Now that you’ve landed your dream job, you may be worrying about how to conduct yourself in the workplace, especially if this is your first job after graduating. Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts to ensure a smooth transition into your new role!
Do’s:
- Punctuality is essential! This is a must for meetings, conferences, or presentations. The time to arrive at the office or log on from the comfort of your own home is somewhat dependent on your manager. Talk with them about the hours they expect you to be available, but the rule of thumb is usually starting your day between 8 and 9am.
- Create a proper personal email address. Most companies IT team will provide you with a generic firstname.lastname email address, but if you are offered the opportunity to create your own, don’t make it something silly, which will come across as unprofessional.
- Ask questions. When your manager gives you an assignment, they have a general benchmark on how long that task should take to complete. If you spend more time than they budget for, it comes across as unqualified. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because it will help you finish projects ahead of schedule and shows initiative.
Don’ts:
- Don’t forget it’s always better to overdress than underdress. Some workplaces are more casual and allow jeans, but you want your clothing to allow you to put your best foot forward. Dress up on days that you have important meetings with clients, and this includes virtual meetings as well. It does not come across as professional if you hop on a zoom meeting in an oversized sweatshirt or backwards cap.
- Don’t partake in office gossip. It’s no secret that people like to gab next to the water cooler, but don’t let those innocent conversations about your weekend turn into discussing a colleague’s personal life. Those details are really none of your concern. This is a place of business and you don’t want to come across as juvenile by spreading gossip.
- Don’t forget that at work socials, you’re still at work. Company outings can be a great opportunity to network and get to know your colleagues out of that 9 to 5pm work setting. Your company wants you to have fun, but not too much fun, especially when it comes to alcohol.
I hope you enjoyed this three part series and found it helpful! Now go update that resume, practice those interviewing skills, and excel in that new position.