Everyone has a first day on a new job. It’s normal to feel those first-time jitters, even if you’ve done this kind of work for a long time. But you also want to be confident so that you can be successful. So how can you survive your first day on the job at a new shipyard? Here are 12 tips to get you started.
Plan Your Commute
Before you start your job, check out the commute. You may have driven there for an interview, but it may not have been at rush hour. If you have a couple of days before your start date, take a test drive to see what it’s like.
Set Out Your Clothes
You want to make a good impression. Before your first day, set out the clothes you want to wear. Make sure they adhere to the dress code and are wrinkle-free and in good repair.
Make Your Lunch
Go ahead and bring your lunch on your first day of work. Make it ahead of time and put it in the fridge, so you don’t have to worry about it in the morning when you’re getting ready. This can reduce your feelings of stress. Don’t forget to include a couple of snacks for other times when you might feel hungry.
Practice Greetings
Making a good impression continues when you greet the people you’re working with. You may take this for granted, but it’s worth practicing ahead of time. How is your handshake? You’ll be nervous, so that’s okay, but make sure you’re showing confidence.
Arrive on Time
Whatever you do, don’t be late on your first day. That’s why you should plan your morning and commute ahead of time to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. Try to be about fifteen minutes early, so you aren’t frazzled when you walk through the door.
Take Notes
Keep a notebook with you on your first day. As you go, and as people train you, take notes to help you remember. Many people learn by doing while others learn by writing down information to retain it. It will also give you a resource to refer to later.
Meet New People
Don’t be afraid to meet new people around the shipyard. Introduce yourself when you’re taken on a tour or when you get settled in your workspace.
Ask Questions
Never be afraid to ask questions. Everyone would be much happier with your performance if you ask questions rather than doing something wrong.
Offer Assistance
Volunteer to help others as you get to know the work you’re doing. Especially if you bring a skill to the table that they may not already have.
Meet the Managers
Introduce yourself to the managers, even if they’re not your direct supervisors. You never know when someone will be in a decision-making position and think of you.
Focus on Safety Orientation
In a shipyard environment specifically, pay special attention to the safety orientation. Safety is paramount when working around large machines, water, and other hazards.
Organize Your Workspace
When you are given a workspace, keep it clean and organized. At the end of the day, put anything back in the right place, so it’s easy to find the next day.
Are you ready to have your next first day on the job? Hutco can help, so call now.
