Your job search paid off! Congratulations! This is so exciting! Whether your first job is a part-time job, an internship, or a full-time entry-level position, you want to make a great impression on your new boss and new colleagues. A little preparation will go a long way to help you crush your new job.
Some of these steps may feel similar to preparing for a job interview. Your potential employer is now your actual employer! Let’s help you make an awesome first impression!
Before your First Day
Get all the details.
Start date and time.
Where do you park? Where is the closest bus stop?
What is the dress code?
Do they provide a uniform?
What do you need to bring? ID, birth certificate?
How long is your lunch break?
Is there a refrigerator so you can bring your lunch?
Ask if there are any materials you should read before you start the job.
Plan your commute.
You don’t want to be late on your first day of work!
Check traffic, construction, bus routes, subway schedule, or walking time.
Plan to arrive a few minutes early.
Plan your outfit.
Dress code or uniform
Fill out paperwork or online forms.
Some companies may email these forms to you to print out at home and bring to your first day filled out. Others may send you a link to an online portal. Some may wait until you show up on the first day.
Online application. You may still need to fill out an official application if you went through the interview process off of your resume. It’s a good idea to bring your references’ contact information, just in case.
HR forms.
Employment eligibility: Driver’s license, birth certificate, passport.
Direct deposit: Do you have a savings or checking account? If so, your new employer will need the banking account information to set up a direct deposit for your paycheck. Many employers prefer this but you should also be able to receive a physical check.
Emergency contacts. If there should be an emergency in the workplace or if something should happen to you, who should your employer call? This is typically a family member, significant other, or close friend.
Tax forms. You may also need to complete Form W-4 so that your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay.
Review the job description.
I know this one may feel redundant. But it will help get you in the right headspace. And it may inspire some thoughtful questions you can ask on your first day.
First Day
Show up on time!
Should be easy if you plan your commute! This will make a good impression and start things off on the right foot.
Bring a positive attitude.
First impressions go a long way. Hopefully, you are excited about the job and meeting your coworkers. Let them see that. Bring a great attitude and an open mind.
Be extra nice to the person who greets you.
If you are working in an office, this person may be a receptionist. In a store, it might be a co-worker. In a restaurant, it might be the owner or a family member. You get the idea. You want to treat everyone with respect. Be friendly and kind.
Take notes (If you can).
In many cases, it will be too difficult to take notes. If your first job is working in a restaurant, retail store, car wash, landscaping, etc. you may just have to pay close attention. If your job is in an office, you can use a notebook or pad of paper. Taking notes is the best way to ensure you remember important details you need to refer to later.
Depending on how your day goes and how organized the hiring manager is with the onboarding process, you may think of questions. If the time doesn’t feel right to interrupt, write the list of questions down. Then find the right opportunity to ask.
Put your phone away.
Even if you see other people on their personal phones, do your best to stay off yours. Focus on your job. Social media can wait.
First Week
Introduce yourself.
Hopefully, your boss will give you a tour and introduce you to everyone on your first day. If you find yourself working a new shift or in a meeting with new people, be proactive and introduce yourself. Make eye contact, smile, and say “Hi, my name is [Name] and I am new. It’s so nice to meet you.” Reach your hand out to shake their hand.
It’s easier to be part of the team once you know the team.
Talk less, smile more.
If you are a theater nerd, you will recognize this lyric from Aaron Burr in the popular musical Hamilton! Now, beyond this statement, Burr’s advice was less than stellar. In this case, it’s right on.
Embrace the fact that you are the newbie. This is your first job. You don’t have a ton of work experience. You may be smart and have lots of ideas, but for right now, do more listening. This business has probably been running successfully for years before they hire you, so honor that.
Pay attention and observe how things get done. What are their processes? New employees can bring a breath of fresh air and lots of creativity. Make notes of your suggestions and bring them up when the time feels right.
Don’t sit idle.
If you think you have finished all of your tasks, don’t sit and play on your phone. Tell your boss you are finished and ask for more work. If you can’t find your boss, figure out how you can contribute.
If you work in a restaurant, offer to water or clear someone else’s station.
If you work in a retail store, check the fitting rooms, or straighten the messy shelves.
If you work in an office, offer to help a coworker, read an industry blog, or study the company’s website.
If this is a full-time internship, your hard work could turn into a paid position after you graduate. Read past research reports, review the sales deck, or learn more about the industry.
I have noticed that young people can appear to be lazy in the workplace and wait for someone to tell them what to do. They are used to their parents telling them what to do and when to do it.
It’s a good thing for you to show self-motivation in your first job experience and offer to help, even when you aren’t asked.
Ongoing Tips
Establish a strong relationship with your boss.
Each manager will be a little different as you work through your career path. Try to build a rapport and get to know them and how they want the job done. Learn how they want you to communicate with them, when is the best time to ask questions, and how you might make their job easier.
Depending on the job and company, your supervisor may be the link to your professional development. Pay attention and you may learn more about the business from their direction. Is this a company where you staying for the long haul? If so, this person can help pave the way or block the path.
Understand that your boss has their own responsibilities, worries, and stress. You’re probably not going to be best friends but you can be friendly, kind, and respectful. The first thing you can do is be a great employee. Complete your work with care and in a timely manner, and approach the work with the right attitude. Once the work is done, you may find a few moments to chat.
Everyone enjoys their job more when they enjoy the people they work with. While not everyone will share details from their personal life, you can find some shared interests. I have always found my reality show people who enjoy Survivor and Big Brother!
Meet other employees.
Depending on the hours you work and the size of the business, you may have hundreds of other employees to get to know. Or you may only have a small team working your same shift. When time allows, introduce yourself and learn a little about what they do. You never know when a situation might arise and your boss needs to pull you from your regular job to help out in a different department or area of the business.
A host in a restaurant may be asked to bus tables, run food to tables, or help with some basic food preparation.
A cashier in a store may be pulled to stock shelves, organize the fitting room, or help customers.
An office assistant may be asked to answer phones in the call center, deliver mail, or coordinate the order for the team lunch.
All of these tasks will be easier if you have met the people in these other areas!
Keep learning.
This first job will most likely not be your last job. Think of it as a stepping stone to your dream job. Try to learn everything you can about the business, not just your job or your department. Anything you learn may be applied to future jobs or can be written up for your resume.
If you are working for a well-known retail brand, pay attention to any communications from the corporate office. Is there a slogan or theme they use? Do they have posters or handouts? Is there a website you can access with customer service training? Make a note of these for your resume.
If you are working as a landscaper, try to learn about all of the equipment, safety measures, and proper cleaning and storage. Learn about any chemicals they use for weeding or fertilization treatments. Learn about the plants and trees they care for. Again, these details may end up on your resume.
If you work in an office, you may have access to more online learning tools. The company may have an intranet site with a knowledge base. They may offer a learning management system with training videos. Any of these platforms will have a wealth of assets to help you keep learning.
Connect on LinkedIn.
If you haven’t created a LinkedIn profile yet, check out my blog which walks you through the steps. If you already have a profile, continue building your professional network. Connect with your coworkers on LinkedIn. As you develop work relationships with customers or vendors, you might want to connect with them too. Any of these people may have a job you find interesting for the future.
You might meet the wholesale food distributor if you work in a restaurant.
You might meet the field sales manager if you work in a gym or fitness club.
If you work in a coffee shop, you might connect with your regular customers.
You’ve Got This!
Congratulations again! You are going to do great!
This first job marks a milestone in your life you will probably remember forever! Fast forward five or ten years, “What was your first job?” is a fun ice breaker when you meet new people. You will probably learn a few lessons you will carry into future jobs.
My first job was with Ben Franklin dime store. I don’t think they exist anymore but it really was a dream job in high school! Picture a smaller Walgreens, with a craft department that sold material for sewing, yarn for knitting, etc.
But the best thing was the candy aisle!
They had penny candy. Candy that was literally a penny! You’ve seen Swedish Fish in bags. Well, we sold them individually for a penny! I ate a lot of candy during my shifts! We also got a discount on our purchases so I paid back some of my wages earned for the candy that was eaten lol! Another fun fact is that we were paid in cash in these little brown envelopes. I think my starting wage was $3.85 an hour. Hopefully, yours is much more!
Additional Resources
Comments