How to Impress Your New Boss from the First Day

If you are about to start a new job, you probably are worried about starting off on the right foot. And it is good to be thinking about this—as the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. And if you start out looking like a slacker or less-than-model employee, it will be hard to shake that impression among your new boss and co-workers.

Fortunately, there are some relatively easy things you can do to start things off well at your new gig. This article shares some quick tips. Some suggestions:

Don’t be late. This should be obvious, but some people still make this mistake. Not only should you be on time, but you should actually try to be early during your first week. Not only will it make a good impression, but it will also allow you some wiggle room in case you run into any snags on your way into the office.

Dress the part. In business, appearances do count. If you are unsure of the office dress code, it’s better to err on the side of being a little overdressed. You can also step down to more casual later on, but if you start out looking like you’re on spring break while everyone else is in business attire, you will stand out in an undesirable way.

Show initiative. While you should feel free to ask questions, your boss will be impressed if you make an effort to find out how to do some things on your own. So spend at least a few minutes trying to locate the mailroom before bugging someone else to ask for directions.

Be visible. A new job can be overwhelming, and you may be tempted to hide out in your cubicle. But making an effort to meet your new co-workers and contribute to the office will help you fit in and will also show that you’re a go-getter.

How do you make a good impression at a new job? Share tips in the comments.

Image courtesy of bluebike