Congratulations! Your agent has just phoned
you to let you know you landed that contract role... you start
work next week. Feeling a trifle overwhelmed, those nervous jitters
turning your mouth dry? If you are, then don't worry you're not
in the minority.
Try not to - make it mid-week instead. Your client's sins of relaxing over weekends have to be paid for by double effort at week's start, so nobody will have time for you. Things cool down by Tuesday, so you show up to a more relaxed Wednesday.
It's a good idea to do some initial research about your new place of work - about their product lines, philosophies and their corporate culture. Call around to see if any of your fellow contractors know any of your future co-workers. A 15-minute chat with them before you start can help to fill in many of the blanks concerning the company's current climate and recent activities.
Whether you're driving to work or using public
transport, be sure to leave plenty of time to get there early.
Treat it like a job interview, and remember first impressions
do count. Eat breakfast before you leave your house -- fresh breath
is a must!
Remember that your workday begins when you leave your house (or
B&B!). You never know when you'll come into contact with your
co-workers or boss. Your neigbour may well be your new boss! Whether
you take the bus or drive, just think of all individuals you may
meet as being a potential boss, co-worker, or client.
So you finally made it to your new workplace. Now take a deep breath and walk in with a smile on your face. Keep your head up and remember to make eye contact. Be polite and friendly to everyone you encounter, whether it's the receptionist or the gate security, your colleagues or your new boss. Introduce yourself to those you meet and remember that it's okay to ask questions. People generally like to help others and it usually makes them feel good about themselves.
It would be nice to see a friendly face when you walk in the first day. Remember that it might be the most important day of your contract, but for others it's just another day. Many of your colleagues may be too busy to welcome you in immediately. Don't panic, this is normal behavior. You're 'just a contractor' after all.
People make judgments based on this. Introduce yourself to your new colleagues, if somebody else doesn't do it for you. Let people know you're thrilled to be working there. It might sound pathetic, but people react well to a contractor who's genuinely glad to be there. Dress formally the first day. If everyone else is dressed casual, you may get a few funny looks, but better be safe than sorry. Puting on your new suit will make you feel confident, and you'll look confident to others. Get there early - it'll give you time to meet some people before the day starts.
No idea what you are supposed to be doing?
Don't be surprised if you spend the first day in filling out forms, reading company literature or meeting people. It will be a couple of days before you actually get down to doing what you were hired to do. There are many instances whereby you'll be wondering what you have let yourself in for - no one seems to know who you are or indeed why you're there. Your boss may not even be there to meet you and the first few days you're engrossed (!) in reading protocols and SOPs. Welcome to contracting!
Alleviate your eyes from 5-hour reading sessions by finding out about new starter orientation schemes. Find out the location of toilets, emergency exits, cafeteria, break rooms and snack If the company has multiple buildings perhaps a floor plan or map of the grounds can help you, especially if you're working in Pfizer Sandwich or Astra Zeneca in Macclesfield. Later you'll want to find out where the first aid kits, fire extinguishers and security personnel can be found.
Other things to ask about (if you haven't already) include parking provisions, shuttles or transportation links. Are there commuter discount tickets or vouchers, existing carpools or bike storage lockers?
Make the most of meeting management
You might get to meet your leadership team on day one itself, a practice more prevalent in organized companies! Take advantage of the moment, as it may be a long time before you see them next. In smaller companies, top management may also be your immediate supervisor. Either way, don't be too nervous. Even though you may not see them ever again, if you can use the opportunity to make a positive impression on them, they may well remember you when they are discussing future resourcing!
Work with your colleagues from day one
Listen and observe before jumping in to suggest changes. A brash newcomer, whether you have 10 years experience or not, talking about "better ways" to do things, will meet with hostility. Stay away from office gossip. The grapevine is considered the unofficial office newsletter. Pay attention to it, but please don't contribute - unless you are Machiavelli incarnate, you'll put your foot in it.
While it's okay to hold onto the things you learned in your previous contracts/jobs and use that knowledge in your new job, remember that every workplace has it's own way of doing things. Your first few weeks or even months on a job is not the time to change the way things get done. Do not utter these words: "That's not how we did it at my old company." Your colleagues will just be thinking this: "Well, you're not at your old company and if you liked it so much why didn't you stay there?"
Get used to your first day in your new contract. In the modern quick turnover scenario, there will be many more first days on the job. So just go out and make the most of it. You may not get on with everyone on your team, but you've been hired to do a job so try and do your best. If you really don't think you fit it, then at least you can console yourself with the fact that it's only a contract position!
