First Day Butterflies...

Congrats!! You just landed a new job which means all those countless hours of resume refining, research and interview practice have paid off! So why the nerves?! You clearly impressed with your resume and handled the interview jitters well enough to stand out from fellow applicants and you obviously have the right skill and attributes for the job. 

So take a few deep breaths and remind yourself of the following tips when the butterflies in your tummy begin to get the better of you… 

Preparation

Think of your first day as an extended interview and prepare accordingly. Plan to arrive early to work to give yourself time to settle into your new surroundings, chat to your colleagues and your boss. Your preparation can start the night before work as well! Get plenty of sleep and put some thought into your work attire.

Dress for success

Do your research and take into consideration what is usually worn in your new workplace. However, for your first day, take this idea and add a touch extra to ensure that you’re making a good first impression. For instance, if the office attire includes trousers and a button up shirt, add on a tie to your first day outfit.

Make a good first impression

Now that you have your outfit sorted, make sure that your body language is open and welcoming. Take the initiative to say hello to people in your new office and ask them a little about their jobs. Not only will this make you feel more at ease, it gives you an opportunity to discover some useful information about your new organisation.

Confidence is key

Be confident, not cocky. Show enough confidence in yourself so that your new work colleagues won’t doubt your position in the organisation. One way to show your confidence is to put yourself out there and invite your colleagues to lunch. 

Relax!

Don’t forget to breathe! Remember that first day nerves are completely normal and will subside in time once you start getting into a routine. Don’t feel disheartened from an unsettling first day. Remind yourself why you were so excited when you landed the job and more importantly, that you were hired because somebody believed that you could succeed in that role.

Job Interviews: How to Dress for Success

First impressions are everything when applying for a job. Did you know that it only takes around 4 seconds for a person to make a judgment about you? Unfortunately, that judgment is largely based on how you look and what you are wearing so it is imperative you look the part when applying for a job. Your attire and how you are perceived set the scene and tone of the interview and can show a potential employer that you are professional and committed to the job. Hiring managers need to be able to visualise you in that role.

Nicole Williams, LinkedIn’s career expert and best-selling author says, “On a job interview, your attire makes a statement about yourself before you even open your mouth,” she says. “A scuffed shoe, a messy bag, or a low cut shirt can speak volumes.
So, what should you wear to an interview? See the tips below to help you ace that next job interview and make an excellent first impression.

What to wear

Males:

• A suit in black or grey is generally the accepted attire for most companies. It makes you look professional and ready for work. Business shirt with collar and buttons. It must be ironed before you attend your job interview. 
• Matching tie. Don’t be that guy who turned up in a tacky tie with “fun” pictures of Looney Tunes on it. Stick to a colour that matches your shirt and a neutral pattern that looks business-like. Leave the outrageous ties for parties. Shiny dress shoes. Scuffed shoes or sneakers are a definite no as they project a “don’t care” attitude which will not increase your hire ability.

Females:

• A neat business skirt/pants and shirt ensemble with a blazer is the best option. Don’t confuse nightclub attire with business attire. If you would wear it out partying, it’s probably not appropriate for the workplace. 
• A knee length skirt is professional and chic. Showing your thighs while sitting down is not.  
• Keep the shoes conservative and looking neat. Don’t go in with sky-high stilettos or bright, sparkly flats. This looks unprofessional and may suggest to your employer that you are not a good fit for the workplace. 
• Neat make-up, tasteful jewellery and clothing that looks good on you to give an overall impression of competency and professionalism.

Quick tips

• Good grooming:  Men need to be clean shaven or their beards closely trimmed and neat. Clean clothes, trimmed fingernails, fresh breath and your hair neat are essentials for everyone.
• Consider wearing a jacket. A blazer or suit jacket adds polish and dresses up an otherwise more casual outfit. 
• If you’re really stuck you might want to swing past the office a few days before your interview to check what the other employees there are wearing and use that as your guide. Even sitting in the lobby or café for a few minutes and watch who walks into the building will be helpful. However, it is always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed.
  

What not to wear

Males:

• Scruffy or baggy clothes are unacceptable and unprofessional. Graphic t-shirts are also a no-no.
• Keep your thongs at home no matter what other people in the workplace wear on daily basis.
• The same goes for jeans. Turning up in jeans will show an employer that you didn't bother to dress up for the interview and therefore do not take it seriously. This is not the image you want to present.

Females:

• Keep the skin-showing to a minimum. Low cut tops and short skirts are inappropriate and will detract from the ideal employee look that you are going for. 
• Invest in stockings that are ladder and hole free. A little extra effort can go a long way. 
• Do not have a messy hairstyle. It can ruin the rest of your outfit.

Quick tips

Don’t:

• Don’t have your sunglasses on top of your head and your headphones on when you arrive. Remove them before entering the lobby as you never know who you will meet in the elevator.
• Don’t wear too much perfume/cologne or a scent that is overpowering. Many people are allergic to certain scents and it is not the thing that you want your potential employer to remember you by.
• Don’t look like you have been in your clothes all day. Make sure they are as clean and as wrinkle free as possible to show you are professional and prepared.

5 top tips for your first day at work

Walking in to a new workplace for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. But by keeping a few simple tips in mind the first day can be turned into a positive experience and an opportunity to create a great first impression.

  

Get prepared for the first day

Any background reading that can be done before you start will help you get a grasp of the job. Have they introduced any big changes lately? Do they talk a lot about their corporate culture? Doing some research will help you be prepared for any basic questions on your first day at work so jump online and on their social networks and read up about the company. 

First impressions count

Wear clothes that are appropriate for the workplace and exhibit positive, confident body language – make eye contact and remember to smile! Don’t forget your handshakes and think about what to say about your ‘personal brand’ if asked to talk about yourself.

Be confident

Remember that they liked you enough to give you the job. Exuding confidence on your first day will show your colleagues that you are a strong and capable person for the job, just don’t get self-absorbed.

Listen as well as talk 

It is likely that you will have to learn and take in a lot of information on your first day so in order to remember everything listen carefully and avoid miscommunication. People like good listeners, and if you can earn a reputation as someone who pays attention and gets things right the first time, you will be able to fast-track your growth within the business.

Take notes  

From loads of new names to where certain files are located, people are going to be dumping a whole lot of information on you from the word go. Carry a notebook with you and take copious notes, these will be invaluable to you later, and keep you from having to ask as many questions. If you’re working for a large company, ask if you can have a copy of their organisational chart, as this will help you remember the names and roles of your co-workers.

Remember, your first day should be enjoyable. It’s an opportunity to get to know people and learn what the next few months and years of your working life will hold for you. Don’t be so stressed that you forget to have fun!