Tips for a Stress Free First Day on the Job

Over the years I’ve hired dozens of people. Some have been more successful than others at mastering day 1 at the new job. I have compiled some of the best tips from these individuals, and I am happy to share them with you here:

  1. Meet the team ahead of time:  Reach out before day 1 and break bread or have coffee with your new boss and/or your teammates.  There is nothing like getting a head start on bonding with the team you’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with in the trenches.
  2. Chart it out: Figure out the organizational structure.  Know who’s who; who reports to whom.  If you can … find images of your teammates and senior management on line so you can greet them by name day 1.
  3. Begin a project:  Dig in ahead of time.  Jump start the work on your first assignments and trade a few emails with teammates you’ll be working with.  Nothing like building rapport sooner rather than later.
  4. Look to the future: Look ahead and create a plan for what exceptional performance would be for the first 90 days and the first year. Confirm this with your manager when you start — “Wow” him/her.
  5. Contingency plan-plan-plan:   Prepare for the unexpected.  Put back-ups to the back-ups in place, e.g., have access to extended child/pet care and transportation.  Expect the unexpected — particularly if you’ve moved into a “long hour” or “fire fighting” culture.
  6. Know thy boss: Learn as much about your boss ahead of time.  Get the inside scoop from people who used to work for him/her. Here are some of the questions you can ask: What kind of management style works for your boss? What does you boss most value in the people who report to him/her? How does your boss fit within the larger power structure at the company?

As you can see prior planning and preparation is key to a successful first day at a new job. Good luck!

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Duke Witte absolutely was amazing! 

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to Duke Witte for his assistance in finding me a new job in the hospitality industry. I was disgruntled with my previous job, and I was feeling very discouraged about my prospects. I had been working in the restaurant industry for many years, and I had a lot of experience and skills, but I was having a hard time finding a better opportunity.

I was contacted via LinkedIn by Duke, and thank goodness I was.  Mr. Witte was incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the entire process. He took the time to understand my skills and experience, and worked tirelessly to find me a job that was a good fit.

Duke was also very honest and upfront with me about the job market. He didn't sugarcoat things, but also didn't give up on me. He kept me motivated and encouraged, and never gave up on finding me a job that I would love.

I am so grateful to Duke Witte and his team for their help. I am now happily employed, and I am so happy that I was able to find a job that I love. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a job in the restaurant industry. He is a true professional, and is dedicated to helping his clients find the perfect job!

Thank you again for everything!

Nick Grubbs

Working with Chris Bovio made job searching so much easier! 

Not only was he available and involved in my search, but also knowledgeable regarding the position. Chris used his industry experience and recruiting network to find the best position for me and my skill set. My only regret is that my new job is so perfect for me that I won’t need to use Chris or Patrice & Associates later.

Thanks,

Nick Guarino

Michael Greig was absolutely fantastic in every way! 

He gave me options and suggestions & eventually found a great for me. Communication was easy and he went above & beyond. Also, he seems like an all around good dude. Thanks again Michael. Solid work out there. You’re hired :)

Nic Callahan

Bryan Curtis was fantastic to work with!

Bryan was very on top of things throughout my recruiting process to the engineering firm I accepted my position with.  I responded to his LinkedIn posting and heard back from him within 24 hours. He continually spoke with me throughout the process checking in regularly and answering all my questions. Bryan was instrumental in helping me find a great job.

Thanks!

Austin

Frank Rondeau was a really big help! 

When it came to helping me find my new job, he knocked it out of the park!  He was very honest and thorough throughout the entire process. We had multiple conversations along the way and he always checked in after interviews. Frank was amazing to work with, and I'm super excited to start my new journey thanks to him.       

Many Thanks,

Chyanne

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