Getting ready for a new job as a new employee can be worrisome. Being invited into a new work environment is rewarding. A new job is a proud moment. But, we can guarantee most new employees can agree that it is difficult to relax until the first day is over.
A new job can often feel like the first day at school. We all know what that feels like. It is easy to worry about getting the smallest things right to impress your new colleagues and fit into the role.
From planning out the route to what you need to bring and wear, these 5 tips will help you prepare for your new job in no time. This is also a great guide for employers looking for advice to give their new employees.
Getting The Uniform Right
All jobs require different uniforms. A uniform acts as an identity for the place of work. It also works to reflect the job you are in. For office workers, the uniform will typically be a suit. Then for maintenance jobs or warehouse work, overalls and steel cap shoes are needed. Uniforms help the employee to feel comfortable in their work.
For most jobs, it also feels like a badge of pride. Whether you are starting a new job in a doctors surgery or in a warehouse, you will likely be wearing a specific uniform.
For example, if you are starting a job at a new medical centre, you will need new scrubs. Wearing the right uniform will signify to the patients who you are and what your job is. For those looking for the finest scrubs, you can find Dickies scrubs at Uniform Advantage.
Uniforms matter to most workplaces. Turning up with the right gear shows you are serious and ready to start. Being properly dressed reflects your organisation skills. If your job requires face-to-face interaction, a uniform is an important way of showcasing authority or skill. It shows you are ready and in the mode to work, which is a great reflection of you as well as your company.
Getting ready in your required uniform also is a great way to motivate and encourage you to get into work mode. Even if you are working from home, getting ready is a way to prepare yourself for work and commitment.
Make A New Schedule
With any new job, your lifestyle is likely to change. A change to your routine may be caused by new work hours or work-related commitments. Thus, making a schedule that thoroughly plans out your time will allow you to foresee the new routine before it happens.
If your new hours are unlike anything you have encountered before, you need to be prepared to reschedule your routine. If that means eating breakfast an hour earlier to make sure you get a train, so be it. If that means you need to take your gym clothes to work to exercise on your lunch break, then that’s what you should do.
It will take a while to get into the rhythm of a new job but practice and organisation will make your life a whole lot easier.
Making a schedule will also help you prioritize certain aspects of your life. If you need to be prepared for your children when you get home, you may meal prep in order to make the evenings easier and have more time with your loved ones. Or, making time for well-being as a new employee is important for the mind and mental health.
Scheduling your days will also maximize your time. To get the most out of a working week you will need to make the most out of your days, and a schedule is the best way to do so.
Your new schedule is as much for your home life as it is your work life. Through maximizing your time, both in and out of work, you will feel a larger barrier between work life and home life. A barrier is a positive thing. It allows you to focus on each part of your life properly and dedicate time to your work and home life separately.
Plan To Be Busy
Whether your new job is expected to be full on or pretty relaxed, it is good to expect the most. That way, you will be prepared to be busy and not feel overwhelmed. Or, if you manage to have a relaxed schedule, you will be pleased and may use the time more wisely.
If you do not plan or expect to be busy, a large workload and responsibility may overwhelm you.
Planning to be busy is a way to make sure you fill out your weekly schedule and maximize your time at work. If your work hours are 9 to 5, you can ensure to get as much done during those hours. If you expect to be busy, it will be easier to feel ready to get all of your tasks done. Similarly, it will be a nice surprise if you suddenly have free time.
Although being busy is good, it is a good idea to schedule in time for yourself outside of work hours. Getting in exercise or spending time with your family will help you relax and wind down after work. After all, you do not want to burn out all of your energy and suddenly have no motivation to do anything at your new job.
Prepare For Setbacks
If your new job is something you have not done before, or in a place you do not typically travel to, always prepare for setbacks.
Before you start your new job, it is a good idea to organise your route. Even if it’s a place locally that you drive past often, it can help to plan how you will get there. For a place you do not travel to often, planning a route is a definite must.
Either way, if you drive or use public transport, there can be traffic or delays that could hold you up and make you late. Being late for work is something you do not want to be doing if you can help it. So, ensuring you know the route and how long it takes with potential delays will help you get to work on time.
Other setbacks may include working later hours or missing a lunch break. In the first few weeks at your new job, you will understand the pace, flow, and responsibilities that come with the role. But at first, you will have no idea what to expect. Thus, preparing yourself to work an hour longer or having a short lunch break will help reduce stress.
Setbacks are often out of your control, which is why having a schedule is useful. For example, if you schedule time in your day for travelling to and from work, these setbacks will in some way be planned for. If you have 30 minutes either side of work that allows time for travel, in your mind you are already prepared to use your time for that. Thus, the setback will not feel so stressful and impact your readiness for work.
Preparing The Essentials
Last but not least is getting ready yourself and your essentials for the new job. Most essentials you need will depend on your role and workplace. Yet, some essentials align to everyone. Ultimately, all of the above points tie in together here.
A few essentials that will help you be organised for work include the right uniform, a schedule and most efficient mode of transport. Then, preparing your lunch, tools, and workplace required essentials is the next step.
Taking lunch into work will help maximize your time and save money. Having the right tools – a bag, spare money, stationary, a mobile phone, laptop, chargers – will then help you be more organised and prepared for the day. Keeping all of these tools in one place will help you be prepared for any situation and therefore prioritize your time at work.
Creating a small space at home for your work life will allow you to be prepared without making much effort. Leaving your bag of essentials, your uniform and weekly schedule all in one place means it is easy to access for the next day. If your job requires you to be on call then having all of this together and ready to go allows you to be prepared whenever you need to. Furthermore, this dedicated space creates the needed barrier between home and work life. After coming back from work, you can leave this place and walk away from it. Again, this is a great way to practice maximizing and organising your time.
Essentially, making sure you are prepared in the correct uniform, with a planned schedule, and organised life (in and outside of work) will help you prioritize the important aspects of life and maximize your time. For a focused mindset in work, you need to organise yourself before work. It will reduce your stress and allow your mind and lifestyle to be more structured and seamless.
