A potential employer calls with great news: you’re hired! The countless hours of tweaking your resume, filling out applications, and going through interviews have finally paid off.
Whether it’s your dream job or the first step of your career, starting a new job can be a nerve-racking experience. It’s a lot like your first day at a new school. You want to make a good first impression.
Check that – you want to make great first impressions with as many coworkers and managers as possible. You can’t win them all, but you can try!
With this in mind, let’s take a look at six essentials for making a great first impression at your new workplace:
Fresh Haircut
Nobody will know it’s a fresh haircut except you. And that’s exactly what you want! A nice new haircut will give you the confidence boost needed to navigate your new workplace without getting too nervous and self-conscious. What’s more, a fresh hairstyle will help others recognize you as a dedicated professional who takes pride in your appearance. All this adds up to making a fantastic first impression at your new workplace.
Subtle Fragrance
We’re willing to bet you’ve got a favorite fragrance you’re planning to wear on your first day at your new job. Just make sure to go easy on the application. The last thing you want is to overpower everyone’s sense of smell with too much cologne or perfume. A subtle but detectable scent is what you want to aim for when meeting new people. That way, they associate you with a refreshing aroma rather than an overwhelming musk.
New Work Clothes
Landing a new job is a great opportunity to upgrade your work wardrobe. Look for the perfect work dress or suit to wear on your first day, followed by several other fantastic-looking work-appropriate outfits. Having a new work wardrobe will boost your confidence while also showcasing your practical fashion sense. In doing so, you demonstrate professionalism to your new coworkers without appearing too gaudy or attention-seeking.
Comfortable Footwear
You might be tempted to wear your fanciest-looking footwear on your first day at work. While those heels or dress shoes look great with your outfit, they might give the wrong impression to those trying to assess your pragmatism.
Generally speaking, you want to wear comfortable footwear at work. Chances are your coworkers will be wearing professional-looking shoes designed for optimum comfort. By wearing comfortable work shoes from day one, you start your new job on the right foot.
Minimal Accessories
It’s tempting to deck out in jewelry as a way to show off your style to your new coworkers. But too many flashy accessories can turn you into a jingly-jangly walking pawnshop. Stick to one statement piece, such as a necklace or pair of earrings, until you get a better sense of what the office dress code is like. When it comes to jewelry in the workplace, wearing too little is always preferable to wearing too much.
Friendly Demeanor
The best way to make a great first impression at your new job is to have a friendly demeanor with everyone you meet. Make eye contact, smile, and be ready to engage in polite conversation as soon as the moment strikes.
At the same time, take a minute to read the room to determine whether or not it’s the right time to engage in friendly chitchat with your coworkers. The last thing you want to do is get on the bad side of management because you decided to crack a joke in the middle of a meeting!
Have you finally landed that new job? If so, there’s probably a lot going through your head right now. While doing fantastic work for your new employer is the ultimate goal, that starts with taking the time to meet and greet your new team members. In order to do so successfully, you want to do everything possible to make a great first impression with everyone you meet.
Congratulations, and good luck!
