The new apprenticeship year begins in September in most companies, and many young people gain professional experience for the first time. Many employees use the fall to change jobs. “A certain level of nervousness is normal and even good,” says Birgitt Espernberger, head of work and organizational psychology at the Occupational Medicine and Safety Center (ASZ) in Linz, which works with 400 companies across Austria. Below… Tips for a successful first day at work in a new company:
Provide security: “Companies need to be aware that the process for successful acceptance does not start on the first day, but much earlier,” says Esperberger. The potential employee gets a first impression of the company during the application process or interview. It is therefore essential for a company to respond promptly to an application – even if the applicant is not invited to an interview. This shows appreciation. Clear communication is very important during the application process: information about where and when the interview will take place and how many interview partners are to be expected and whether there will be several rounds of the selection process: “This information gives the applicant security.”
Keep in touch: If the applicant has received the confirmation and knows the date of the first working day, the company will keep in touch: “The company should communicate in advance which documents can be submitted in advance.” A welcome letter is also ideal, in which, among other things, the first day of work is outlined and the future employee knows what to expect – from meeting with management to getting to know colleagues and eating together. This reduces fear and uncertainty.” It happens that on the first day the workplace is not yet set up, there is no equipment and no contact person is available – this does not leave a good impression on the employee. It is important to establish belonging and social acceptance on the first day In larger companies, not only employees of the human resources department, but also future colleagues should welcome the “new guy”.
…: The new employee can also do a lot to make the first day of work pleasant. What’s essential is the willingness to open up: “You shouldn’t say yes and amen to everything, but rather consciously ask questions, but at the same time think about who you ask what.” Questions regarding working hours are in the hands of the human resources manager. When to take a break, you should ask a team member and not the management,” says Espernberger. Basic knowledge of the company is just as important as knowing the decision-makers.
To ensure that the new employee has no doubts about when she can end her first day of work, this should be stated in the welcome letter. “The ideal thing is to have a final discussion with the manager, who sets a final point.” It is best to plan the entire first week. The process of integrating employees into the company (“onboarding”) could take up to a year.
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