Navigating a new job: tips for your first day, week, and month

You aced the interview and got the job, now it’s all smooth sailing, right? For some people, knowing what to do on the first day at a new job can be even more daunting than the hiring process. After all, meeting people, logging into various systems, and navigating an entirely new work environment can be a lot in a day. 

As recruitment specialists, Emanate Technology understand how overwhelming these first days can be. So, we spoke with our expert Cloud, DevOps and Infrastructure Consultant, Lucy Blumer, to help you overcome your nerves and make a lasting impact. Plus, we’ll go over what to expect in your first day, week, and month of starting a new job, so there are fewer surprises on your journey.

The first day at your new job

With three-quarters of Australians agreeing that now is a good time to change jobs, there are plenty of new beginnings on the horizon. However, on your first day, rather than delivering results, you’ll likely spend your time settling in. So, what to do on the first day of a new job?

Here are a few things to expect:

• Onboarding and general admin, including payroll and superannuation if you’re a permanent employee
• Acquiring logins and access for the programs and software that you’ll work with
• A tour of the office, including lunch rooms and work areas
• Introductions with the people in your team

Remember, it’s completely normal to feel nervous on your first day, so be gentle with yourself. Instead, spend this time adapting to your new work environment and getting to know your coworkers.

First day new job tips

Emanate Technology’s Lucy Blumer has helped many candidates through their first day on the job.

Here’s her advice for helping it go as smoothly as possible.

• Say hello: Introduce yourself to as many people as possible on your first day. “It’s important to build relationships and understand who everyone is in the office, so you know who to go to,” Lucy says. 
• Consider your first impression: This is your only chance for a lasting first impression, so make the most of it. “Even if you’re not in a client-facing role, simple things like wearing a clean shirt and making eye contact when someone’s talking to you will go a long way.”
• Have a first-day coffee: Onboarding can get busy on your first day, and you might not always have time to meet everyone. Lucy's advice? “Kill two birds with one stone and grab someone for a morning brew if you’re short on time to make introductions."

The first week at your new job

With the first day over, you’ll start learning more and feel more capable of delivering on the role they hired you for. And if you’re a temporary contractor expected to hit the ground running, you might even begin delivering work sooner.

Either way, this is usually what your first week will entail:

• An orientation session, whether informal or formal, with general information relating to the organisation, HR, and workplace health and safety
• An explainer of your role and your team’s role within the organisation
• Calendar invites to various meetings, including direct reports and company-wide meetings
• Introductions with people outside of your team

In your first week, it's unlikely your employer is expecting you to deliver outstanding results or know everything that’s going on. But as the days pass, you should start to feel more comfortable in your new role and workplace, and be prepared to demonstrate your strengths.

First week new job tips 

At this point, you’re still learning as much as you can and getting comfortable in the role.

Lucy has some great advice to make it easier.

• Ask questions: “Working in the infrastructure environment especially means you need to know how different parts of the role might overlap and require communication with different teams,” Lucy says. Communicate clearly and ask questions to help you understand everyone's function.
• Prepare the night before: Lucy recommends packing your lunch and laying out your clothes the night before. “You’ll limit your decision-making and free up your brain for everything you’re learning.”

The first month at your new job

After your first week, you’ll probably feel more confident about what you bring to the table and have a good idea of what your role entails. After the initial onboarding and pleasantries of meeting everyone, the work typically begins.

In your first month at a new job, these are some of the things you’ll likely do:

• Begin working on projects and producing deliverables relevant to your job 
• Attend regular meetings, including with your direct manager, team, and broader organisation 
• Understand the structure of the business, along with your place in it
• Understand your KPIs and goals, including your team’s and the business’s, and how you’ll work towards them
• Check-ins with your manager to see how you're doing (and Emanate’s Contractor Care Manager, if you’re on a contract)

Once your first month is over, you should have a sense of the job’s pace and a clear understanding of your role. From here, you’ll only feel more competent.

First month new job tips

After you settle your nerves in the first week, you can start to make a genuine impact.

Here are Lucy’s tips for how to make the most of the first month.

• Show up in person: “A big point of difference for contractors is turning up in person on site for the first four weeks,” Lucy says. “This gives you the chance to meet everyone and really learn all the tools and procedures.” Once you learn the rhythm and how your team works, you can begin working from home, if allowed.
• Ditch the imposter syndrome: It’s normal to have some self-doubt about your abilities as a newcomer, with a recent review finding that up to 82% of Australian workers have experienced imposter syndrome. “Remind yourself why you were hired to begin with,” Lucy says. “Trust your skill and knowledge, and what you can contribute to your new team.”

Your first chance for a big impact

Whether you’re a tech contractor or venturing into a new permanent role, Emanate Technology is there to support you on your first day and beyond. With regular progress check-ins, payroll options that suit you, and access to tech training courses to keep your skills up to date, we provide you with everything you need.

Ready for your first day in a role that excites you? Check out our tech job board or get in touch today, and we’ll help you find it.