With the first day of school approaching, students are getting excited about starting a new year. If you’ve recently been hired for a new position, you are probably looking forward to your first day as well. Your first day in a new position can be exciting and scary, but one of the easiest ways to ease into your new job is to ask questions. Asking questions shows the employer that you’re interested in the position, willing to learn, and are eager to take initiative. Not only that, but it will help you learn what you need to know to be successful.
What are the top priority things that I should accomplish this week?
If you’ve been hired for this position, you probably have an idea of what the overall job entails, but on your first day of work you might be unsure of where to start. Asking this question will let your supervisor know that you’re ready to take initiative and show that you value his or her leadership and guidance. Just as you’re nervous on the first day, your boss is probably anxious to. Hiring is always a risk; reassure your new employer by jumping right in and getting to work.
How do you prefer to communicate?
This is a great question to ask because everyone is so different. Some people only respond to emails and won’t answer the phone. Others prefer chatting in person. Does your new supervisor like to be updated on every detail, or should you just get in touch when a larger issue arises? Find out how your boss and your coworkers prefer to communicate. It will save you time and trouble in the future.
How will I be evaluated?
Find out what the review process is for your department. Do they conduct performance evaluations? How often? What are the criteria? This is important information so you won’t be caught off guard when it’s time for your evaluation, but also because it shows what qualities your employer values. Then, you can be proactive in focusing on those aspects of your job.
What are the overall company goals?
You know about your position and what the company does as a whole, but how does everything fit together. Find out what the business’s goals are for the year. For instance, if you’re working in a position that manufactures toys, the goal may seem straightforward—make toys. But get your employers take on it—are they trying to increase production, bring the products to new locations, create new items? Knowing this will help you better do your job.
More than anything, the most important thing you can do on the first day of a new job is be professional and eager to learn. Be confident and ready for a challenge. Your supervisor and coworkers will be welcoming and patient with lots of questions during the first few weeks. Use that time to learn as much as you can and prove your eagerness to do a great job.
