If you're starting the New Year with a new job, it's important to make a good impression on your first day.

After all, you don't want to be remembered as that person who took someone else's lunch from the fridge.

Virginia Brookes, Director of Resolver Recruitment told WILLIAMS MEDIA how to make a good impression on your first day at a new job.

Prepare

You can't make a good impression when you're stressed because the bus broke down and now you're running half an hour late.

"Make sure you feel confident, relaxed and are not rushing to wherever you are going. Even if you need to arrive at your first day 10 – 15 minutes early, always make sure you have enough time to centre yourself, reflect on what’s ahead and ensure you are mentally prepared.

Virginia also advises doing breathing exercises to calm down any nerves before stepping into the office.

"It sounds cliché but doing breathing exercises or meditating before you step into a new environment can be extremely helpful in mentally preparing yourself and ensuring you are in the best frame of mind to leave a good impression," she advises.

Read the room

You wouldn't turn up at a funeral overly enthusiastic (at least, we hope you wouldn't) because you have enough emotional intelligence to read the room and adjust your behaviour accordingly. Virginia says the same rule of thumb applies when it's your first day at a new job.

"Having the emotional intelligence to be able to read the room you’re in and adapting your behaviour and communication to suit is a highly regarded skill. This doesn’t mean changing your personality, but rather making small adjustments appropriate to the environment or setting you are about to enter," she said.

"For example, being overly enthusiastic in a highly formal setting is probably not the most appropriate behaviour, but presenting yourself in a more subdued tone will send a more appropriate and positive vibe."
 
Build rapport

It's normal to be nervous when it's your first day, but try not to let your nerves get the better of you.

"It’s absolutely essential to build rapport as soon as possible with whoever you are meeting with. Try to find some common ground or common interests in the initial part of your meeting, this will serve to not only ‘break the ice’ but give you and the other/s something to remember each other by and build a connection for next time you meet," Virginia said.

However, she advises to keep it strictly professional at first. 

"Don’t spend the entirety of the meeting discussing your weekend plans or the latest developments in your favourite TV show. Keep it short and friendly but don’t ramble."

Be attentive

It goes without saying, but when you're in a situation (like your first day at a new job!) and you're already extremely nervous, your body language can often give you away. Try not to fidget or look like you're distracted though, as it can be seen as rude.

"It’s important to stress focusing your attention on the person you are speaking to at all times. Besides removing external distractions such as your phone, make sure that you keep eye contact, maintain positive body language, and be totally present with each person you talk to, divide your attention equally if speaking to a group," Virginia said.

"Make sure not to interrupt or talk over the top of whoever you are speaking with, even if you are enthusiastically trying to answer the question to the best of your ability."

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