Making a good first impression at work

Making a good first impression at work

Going into a new workplace is daunting for most people. It can be difficult to know exactly what to wear, who to talk to, and how to act. There are lots of factors that contribute to making a good first impression- you want your co-workers to think you are trustworthy, easy to get along with, and skilled at the job. Take a look at some of our top tips for doing just that.

Office etiquette

Everyone will appreciate it if you have a sense of office etiquette. Make sure you only use your cell phone at appropriate times, have good manners, and keep your space nice and clean. You should also ensure you know the correct way to conduct business emails, using the appropriate greetings and sign offs. Making sure you aren’t late to work, or have any overdue deadlines, is also something that your boss will notice. Why not try the Diploma in Business Management Co-op at Toronto School of Management? This will teach you about working in an office environment for the first time, along with many other business related skills.

Avoid certain topics

It is a good idea to avoid talking about certain things in the workplace. You should avoid discussing controversial topics like politics, religion, and your personal issues. Differing opinions can cause tension between colleagues and could make it so others do not see you in a positive light. You should also avoid using bad language, as this could make the people around you feel uncomfortable.

Be positive

People will naturally gravitate to someone with a positive attitude. Be enthusiastic about your team and your workplace, and your co-workers are sure to have a great first impression of you. No one wants to be stuck working with someone who obviously doesn’t want to be there or seems ungrateful for the opportunity.

Stay out of office politics

One of the most important things to remember is to stay out of workplace gossip. You don’t want to get a reputation for being nosy or meddling. It can also color your opinion of people if you find something out that you do not like. However tempting it may be, staying out of office politics is always the best approach.

Get organized

Develop a system for keeping track of your deadlines and meetings. If you can manage your time effectively your boss and co-workers will know that they can trust you to get things done. If you can hand something in before it is due – that’s even better. It might help to get a planner to write everything down, or to use an online calendar to keep track of things. You could even just write a simple to-do list at the start of each day.

Take note of these tips and you’re sure to get off on the right foot with your new colleagues. If you’re interested in getting started with a new job, take a look at the reasons we think Toronto is the perfect place to look.

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