How To Make Great First Impression When Starting A New Job
Starting a new job and making a first impression mean doing things like having genuine smiles, getting pep talks, and wearing clothes that make you feel confident.
This article is more than 2 years old
You’ve just landed the perfect role, which means starting a new job soon. While that’s fantastic news, it can also feel a little intimidating. After all, you want to make a solid first impression among your new colleagues.
Thankfully, achieving this is much easier than it looks. And making a good first impression is definitely easier than it feels. So, don’t let the worry prevent you from winning over new office friends.
Starting a new job is exciting news, but it also means you are stepping into the unknown. Suddenly, you are face to face with a new environment filled with new people and uncertain expectations. So how do you even begin finding comfortable footing?
A new NPR host, Marielle Segarra, had the exact same experience recently when starting a new job as the host of Life Kit. And since it had been quite some time since she had to make a good first impression, she was at a bit of a loss. So, she reached out to people closest to her for advice.
What they told her ended up helping calm her nerves and allowed her to begin meeting her new colleagues. It was such a boost to her workplace confidence, she decided to share it with her listeners and readers. Enjoy the words of wisdom Segarra received from friends and family, perhaps they will help if you are starting a new job.
Your new position will likely mean you have to navigate uncomfortable situations. That could range from being the boss for the first time to showcasing a brand-new skill. For Segarra, that was a photo shoot.
But, great news, the advice she received translates into all areas of the workplace. Don’t fake a smile – let your genuine self shine through. And wear clothes that make you feel confident so you can tackle any task thrown your way.
Starting a new job often requires learning new skills and proving that they hired the right person. That can quickly erode your confidence and leave you feeling a little lost. Segarra recommends getting a pep talk from someone close.
They know your value as a human being and as a worker. And they can help remind you of that value. Lean on a friend to help bring you back to center and remind you that you are good at what you do.
Perhaps the best piece of advice for starting a new job came not from a seasoned adult but from Segarra’s 11-year cousin. When she was younger, she was shy. Even at her young age, she managed to overcome that shyness and offered some pearls of wisdom.
She said, “Don’t wait for people to say hi to you. Be bold and introduce yourself. Other people are shy sometimes too, she says, and you’re helping them out by making the first move.”
That is a stark reminder that adults can also feel shy and unsure of themselves. So if you want to make a good first impression with your new colleagues, take a leap of faith. Be the one to extend a hand, and they just may surprise you.
