First Day on Your New Job

Philippines
January 31, 2010 11:15am CST
I was applying online for work and next thing I know I got a job! I expected that it takes a month of two before I get a call. I sent 30 applications and after a week or two, I got a call that I have an interview. I passed the initial interview and exam, then they said that I'm scheduled for a second interview after a few days. Never in my wildest imagination that it wasn't just a 2nd but a final interview as well. It was a like about a 20 or 30 minute interview and next thing I know was that I got hired! I was so overwhelmed because I never expected it! 7 hours from now its going to be my first day at work. I'm so nervous and excited all at the same that I don't know what to do. What would you do if its your first day in a new job?
4 responses
ckyera
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
hello nicavia! my congratulations for you on your new job! well, as for me, what i usually do on my first day at work is to observe the environment & the people around. i always smile with everyone and yeah i do ask questions if necessary and just act naturally...
ckyera
@ckyera (17332)
• Philippines
1 Feb 10
hello nicavia! by now you have already reported for work...so ho was it? hehe i know that feeling of being nervous & excited as well...i think i also feel that way before...but its ok, sooner or later it will be gone too and you will meet some good friends there and you will be more familiar with the environment & your work! i hope you stay long there and enjoy your work! and just have fun... good luck & God bless...
nicavia
@nicavia (46)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
Hi cyyera! :D Thanks for the greeting :) I'd definitely agree on checking out the environment and how they work. I'm still all nervous and excited. I just slept like 3 or 4 hours I think. I really wonder whats in store for me. *sigh* 30 minutes and I'm off to work... OMG!
maloohree
@maloohree (95)
• United States
31 Jan 10
Learn everything you can and ask questions. Bosses like questions. It makes hemthink you're interested in the place you're working. I hate the first day of work. I feel so stupid because Im around people have been doing this job for a long time. And then I'm thrown into the mix and I have to learn everything. I always feel bad when I mess up too.
nicavia
@nicavia (46)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
The feeling of a newbie at work seems kind of intimidating for me. I wonder who are ok and who are not hehehe Its been a while since I last had a desk job so I'm still worried that I might do something out of the ordinary hehehe
tap0991
@tap0991 (2766)
• United States
31 Jan 10
make sure you learn all the basic stuff you need to know. That is if you can learn it in one day. Also try remembering some peoples names other than your bosses ; D
nicavia
@nicavia (46)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
Thanks for the advice :D I'm not really good with names and I'll try to remember as many as I can :P
moosenutz
@moosenutz (26)
• United States
31 Jan 10
Absolutely agree with the asking questions thing. If you don't know something, don't try to guess and hope for the best. In sales, it's been said that in the best sales interactions, you talk 30% of the time and listen 70% of the time. When you're new with a company, there's definitely a little sales involved on your part, you are trying to show the company how valuable you are and why they should keep you around long-term. Granted, no company is going to expect much from you your first few months, but I think the important part is showing a willingness to learn the business (whether you're flying space shuttles or digging ditches) and having a good attitude. One more thing... you want to ask questions, but don't ask them at inappropriate times or so much that you are distracting from other people's jobs. You want to learn your job as fast as possible, but you don't want to shut the company down while you are trying to ramp-up during training. Remember, unless your trainer's job title is actually 'Trainer', they probably have other work to do as well. Good luck!