? This statement. Of course, you shouldn’t show off, but this takes it too far the other way. You’re making yourself look like you lack confidence. It’s painting a picture that you don’t know what you’re talking about. Aim to make strong, positive statements—don’t doubt yourself!
Or “Who should I meet and who should I avoid around here?
“Sounds like a reasonable question, right? Wrong. A question like this is basically inviting your brand-new coworkers to gossip. It’s totally unprofessional.
Also not helpful, “That’s not how I learned to do it.”
When you start a new job, of course, you want to show your expertise. After all, that’s why they hired you! If you’ve learned to do something a different way, it’s something you feel you should point out. The trouble with this is it sets a really negative tone very early on.
“That makes no sense.”
Starting a new job is a learning curve. It takes time to get used to everything, and you may come across processes that you’re unsure about and make no sense to you. It’s crucial you keep an open mind.
“This is how we’ve always done it.”
When you’ve been working in a job for a while, it’s easy to get set in your ways. After all, if you’ve always done something this way and it works, why change it? The problem with this is, it can make you seem too rigid and unwilling to adapt.
First impressions at your new job are a really big deal. What you say during your first day on the job can mean the difference between a lasting relationship with your new employer or a black mark against your career.
In addition to the points mentioned, here’s list of things you should NEVER, ever say on your first day of work:
In my last job…
This will only take a second.
When do I get a raise?
I have to leave early on Fridays.
That’s not how we did it in my old job.
That’s not my problem.
Can you keep a secret?
My prior boss was clueless.
I really don’t have time for this.
Lunch hour isn’t just an hour long, right?
I’ll think about it.
Sorry, there’s nothing I can do about it.
I remember my first job with crystal clear clarity. I loved literature and earned my teachers’ praise for my writing. I dreamed of getting a job in journalism and as soon as I was out of school, I got an entry-level job at the Edmonton Journal.
I soon learned that a job was a far cry from high school. Instead of writing articles for the Women’s Section, as I had hoped, I was shown to a room full of women wearing headsets. We had the task of transcribing classified ads as they were dictated to us. It was the dreariest job in journalism, I’m sure. What a come down!
Although that was a negative experience, it convinced me to go to university and do something that would have more meaning to me. It taught me to never take my talents for granted, and to always reach for something satisfying to do in life.
Good advice!
Thanks, Anneli. After university, where I took teacher training, I worked in a very satisfying profession for many years. When I retired, I was rewarded for my service with a pension, which I enjoy to this day!
I , starting at a very young age was never without a job, first babysitting, then working in a daycare center during the summers, teaching swimming, sales person in a dress shop – and this was all before I finished high school. I worked through university, and after, had jobs that I enjoyed throughout my working career.
Marilyn
Yes, those were the days! I’m certain that you were a fantastic employee, so of course, you would find it easy to secure a job. And it sounds as if you loved to work, a terrific attitude!
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