Starting a new job is a very exciting time! Amidst all of the excitement, there are a few important “Dos and Don’ts” to remember.

DO show up early on your first day.  You’ll want to meet your coworkers and get settled into your work space. Plus your boss will be eager to start your training! You may also need to get a badge, uniform, or computer login depending on your job.

DON’T call off on the first day. Doing this could very well turn your first day into your last day. Car not starting? Call an Uber or catch the bus. Have a cold? Take some medicine. Have an appointment that you forgot about? Reschedule it. Of course, a real emergency such as a car accident or the death of a family member is an exception that most employers will understand.

DO ask questions. Asking questions about your new job will not only help you, but it shows your boss that you want to learn. It’s also a good idea to take notes so that you aren’t asking the same question repeatedly.

DON’T ask inappropriate questions. An example would be asking for a raise after your first couple of weeks. Other employees there may have been waiting years for one! It’s also rude to expect a vacation within the first couple of weeks or months after starting the job (pre-planned trips that you made the employer aware of being an exception).

DO be friendly. Introduce yourself to everyone and do your best to remember all of the new names. Making friends at work is a good thing, but remember to be professional and courteous with all of your coworkers -even the difficult ones!

DON’T be a jerk. There is nothing worse than a new guy who comes in and right out of the gate thinks he knows more than you. You may have been working here for 10 years, but this jerk insists that his way is better. Don’t be that guy! If you have a way to improve a process at work, there is a right way to  make suggestions to management.

DO challenge yourself. There is always something new to learn, even if your new job is in a field that you’ve been doing for years.

DON’T beat yourself up if you aren’t learning something as quickly as you would like, especially if it’s a difficult job. Just make sure that you are on track with the employers expectations.

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