Congrats! After all the time you spent perfecting your resume, networking with people, and researching the company, you landed an interview — and nailed it. The next day, you were offered the job (and gleefully accepted it).
The hard part is over, right?
Truthfully, the hard part is just beginning. Now you’ve got to show up to your new job and actually contribute something of value. To crush your new gig right from the get-go, you need to properly prepare for the first day. Below are some of our favorite tips to help you do just that.
1) Familiarize yourself with the company’s online assets.
You probably already did this as part of the interview process, but it doesn’t hurt to do it again before your first day.
There’s no better way to learn about a company’s marketing than to consume it. Read their blog. Subscribe to their email newsletter. Follow their social media accounts. Download and read their most recent ebooks. All of this information gathering will give you context for the marketing strategy you’re about to be a part of. Besides, when you’re in your initial marketing team meetings, you’ll be able to chime in with new ideas since you’ve got the advantage of a fresh set of eyes.
Chances are, you want to go the extra mile. So you should also run a Marketing Grader report for a quick snapshot of how the company’s marketing is doing. The report critiques and suggests ways to improve your blog, social media accounts, SEO tactics, lead generation methods, and mobile optimization. Read the report to find holes in your new company’s marketing.
Having a deeper knowledge of your new company’s marketing can give you context for improvements the team is making to their inbound marketing playbook, as well as ideas you can suggest to the team. This knowledge should give you a leg up in conversations during your first few days on the job.
2) Test-drive your commute.
The weekend before your first day on the job, take some time to test-drive your commute. Practicing your route will put you at ease on your first day and help reduce the possibility of getting lost or being unaware of road closures. (Just be sure to add in extra time for your first day in case of rush-hour traffic!) Your future self will thank you later.
3) Plan out your wardrobe.
You’ll be most confident if you’re wearing something you’re comfortable in. Snag a few moments the night before your big day and think about what you’ll wear in the morning. Do you need to iron a suit to wear, or is your company more casual? Give yourself the gift of confidence and plan out your wardrobe.
4) Research your new boss on social media.
To help you familiarize yourself with your new boss, have a look at his or her Twitter account, LinkedIn profile, and any writing they publish (either on the company blog, their personal website, or an external site like Medium). If you’re like me, taking physical notes can help you better remember things — so write down a few quick notes about what content they’ve been sharing online and some of their interests/hobbies. This will give you fuel for future small talk that you’ll often find yourself doing in the first day.
5) Read The First 100 Days.
Big wins should happen early on at your new gig. First impressions are hard to change, so it’s a good idea to make some positive contributions quickly. That could mean differentiating yourself from your peers with a new idea, leading a new project to success, or simply showing your team that you are a curious lifelong learner. Check out our new guide, The First 100 Days — it will show you how to make the most of your first 100 days on the job, including tips from successful employees, managers, and companies such as Eventbrite and Twitter EMEA & APAC.
6) Pack your favorite desk accessories in your bag the night before.
Are you an avid pen-and-paper note taker? Do you like to have a water bottle or coffee cup at your desk? Would you prefer to always have breath mints on hand? Think about the small items you like having at work, and make sure they’re in your bag the night before your first day. These things will make you feel more at home at your new job.
7) Pay attention to your body language.
Body language can have a huge impact on how others perceive us, and how we perceive ourselves. According to research by social psychologist and Harvard Business School professor Amy Cuddy, “power poses” can actually make you feel more confident, and appear that way to others. So before you leave for your first day, try doing a Superman pose for a minute — you’ll feel much more ready to take on your new challenge at work.
8) Don’t overthink it.
You were hired for a reason. So don’t get so caught up in preparing for your first day that you get too nervous when you actually show up. The night before your first day, take the time you need to relax so you can get a good night’s sleep. Your new coworkers are excited you’re on board — you just need to show up, be friendly and confident, and make ’em glad they hired you.
What other tips would you recommend to people starting a new job? Share your favorites with us in the comments.
