The first day can be daunting as well as exciting for a new employee. This is because working in a new environment, with new people, and learning new processes can be quite intimidating for some. A quality orientation program helps resolve that and sets new employees up for success.
Orientation is an introduction to a company and can increase employee engagement at a company. There’s a high chance that the new employee has come from some other organization where the organizational culture was completely different. Employers take this time to train the new hire on the mission of the company and vision. The new hire should also learn about general policies, working hours, facilities, dress code, and also be introduced to their future co-workers as well. SureJob.in (link opens in a new tab) has some additional employee engagement ideas that may help you learn what to expect from your employee orientation.
Listed are some tips to prepare for a job orientation:
1. Don’t be late
The first impression is the last impression. Your orientation is the first time most of your colleagues are going to meet you. So, being late on your first day isn’t going to leave a very positive impression on them. To avoid being late, plan everything the day before the orientation. If you already know where the orientation is going to be held then, check out that place before the day of orientation itself. Get a rough idea of the traffic, place to park your vehicle, and shortcuts to the location. This will give you a good idea about the time you will need to reach the place from your home. Being late on the day of orientation can give you a very slow start to a long frantic day! So, arrive as early as possible for the orientation.
2. Dress to impress
Wearing the perfect attire is one of the most important aspects of creating the right impression. An appropriate yet comfortable outfit is going to help set you up for success. But, what should you wear? Most of the times new employees are informed about the dress code in advance. However, if that’s not the case, wear something similar to what you wore at the time of your interview. Also, take the advice of the people who scheduled the orientation. Trust us, asking for help won’t kill your reputation!
3. Carry the basic essentials
The first day of the orientation is going to be quite overwhelming and you will be flooded with a lot of information. Bring a pen and a small notepad to jot down all the necessary details you might forget later. Since it’s the day of orientation, there’s a high possibility that you would have to fill out a lot of basic paper work. Therefore, it’s smart to carry certain documents that prove your identity or your social security number. Apart from these, you should also carry some extra cash.
4. Do your homework
Since you have already landed the job, you should know a thing or two about the company you are going to work for. However, there is no harm in doing a little homework about the company and the position you landed before orientation. In fact, there are a lot of organizations that provide an employee handbook in advance before the orientation itself. If that’s the case, don’t go to the orientation unprepared. Take the handbook seriously and thoroughly go through everything.
5. Get a good night sleep
The night before the orientation can leave you restless. Let’s not forget the amazing impact a good sleep can have. The day of orientation can get pretty long and hectic and you are going to need all the energy you can get.
6. Bring a snack
There’s no way to assume how long the orientation can go on for. You also may not know if food is available. Carry a snack like an energy bar, nuts, or even a piece of fruit to keep you going through the orientation. Don’t forget to carry a small bottle of water either.
7. Don’t shy away from taking help!
During orientation, you are going to be given a ton of information. Take the initiative to ask questions if necessary. The basic purpose behind holding the orientation is to give new employees, like you, all the necessary information to increase your productivity from the very beginning. So, don’t be afraid or hesitant to ask questions. However, don’t waste time asking unnecessary questions, either. Take advantage to ask the questions that can truly help you to understand your job responsibilities better. Believe it or not, your initiative in asking the right questions will probably impress your employer!
