How to behave on the first day in the office?

You’ve done the interview and the desired position is yours! The first work day is coming and if you think this is an ordinary day, you’ll have to change your vision of the workplace.

The first day is unusual for two simple reasons:

1.      You are not expected to do any work, and still you’ll be paid for this!

2.      You have the only opportunity to make the "first impression" to your colleagues 

(your boss already had you tested in the interview)

It is important for every person to be able to control the first impression for themselves (and personal and business plan). Experience shows that bad first impression can lead to spending a lot time for changing it and you may not succeed. Often the first impression is the most lasting.

How you look, what clothes you wear, how you greet, how you shake hands, how you present yourself, how you take casual conversations in the coffee break - these are the things that will form a first impression about you through your first day.

What are the main mistakes we have to avoid when starting a new job?

- Ignore dress code in the office.

- Lack of basic business etiquette when introducing yourself to new people.

- Inability to do "small talks"

·         Dress code

Can you imagine going to the office in a formal dressing and everyone is dressed in comfortable clothes like jeans or t-shirts? Or the opposite situation: You wear simple clothing but others are dressed in suits and ties?

Each office has an approved way of dressing. Often it is even written in the Internal Regulations which.... you get to the first day and it's late enough! Therefore you can use the chance to ask about the dress code in the office during the the final interview, if you can’t figure it out from the previous meetings.

Once you're aware of it - follow the style, even if you don’t like it. Unless you’re the new artistic director, or at least graphic designer, then you’ll have to do this.

·         Way to meet new people.

Business Etiquette - these are delicate rules which, if known and respected, we can prevent a lot of embarrassing situations.To create a good first impression you need to know how to greet, how to shake hands and how to initiate and lead a simple conversation.Behave naturally, do not cross your hands and feet!With balancing your voice you can also express your interest in the conversation and the person in front of you.Eye contact - this is a good way to tell the other person "I hear you!"Engaged listening andnodding with your head will show that you’re 100% in the conversation.

It is important what conversation themes you open. The best improvisation is the learned one. You have to have a scenario, a set of topics that will help you lead a conversation. Although they seem comfortable, try to avoid these topics: the weather, the traffic, your personal health, ecological or political problems and personal failures. Don’t complain or brag. Let others form their own impression for you.

The final aim of a small and a general talk is to learn more about a person and get to know them. We don’tonly learn something about the person in front of us,they will also be able to know us better. All this is just the beginning. But a good start will help you to be in communion with your office colleagues.