Congratulations! With the arrival of your formal offer letter, you’re officially off the job market. Resume polishing, waiting, hoping, and endless grueling interviews are now behind you. But what lies ahead? Here are a few things you should expect as you step into your new position, and a few things that your new employer will probably expect from you. Make sure you’re ready on both counts.
What You’ll Need to Do
First, the deal isn’t official until you submit your formal acceptance. And read the fine print on your offer letter. You may see other terms and conditions for your employment, for example, the offer may depend on the successful completion of a reference check, physical exam, or drug screening. Why do employers wait until after you’re signed on before they check your references? Because this takes time. Employers don’t want to spend hours searching through the background of a candidate who might turn them down.
Make sure you understand everything you need to provide in order to complete this final screening round. If you don’t know where and when your drug test will happen, now’s the time to find out.
On your first day, dress to impress, show up early, and expect some confusion and delays. Don’t worry if you don’t have much actual work to do, but stay busy. When you’ve finished filling out your forms for HR, find your supervisor and ask for a tour and an orientation schedule if you aren’t offered these things automatically.
Throughout the entire day, remember these things above all others: 1.) Carry a notebook or tablet so you can write things down. 2.) Smile at everyone you meet and keep your handshake firm, no matter how many sweaty palms you grip. 3.) Really listen and remember when people tell you their names.
What You Should Expect From Your Employer
Ideally, a system should be in place to receive you when you arrive on the first day. You should be welcomed at the front desk and sent to HR if your boss isn’t ready to greet you, and after your HR visit, someone should be available to show you your desk and walk you around the office for introductions.
After the introductions are over, you should be handed a formal schedule that shows you where to be and when during your first week. If you aren’t given a schedule, you should at least be assigned to someone who you can turn to for basic questions and initial assignments.
If these things don’t happen, don’t sit still and wait to be told what to do. From the moment you arrive, you’re being paid for you time. So if you need answers, connections, assignments or assistance, it’s your responsibility to speak up, get what you need, and get busy.
Good luck! Enjoy this exciting new chapter. In the meantime, if you have any questions or don’t understand any aspect of your relationship with your new employer, reach out to the staffing pros at Expert. We can answer your questions and help you get off to a strong start.