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The ball is in your court on your first day of the job. It doesn’t matter where you work: warehouse, kitchen, office, or anywhere. The first day is your first opportunity to put your best foot forward. You want your employer to feel comfortable with you, and you want to get along with your co-workers. Take the opportunity the first work day presents and get a head-start on that good first or second impression.

 

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Smile!

The first step towards making a good first impression is putting on a smile and greeting others with a kind, inviting gesture. Even if this isn’t your strong suit, there’s never a better opportunity to try than on the first day.

 

Establish a Connection With Those Around You

A quick conversation can reveal a number of things about somebody.

When you first arrive at your new job, take some time, if you can, to quickly introduce yourself to others in the company. A casual conversation or two is all that you need. Find out what your co-workers’ interests are, and see how you can use those to your advantage.

You don’t need to be buddies with everyone. There will be co-workers who might not like you. It’s only natural.

 

Don’t Let Mistakes Get You Down

Every first and second day is hard. Not everyone has a smooth start.

You might make mistakes, and you might mess up some big things. Don’t let that discourage you from learning and picking up techniques to improve your future work.

Give yourself time to find your balance in the new job. Your employer, if they are wise, will give you that time as well. Eventually, you will learn the ins and outs of the new job and the new company. It will get easier as time moves on.

 

Ask for Feedback

All you have to do is ask.

Sometimes a little direction is needed to get back on track. Even though it is only your first day, asking for feedback can help put you in the right direction. Make sure to be open to constructive criticism. This lets your supervisor know that you are serious about your job. It tells them that you are interested in learning more and improving your quality of work.

It is also encouraging to hear a supervisor tell you that you’re doing a good job. Make sure not to neglect your motivation!

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