How to Make a Good Impression at a New Job

When you start a new job, you want to make a good impression on your superiors and co-workers to ensure that you'll have a great time working there. You don't want to come off as cold or snobby or you may find yourself the enemy of your co-workers. You also don't want to appear lazy or unreliable for fear of feeling as though you're clinging to your job the entire time you're employed.

Be On Time

You should show up on time for any job, old or new, but it's especially important to be timely when you're first starting. Your boss may tolerate the "my kids missed the bus" story after a year or two on the job, but it won't make a good impression within the first week. Aim to be five to ten minutes early, especially on your first day.

If you're the type of person who constantly runs late, set a goal. Tell yourself to be at work half an hour before you are scheduled. If you have children or other family members who may lag and make you late, plan in advance to avoid that situation. Swap car pool duties with a neighbor or have your spouse take the children to school.

Play it Cool

You want to be friendly with your new co-workers, but you don't want to come across as too bubbly or too enthusiastic, or even worse, the person who's trying too hard. Avoid making jokes either in meetings or during down time, especially jokes that make fun of co-workers. 

Don't leap into other people's conversations. If your new colleagues invite you to lunch, go with them, but don't invite yourself. You'll make new friends at work in time. You don't want to alienate people when you've just started out.

Have Some Ideas, but Know Your Place

You're the new person. Co-workers can grow resentful if you, as the "new guy in the office", keep shouting out new ideas in a meeting or stealing the spotlight from them. If you head to a meeting full of ideas and say them all, you may notice that others in the room don't listen.

Do your job as assigned at least for the first month. To make yourself noticed, start picking out areas of the job where things can be improved. For example, if you work in a restaurant, you may notice that repositioning some items on the server's stand makes things move more efficiently. 

Quietly move those items, but don't brag about it. Your co-workers will notice and respect you for it. Be willing to work on the projects no one else wants, at least until you're no longer the "new guy."

Take Notes and Know Who to Ask

Employers like it when you're attentive during training and when you grasp concepts without them having to repeat themselves. Even if you're sure you won't forget, jot down what your employer says, so that you have something to refer to later on when you're left to the task by yourself. If you do need help with something, figure who the right person is to ask before asking everyone in the office.

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