An Immigrant’s first day on the Job! 

CONGRATULATIONS! You have signed the Offer Letter and hence accepted the job with all of the employer’s terms and conditions of employment. You start work in 2 weeks from today. What do you need to know and do? I am now going to share with you some insights about this situation that will help you to have an amazing start on your first day at work.

Dress appropriately: During the process of interviewing with this employer, you must have or should have observed things like dress code whether formal, informal or business casuals. In case you have not, then there is absolutely no harm in asking the Human Resources person about the company’s dress code while you are finalizing the offer of employment. This bit of information will help you to blend in with the rest of your colleagues when you start. You certainly do not want to stick out like a sore thumb when you arrive at work on your first day. Furthermore, make sure that you wear a light, lingering deodorant or perfume before you walk in the door.

Arrive a bit early: How can you ensure that? Before you actually start on the job, it is critical that you map the route you are going to use to get to work, whether it is by Public Transit or driving your own car. You must take a TRIAL run on a work day before you start, to see how long it takes? What are the various routes you can use to reach earlier? What are the challenges, etc? This little exercise will be a great help in making sure that you arrive on time if not a bit early.

Meeting your contact: On arrival, contact the receptionist, introduce yourself with a smile and extend a warm handshake making the person feel important. Then ask for directions to the washroom and excuse yourself so that you may freshen up before you go in to meet with your contact. Appear confident and excited about your first day at work and it will pass off positively.

Introduction/Orientation: Most organizations will have some sort of an Orientation program for new employees, some very formal and structured while others very informal and on the job. Your HR contact will initially take you with them for a chat about the organization, its policies broadly and you will receive some sort of literature like Annual Reports or Brochures. Ask as many questions as you need to pass through the day without problems eg. Timings, breaks, lunch, end of day, etc. After having gone through this, you will be taken to your department and introduced to your colleagues there. Make sure you smile, maintain eye contact and extend a warm and confident handshake while you are being introduced to each individual. In case you did not catch the name of any person properly, pause for a moment and ask again because there is nothing more annoying, than someone being referred to by a wrong name.

Workstation: You have now met everyone in your department including your Boss or Reporting Manager and arrive at your desk, your workspace, your little kingdom. Express your excitement about your location and positioning in the office. Take down the contact information of the HR person when you bid them goodbye and ask them if it OK to contact them in case of any assistance required. Take charge of your desk and explore the contents to see that you have the necessary office supplies like stapler, writing pad, pens, pencils, ruler, eraser and paper clips. In case you do not have the necessary supplies then make sure that you inform the concerned department/person. Make note of all the important extension numbers and system passwords for email, network access, etc.

Lunch Protocol: You are aware of the Lunch break; however, it makes social sense to wait for one of your colleagues to invite you for Lunch. Ideally, do not be the first one to get up for Lunch. When invited, promptly accept and then just go with the flow. Be the Observer during Lunch conversations as far as possible and reply directly to questions addressed to you. Give the impression that you are a pleasant person to deal with, always approachable and easy going. Make mental notes, during the conversations at Lunch about the roles that colleagues played i.e. Leader, follower, rebel, suck up, etc. Do not take any sides in case of debates or arguments, just observe and absorb. You will have enough opportunity in the future to speak your mind.

End of Day:  Amazing, how the day passed. You see people slowly but steadily leaving for the day. Before you do the same, plan for your next day, even if it just to mention a couple of things to do first thing in the morning. Go to your boss and let them know that you are leaving and ask if there was anything that they needed to get done.

Very Important: As a final note to yourself – Commend yourself on a job well done today; be grateful for what you have and look forward to an even better tomorrow!

 Immigrant Coach