So the Christmas break is well and truly over. After all the festivities, endless mince pies and duvet days, you’re ready for the New Year. What’s more to kick off 2016 in style, you’ve secured yourself a new job in your dream role.  For many of you, your new chapter starts this week and although you’re excited for what’s to come, those first week jitters are bound to creep up on you at some stage!

While this new beginning exciting, it’s normal to feel slightly overwhelmed with the whole situation. Whether this is your first job or your 10th, you’re likely to experience a few challenges along the way. But fear not, here are 5 ways on how you can overcome them gracefully, whilst still making a great first impression! 

1. Take note of everything!

Step back. Observe. Capture! Be ready to jot down everything from your supervisors schedule, to names of major clients.  The first week will be filled with information overload and with the stress and excitement of starting it’s natural that some things will get lost along the way!
 

Handy Tip: Take a minute at the end of each day reflect on notes and jot down any questions you have. You’ll digest information easier and won’t miss out any on important info! 

2. Build Relationships: 

Take every opportunity to network with key people in your organisation, make friends and build relationships. It’s important to manage and grow your network of contacts – you never know when a problem or opportunity may arise, after all your internal market is likely to be your greatest source of work!

3. Reflect: 

Sit down and reflect on every aspect of your role including its purpose, what is expected of you and what tasks you need to do to fulfil these expectations. By writing all this down, it allows you to set goals and shows initiative of how you will contribute to the organisation. Once you have done this, arrange a meeting with your boss to ensure you are on the right track!

Handy Tip:  Arrange a weekly update with your boss, where you can share your plans, report your success and clarify direction moving forward.

4. Find a mentor: 

Throughout your first week, you’ll be introduced to various members of staff, some of whom you may find to be very knowledgeable and successful in their profession. At this time, it is useful to think about developing a mentoring relationship with a member of staff like this.
 

It never hurts to have someone to bounce ideas off, who can act as a sounding board and help guide you in your new career!

5. Stay focussed: 

Your first week of course is a critical time for making first impressions so it’s important that you bring your best self to the office. This means looking after No.1 to ensure you stay refreshed, positive and energetic!

Healthy meals, early nights and daily exercise will all be beneficial in helping to get you through a very overwhelming week.

And of course not forgetting to…

Wake up and…smell the coffee!

Learning where the coffee is, how to use the machine and what people’s preferences are, are all great strategies to a successful week. If you’re stuck on what coffee you should go for, take a look at this! 

By following these 5 handy tips, you’ll be well on your way to surviving your first week!

For further information and impartial advice:

Please call: 0370 240 1010

Visit our website: www.adlestropconsulting.com

Email: jade.soer@adlestropconsulting.com

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