The first day of work in a new role can be daunting and overwhelming. Not only are you tasked with learning the ins and outs of your new job, but you also need to learn the name of your colleagues, their roles and how the business runs.
Here are some of our key ice breakers to help you learn the ropes and ease into your new position faster.
REHEARSE YOUR STORY
Get ready to give a 30-second explainer of who you are and what you do.
Having well-prepared answers to easy questions will help you feel less stressed as you have a go-to story.
BE THE ONE TO SAY “HELLO” FIRST
It’s an oldie but a goodie. Often, in bigger organisations, it’s hard to tell if someone’s new or has been there for months and you just never really noticed. Usually, they are wondering the same about you and unsure about introducing themselves.
Be the first to extend your hand to every new face you meet on the day (and week). This is a great way to make a great first impression.
FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE ORGANISATIONAL CHART
By familiarising yourself with the departments, teams and titles, you’ll find it easier to remember the names and faces. It’s also a good idea to look up some of your new colleague’s LinkedIn profiles and connect with them.
WATCH AND LEARN
Each workplace has its own rules and culture that may be unspoken. Whether it’s about work processes, finding out who has the networks or who makes the purchases, take your first few weeks to grasp how interactions and projects get carried out at your new workplace.
GIVE IT TIME
New starters often put a lot of stress on themselves by worrying about what kind of impression they’ve made in their first week. It’s normal to feel nervous but remember, no one expects you to remember everything you’ve been told on your first day.
Think of it as a learning exercise. Rather than worrying about what to say, focus on learning something interesting about your new colleagues. Having a genuine interest in your colleagues will set you up for building rapport and forming a long-term relationship with them.
