Tips for you new at the job

Dress comfortably

Feeling nervous on the first day at the new job is quite natural. But remember that there is a great understanding of it – everyone has been new at some point. A encouraging thought is that you were actually selected as one of many applicants because your particular skills and abilities were what your new employer was looking for.

Get yourself a mentor or sponsor

A minimum level in terms of introduction is that the technology is in place. That is, you get work tools like computer and phone on the first day of the new job. Login information should also be available so you can easily log in and get get acquainted with the computer, email, intranet and various programs.

Be social

If you are asked if you want to have a coffee, say yes and have tea if you don't drink coffee. Same thing with lunch. If a colleague asks if you want to go for lunch – accept and take your lunch box another day. To greet everyone is a given.

Be neutral

If you find that there are groupings on your new job, it's a good idea not to be a part of them. If you quickly discover things that you think could be done in a more efficient or better way, it might be useful to be a little careful with such feedback at first. Ask open questions instead; why have you chosen this way of working? An absolute no-no on the new job is to speak ill of your former employer – it doesn't give a good impression.

Dare to ask

The first time in the new job there are a lot of new routines to get into, facts to take part in and many new faces to be paired with names. If you have a mentor, direct all your questions to your mentor. If you are not offered a mentor, you can initiate them yourself. The most important thing is that you dare to ask questions!

Come – and go on time

Make sure to get on time but also make sure to go home on time. Staying around long after your colleagues have gone can give the impression that you can't do the job. Get to know how the culture is at the new workplace. If many people seem stressed and behind work, you can ask if there is anything you can help with.

 

Source: The interview with Sara Abrahamsson is taken from Prevent.se - read the article in full here (in Swedish).