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Why is your first day on the job important?
Home » Careers » The First Day on the Job » Why is your first day on the job important?Posted by Your Guide on October 12, 2005 4:32 PM
As the expression goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” It may not be fair, but it is a reality that the first impression you make on a person is the way he will perceive you for a long time. This reality is perhaps never more obvious than in the workplace. A new employee, whether a summer clerk or an executive, is thrown in amongst people who are veterans of the workplace, and feels the pressure to impress immediately, because all eyes are on him.
The average American worker changes jobs every four years, and many workers change jobs scores of times over the course of their careers. Regardless of how often you change jobs, however, with each new job, there is a sense of both opportunity and challenge.
Your first day on the job is a matter of seizing the opportunities and overcoming the challenges. On your first day, you will begin building relationships with peers, superiors, and subordinates. You have the opportunity to lay a foundation of trust and mutual respect with these fellow employees. On your first day, you will also begin learning your new responsibilities and demonstrating your abilities. You have the opportunity to show that you will be a productive, ethical, and improving employee.
Sometimes, however, the most important thing to remember on your first day is that it is only your first day. The first day on a job can be incredibly overwhelming as you experience both a new corporate culture and a new set of responsibilities. You will not be perfect in either your work or your relationships, so don’t expect perfection from yourself. When you begin to feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that you will eventually catch on to the nuances of your job. Do what you can to succeed immediately and fight through the challenges so that you continue to improve on the job.
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