Making a good first impression

Making a good first impression Making a good first impression is critical for laying the groundwork of a successful career at an employer. How many times have you judged a person from an initial meeting? Your new boss and co-workers may similarly judge you during your first few weeks on the job. Start strong, and continue your stellar work habits so that you build your reputation as a reliable professional and an asset. Below are some tips for a successful start to your new job.First In, Last OutOne of the worst things you can do on your first day at a new job is to arrive late. Being tardy is a definite no-no in trying to establish yourself as reliable. Pick your outfit and prepare everything youll bring with you the night before, figure out how long your commute will take, plan for traffic or delays and arrive at the office before youre expected therenot five minutes after. The same goes for leaving at the end of the day: dont be the first to beeline for the door, or it will look like youre counting down the sec onds to closing time, rather than remaining engaged in your work. That doesnt mean you have to stay hours past shutdown without anything to do. But be mindful of the office culture and habits, and make sure that youre present and ready when youre expected to be.Shine those ShoesMany offices boast business casual or even casual dress codes nowadays. And while there is nothing wrong with adhering to your new companys wardrobe policy, you should take a little more care in your appearance during your first few weeks on the job. Pesky first impressions stem from how we look as well, so show them what youve got when it comes to professional attire and rack up your brownie points for being well-put-together.Take Notes Your first days on the job will likely include how-to sessions and meetings to discuss your tasks. As you dart from one meeting to the next, dont forget your netbook, iPad, or good old pen and paperwhichever means you use to take notes. Unless you have a photographic memory l ike Mike Ross on Suits, you may become overwhelmed with all of the new processes you need to learn and tasks you are given to complete. Plus, keeping track of your responsibilities will help you stay organizedkey for making a good impressionand taking notes will demonstrate your organization and level of commitment.Be OrganizedSpeaking of being organized, be on top of orderliness from the start: create email folders to keep track of important messages for various topics; devise a logical filing system for your electronic and paper documents so that you can easily find something when your boss asks for it; save contact information for important contacts; create and update a to-do list of all of your projects and assignments (which will be easy once youve taken notes on all of your tasks); and develop deadlines for yourself so that you stay on top of your work. Dont disappoint your boss by forgetting about a taskget your projects done on time, and brand yourself as trustworthy.Go Rah Rah for your JobA new job is an exciting opportunity, and even if you arent gung-ho about your new position, you should still approach it with enthusiasm. Show your new boss that you are eager and interested in your work, so that he or she knows that you want to be there.Be RespectfulBuilding respect requires giving respect. Dont stroll into your new job with a chip on your shoulder and your nose in the air. Dont forget: youre the new kid. Instead, take time to learn about how the company operates, what processes it uses, what roles people fill and how their positions interact with yours. Figure out where you fit, rather than trying to mold the company to how you operate. Of course, taking initiative and brainstorming ways to better the company are great career-building steps, but make sure that you dont overstep your bounds the minute you walk through the door.