First day next Monday...

micromary

Starting what seems a excellent new job next Monday. Choice of 2 jobs and this one was the more attractive for the long term I believe (hope I am right!). I have not worked for almost 2 years while I was self-employed. So I feel excited but a little rusty.

Any tips for the first day that people have or what they did on their first day. If anybody has any funny stories of their first day then that would be appreciated as well

cml387

The person who is most friendly to you on your first day should be treated warily.

Nelly1234

micromary wrote: »

Starting what seems a excellent new job next Monday. Choice of 2 jobs and this one was the more attractive for the long term I believe (hope I am right!). I have not worked for almost 2 years while I was self-employed. So I feel excited but a little rusty.

Any tips for the first day that people have or what they did on their first day. If anybody has any funny stories of their first day then that would be appreciated as well

Be yourself and take lots of notes on everything your trained in! Keep your head down while still be friendly and you should get on great!:) well done and I hope it goes well for you:)

gumbo1

Don't try to please everyone, it won't work, be civil and don't stress over anything, it's your first few weeks so it'll not be expected that you know everything straight away! Best of luck

dr.kenneth noisewater

Go out for lunch with colleagues the first couple of weeks, much easier to get to know people when your away from the office for a bit! Good luck with it!

Arbiter of Good Taste

You might be brought around to be introduced to other staff members. Is so, they will likely ask about yourself, where you came from, etc. You'll end up giving the same spiel about 10 times. Whatever you do, don't give the impression that you're tired of saying the same thing over and over. Remember people are just being friendly and first impressions do count. You might be wondering who in their right mind would do that on their first day, but you would be surprised.

Otherwise, best of luck!

micromary

gumbo1 wrote: »

Don't try to please everyone, it won't work, be civil and don't stress over anything, it's your first few weeks so it'll not be expected that you know everything straight away! Best of luck

That is something I used to do in the first week forgetting that you have to walk before you run:D

SnitchingBubs

As soon as you walk in, find the biggest toughest dude there, and knock his ass spark out. Show your dominance and nobody will mess with you.

amtc

My first day in the job (that was my best one so far and where my lifelong friends are) started horribly.

It was my 30th birthday (that day!) and I had been told by my previous boss that it was a bad move.I had signed my mortgage the day before.

HR forgot about me, my immediate boss wasn't in, and I sat all day in reception, until I gave up and called my dad (I know - at 30!).

But eventually someone found me, and I worked there for five years and loved it. As I said, best mates from there....and guy who found me recommended me for jobs outside to this day...!

By the way I started a new job myself last week and was conscious I was a pain, so I brought in some sweets the next year just to say thanks - Went down a treat!

jimd2

cml387 wrote: »

The person who is most friendly to you on your first day should be treated warily.

I think that is a ridiculous comment.

I have made several friends early on in jobs and in some cases they have been friends for life.

Of course a person has t be streetwise but generalities like this will get a person nowhere.

As regard advice, some or all of the following:
Listen and take good notes when learning the various processes
Note peoples names in a notebook
Ask questions if you don't understand
Don't try to b the expert on the first day
Be willing to help out in tasks that mightn't be yours in the long term
Get an idea of your boss's priorities
Generally try to be a bit early for any meetings etc
Try to ascertain the people whose opinions you can trust
If someone is slagging off a colleague or company be diplomatic and don't add your 2 cents just to be on their side even if you have ammunition

In essence, be as neutral as possible and let your work define you initially. You can always make friends later on when you know that they will be your friends.

sawdoubters

make sure your zip is up the first day

Mrs OBumble

jimd2 wrote: »

I think that is a ridiculous comment.

...

In essence, be as neutral as possible and let your work define you initially. You can always make friends later on when you know that they will be your friends.

Some good advice there.

In general, I try to stay neurtal for the first 2-3 months, as it often takes that long to figure out what's really going on.

And especially here in Ireland, I assume that everyone in the office might be related. Better safe than sorry.

Jim2007

Well I started a new job some time back and on the first day, I mentioned to the boss that I'd be bring my kids to work next day as there would be no one at home to keep an eye on them. Now the boss's English accent was not to good and I thought his response was, "that's Ok, we even have people who bring ducks to work"...

Next day when asked by the boss what they thought of his office, one reply was "fine, but we never say the ducks".... the boss was perplexed!

micromary

Starting to get a bit nervous. Hope that I can beat the nerves and get a goodnite sleep tonite!!

micromary

This is wierd. Maybe it is because I am a while not working for somebody but I am bloody nervous about tomorrow.:( Seriously have the shakes. I don't think its normal to be stressed out. Anybody got any advise on how to deal with this?

Metacarpi

I started a temporary job on thursday so i'm still feeling a bit nervous about tomorrow. I think i'll be fine once I have my first full week down.

Just make sure and get a good night sleep. Have everything prepared for the morning, your outfit, lunch (if you're bringing one) etc. Read a book or watch some tv to take your mind off things tonight.

The first few days can be tough there's usually a lot of information to take in..I was wrecked! Just take notes, ask questions, smile and be pleasant obviously. Best of luck you'll be fine, let us know how you get on!

micromary

Thanks a million for the kind comments. Appreciate it.

dennynua

what is the job?

micromary

I work in credit control. The first day was ok. They gave me a half day. Today is full of little problems and a lot of information to take in. Already realise that they need me on board asap and the managers take no s**t if things go wrong!

Nelly1234

micromary wrote: »

I work in credit control. The first day was ok. They gave me a half day. Today is full of little problems and a lot of information to take in. Already realise that they need me on board asap and the managers take no s**t if things go wrong!

Don't let them get to you! Do your best and stay focused on the work you have to do xx

micromary

Nelly1234 wrote: »

Don't let them get to you! Do your best and stay focused on the work you have to do xx

Thanks Nelly. Appreciate it. Afternoon has been ok and I am getting to see more day to day stuff. As you say "stay focused and keep your head down!"

dennynua

micromary wrote: »

Thanks Nelly. Appreciate it. Afternoon has been ok and I am getting to see more day to day stuff. As you say "stay focused and keep your head down!"

how are you getting on now?

amen

managers take no s**t if things go wrong!

maybe because its a Credit Union and you deal with money and hence if things go wrong people savings are impacted ?

micromary

amen wrote: »

maybe because its a Credit Union and you deal with money and hence if things go wrong people savings are impacted ?

Never said I was working in a credit union!

The fellow workers there are great being honest. However it is week 2 and I have heard the first unflattering comments about the place and 2 people have given in their notice in the last week (office of 60 people!) My dept is understaffed. Great bunch but they are under great pressure for results and finding it hard to give me the necessary. Work is grand.

Biggest problem is management. My manager is a Jykell and Hyde. She has been in the company longer then others and knows her stuff but can't manage staff or train to save her life. One minute she is laughing the next she can be freaking out at someone. I certainly have seen a side to her that I did not see in the interview!

micromary

I don't know if anybody has had this kind of impression after the first few weeks. If anyone can give a tip as to survive in such a atmosphere great!

The staff while really friendly are under great pressure. They are passing it onto me. They are advising me not to stress and all will work out but they expect everything to be known first time around as they are so busy. Kind of contradicting. I am trying my best with notes and doing my best with what I am given. There is a real pressure cooker vibe in the place. Stressing me out already.

The manager is a condesending and openly ridicules people under her who are in their 40's in meetings etc. Seriously no people skills. I don't know if I am gonna survive in this atmosphere. Maybe this is why I was so nervous at the start:(

dennynua

micromary wrote: »

I don't know if anybody has had this kind of impression after the first few weeks. If anyone can give a tip as to survive in such a atmosphere great!

The staff while really friendly are under great pressure. They are passing it onto me. They are advising me not to stress and all will work out but they expect everything to be known first time around as they are so busy. Kind of contradicting. I am trying my best with notes and doing my best with what I am given. There is a real pressure cooker vibe in the place. Stressing me out already.

The manager is a condesending and openly ridicules people under her who are in their 40's in meetings etc. Seriously no people skills. I don't know if I am gonna survive in this atmosphere. Maybe this is why I was so nervous at the start:(

I hated the work I was doing but when your let go you really do miss it just the routine and interaction with people

dixiefly

micromary wrote: »

I don't know if anybody has had this kind of impression after the first few weeks. If anyone can give a tip as to survive in such a atmosphere great!

The staff while really friendly are under great pressure. They are passing it onto me. They are advising me not to stress and all will work out but they expect everything to be known first time around as they are so busy. Kind of contradicting. I am trying my best with notes and doing my best with what I am given. There is a real pressure cooker vibe in the place. Stressing me out already.

The manager is a condesending and openly ridicules people under her who are in their 40's in meetings etc. Seriously no people skills. I don't know if I am gonna survive in this atmosphere. Maybe this is why I was so nervous at the start:(

You should decide in your own mind if you really want to hold on the job in the medium term, ie 2-5 years. If it ticks a lot of boxes for you then work through this as best you can. Ask questions nicely and continue to ask and take notes etc.

Review your notes in the evenings. Get in early and be well settled in to start the day. If you have additional questions, ask them during quiet periods if possible.

Regarding the manager, do your best not to let her stress you. You see that she is like a to all so when she does do it to you think to yourself that it is not just you that gets it from her. If you need to discuss or argue a point try and not do it in front of others. It is also best to explain firmly and briefly based on facts but doing get into long winded debates this early into your time there.

Remember, with a lot of people leaving it strengthens your position a little even though the atmosphere is not good.

micromary

Thanks. In fairness I have no disagreements with the manager yet even though she has openly shown what she can be like. We have a small team of 4. One of the staff works Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the office and is excellent & very supportive. She is great in training and understands that this is a new experience. I am learning a lot with her if I am honest.

However there is another guy in his 40's who often does 12 hours days and works on the weekend (with no pay) . He is getting nowhere in the company and was openly ridiculed by the manager during the week. I have been doing training with him during the week. He does training with the girl in question is not around. After a number of years I would consider him disorganised in the way he works. He does not understand that I learn by doing and not looking at people just doing the work in front of me and can't understand why I can't understand him why he shows something. It is like me hitting my head off a brick wall.

I had to tell him to calm down on Friday morning as he was in my face before I could sit down after coming in in the morning. He took offence and took me aside on Friday saying that I was stressing him and others out (not true what I see), that I should bring my work home at the weekend, that I should not curse in the office (rarely happens and if it does it just comes out) as it is not ladylike. One of the guys openly does it and there are no problems because he has been there longer. He also believes that since I am on probation if I cause him further trouble he will go to HR. I find him arrogant and abrasive and can understand why the manager goes for him. Another manager saw what was happening last week and advised me to go to my manager and report it.

Annoying to have this type of situation in the first few weeks and I can do a good job at the place. I am confused of whether to take him aside or go straight to the manager during my 1 to 1 on Wednesday? I don't want further problems but I am not going to let a person treat me as a child.

Sorry for the rabble.

whiskeyman

Be friendly and chatty to the receptionist and cleaners, and not just the top brass.

Sideshow Mark

Good luck with work, it sounds like you are in a difficult situation. Its probably worth keeping in mind that the people training you are not trainers, and by the sounds of it have a huge workload to deal with in addition to dealing with you. I would avoid going to a manager to complain about someone in your first few weeks if at all possible. My advice is to get to know the person you are having difficulties with a bit better, is it possible for you to go to lunch with him? Also might be worth your while boosting his ego a little, telling him that you appreciate the time he is giving you.

I'd be very wary in my dealings with your manager as if she is badmouthing employees to their peers its only a matter of time before she starts badmouthing you. Also if she thinks this guy is so inadequate, why is she entrusting your training to him?

micromary

Sound good advise Mark. Thank you

_Kaiser_

whiskeyman wrote: »

Be friendly and chatty to the receptionist and cleaners, and not just the top brass.

+1 .. I learned a long time ago that it's important to be nice to the receptionists, security and facilities people. They're usually among the nicest people in a place anyway.

Plus they can do favours - yay free parking while everyone else has to walk up/pay!

But seriously, they keep the place running at the end of the day so be nice!

micromary

Just a quick update on how things are going. I am still there but don't know for how much longer. Staff in my department are either going sick or leaving. One left without coming in to say goodbye, the other is going in 2 weeks. Manager had a breakdown on Friday and started crying. Another openly said they could not care less if he got his notice today and another now will be out for a week due to health problems caused by stress. This in a department of 7 people. Was out of Friday evening with the whole company on a work nite out. Everyone got hammered. Good people but you can't keep that kind of atmosphere during the day going.

Graciefacey

micromary wrote: »

Just a quick update on how things are going. I am still there but don't know for how much longer. Staff in my department are either going sick or leaving. One left without coming in to say goodbye, the other is going in 2 weeks. Manager had a breakdown on Friday and started crying. Another openly said they could not care less if he got his notice today and another now will be out for a week due to health problems caused by stress. This in a department of 7 people. Was out of Friday evening with the whole company on a work nite out. Everyone got hammered. Good people but you can't keep that kind of atmosphere during the day going.

Hi op, thought I'd share my experience. I have worked in financial services for a few years at the very bottom of the ladder. I am highly qualified and a very good worker but was never given any experience/training and there was zero chance of promotion. Stuck in a rut in the middle of a toxic environment. Everyone bitching, groups gossiping, stress levels so high mainly due to a hr manager with very warped ideas 'her way or no way'. I took the opportunity to investigate other roles within the company and am now in a new office. Same company but a different location department and ethos. It is a breath of fresh air. Everyone helps each other out, nobody is over loaded and I no longer dread going to work. Things will and do get better but you need to be proactive in the process. I wish you the very best x

micromary

Cheers Gracie. Appreciate the support. I am starting to look now and applying here and abroad. Have enough of the toxic atmosphere in the department so have to do something positive. Hopefully I will find something before I hand in my notice. If not I will keep looking and keep positive.

micromary

Maybe all those butterflies and jitters 3 months ago were for a reason and I knew something had been coming. I am looking out for a new position but it came so far today that I had to give in my notice. I had no other choice in the circumstances. I know people say that you should give in your notice only when you have a new job but I just felt there was no way out and my health both mentally and physically was suffering. I never want to go into a toxic environment like that again. Thanks for the support over the last while.

Tasden

micromary wrote: »

Maybe all those butterflies and jitters 3 months ago were for a reason and I knew something had been coming. I am looking out for a new position but it came so far today that I had to give in my notice. I had no other choice in the circumstances. I know people say that you should give in your notice only when you have a new job but I just felt there was no way out and my health both mentally and physically was suffering. I never want to go into a toxic environment like that again. Thanks for the support over the last while.

Nah you did the right thing, that environment is no good for you. All the best.

micromary

My team leader who is really p***ed off because I gave in my notice and it reflected bad on him tryed to bring me to HR over to sack me over a email I sent that he felt was against company policy. Thankfully my senior manager had the sense to stop it before it went further. Notice periods are dangerous and I am keeping my head down as much as I can re this one and watching my work. My senior manager has already agreed to give me a reference and is helping me look for other positions.

Lesson I have learned is that interviews are a 2 way process. If you feel that something is amiss (interview is too easy or manager is cursing during interview as in my case) then there usually is something amiss. If you have a feeling where you are terribly nervous with stomach pains in the days and hours before you start it is not a good sign and it may be best to look elsewhere as these are not good signs. This is my first blot. I don't want a 2nd.

I have learned that my mental health is so much more important then slaving away in a crap situation. I am lucky in that I have savings to tie me over and hopefully I will get something soon. However I feel generally sad for anybody who is totally miserable going into their job each day and can't for whatever reason get out.

On a last note it is good that big companies in the UK are finally coming out and recognising depression and stress in the workplace and doing something about it. Maybe it is a small step.

El_Dangeroso

cml387 wrote: »

The person who is most friendly to you on your first day should be treated warily.

This is great advice and something I wished I knew a long time ago.

There are exceptions of course but what's the downside of having your wits about you if someone is being very pally when they barely know you?