READ TIME – 6 MINUTES

Are you in the process of preparing for a new job after landing your next big career move?

Congratulations!

Starting a new job is an exciting yet nerving time. Every day is adrenaline-fuelled and every thought and decision process is heightened.

It can be easy to forget what to do when starting a new job, especially if you’ve been at the same company for some time. A reported 70% of UK employees considered a career change in 2022, so you may not be the only person celebrating landing a new role right now.

Many pressures and expectations come with entering a new chapter in your career, but these pressures don’t have to make for a negative experience!

Allow AvA-V to walk you through what to do when starting a new job.

Finalise Your Research and Understanding

To be offered a new role, you will potentially have had to wow several rounds of managers and executives along the way. To achieve this, you should have put in lots of time and effort to learn about your potential new employers, the industry and business goals.

This knowledge is an essential part of smashing an interview at any stage.

Whilst you may understand the basics of the company and the role due to your prior research, conducting more thorough research before your start date will be beneficial.

Take the time to conduct more in-depth research about when the company was founded, its core morals, and how long its current employees have been there.

It’s also a good idea to learn about your new colleagues before your start date. This is useful for several reasons.

  • It allows you to put names to faces on your first day
  • You can learn about your colleagues’ interests and hobbies
  • You may discover why they love their role and the company

If you’re wondering what to do when starting a new job, see if you can find people on LinkedIn and which company posts they interact with to see what people love about your new employer the most.

Preparing to Start a New Job

Prepare Everything

Companies don’t appreciate underprepared employees.

Just as you wouldn’t be happy if an employer hasn’t set anything up for your first day, a company won’t be too impressed if you haven’t prepared everything you can for when you start.

Whilst it may seem like the power isn’t in your hands, you can do things to ensure your first day goes smoothly.

  1. Learn Your Commute

If your new role is office-based, you will likely have to commute some distance to work. Whether you land a job around the corner or in a different city, you need to prepare for your journey.

In 2021, the average commute to work in the UK was 27 minutes. No matter how you get to work, you’ll need to factor in how long it’ll take you to get there.

By testing your commute before you start, you can understand when you need to leave your house, what the best route to work is and whether you’re likely to encounter any traffic. This will allow you to arrive early on your first day – a fantastic first impression.

  1. Ask About Tech

Whilst a lot of employers now provide company equipment to their staff, it is possible that you may have to use your own tech.

Get in touch with your employer before you start and ask whether you’ll need your own equipment in your role.

This will show bosses that you’re attentive and they may already begin to trust your reliability as an employee.

  1. Clarify Dress Code

One detail that you may not have discussed in your interview is the company dress code. If you want to know what to do when starting a new job and you’re keen to fit in right away, clarifying the company dress policy is beneficial.

It’s essential to know right away what you’ll need to wear. If your new company has a smart dress policy, do you have the correct attire?

Preparing questions allows you to sort out any issues before your first day, rather than rushing around the night before.

Contact Your Manager

As part of your first-day preparations, your team leader should contact you to ensure you’re ready to go… But this doesn’t have to stop you from contacting them.

There should always be a dedicated point of contact if you have any queries.

You may want to contact your new line manager for a number of reasons.

It’s good to check with the company that they’re still happy and they’re ready for the agreed start date.

Contacting the company can also help you with any ADHOC questions you might need to know.

Will you have a dedicated parking spot? How often and when are breaks? Is there a canteen or will you have to bring lunch with you?

These are all good things to know that may not have arisen in your interview. Asking these questions will again reaffirm you’re invested in the role.

What Should You Do When starting a New Job?

Prepare Yourself To Learn

Whether you’re a recent graduate looking to take their first career steps, or a seasoned veteran looking for a change, it is essential to remember that you will start on a level playing field with everyone else.

If you are an experienced candidate, don’t presume you know everything when starting your new role. Being humble can be worth a fortune, as acting like you know everything can set a bad tone from the beginning.

It’s very likely that you will have to learn or adapt how you work… This isn’t always a bad thing!

If we’ve done a job for a long time, we can often get stuck in dull and repetitive ways of doing things. Taking a new approach to working can reinstate a spark in your work and provide you with a newfound enjoyment.

What to Do When Starting a New Job - A Summary

Taking a step in your career is thrilling and enjoyable, but also comes with responsibility. If you’re wondering what to do when starting a new job and there are some areas you’re unsure of, you should iron these issues out before your start date.

Learning what to do when starting a new job will show management that you’re a keen learner, eager to start and that you’ll be a valuable employee.

Get off to the best start possible by asking the question “What to do when starting a new job?”