It’s safe to say that last week was a huge week in our nation for many reasons. And two people in the UK, Liz Truss and King Charles III, had quite astounding first weeks in new jobs.
And for these two, the pressure was well and truly on. Liz Truss must crack on and start producing some results for the country and King Charles III has a busy schedule ahead combined with his personal mourning. Thankfully as accountants the process of getting our feet under the desk and making meaningful relationships with our clients and colleagues might be slightly more relaxed.
So, in this week’s candidate facing article we thought it might be helpful to showcase our top ten tips for making a great first impression in your new job as an accountant.
1. Remember that ‘Fear is Progress’
This was the topic of last week’s blog and we’re reminding you again already.
Those butterflies in your stomach are a brilliant thing. You’re nervous because you care, but remember that your colleagues are human too and it’s in their interest for you to succeed so you can be honest about the fact you’re nervous and harness those feelings into a desire to succeed and make a big impact in your new role.
2. Don’t expect to remember everything you’re told on your first day!
An induction is a barrage of information on the brain. Add to that, you’re likely trying to remember the names of colleagues and important clients and it’s really no surprise that your brain might be feeling close to bursting by the end of your first day!
Make a joke of the fact that you’re unlikely to remember everyone’s names – it’s a universal feeling that everyone will empathise with.
3. Ask your manager what expectations they have of you in your first week, month and six months on the job.
It’s very easy to feel overwhelmed by the size of the task that lies ahead and understanding what elements of your new role you are expected to be handling autonomously and when will help you break up what you need to be achieving into more manageable chunks.
4. Start as you mean to continue.
Though we’d always recommend you arrive a little early during your first week on the job, make sure you don’t start any habits that you wouldn’t want to become an expectation. If you are not able to be at your desk at 7.30am longterm, don’t try an impress your managers by being the first in the office during your first week or so.
And on the subject of start and finish times, be honest about your external or caring commitments from the outset and explain to your employer how you’d ideally like to work and where you’ll make up any extra time that you need to take off.
5. Make sure you get some true face to face time.
Lots of roles that we’re recruiting into are now 100% remote. And we’ve supported plenty of our clients to get to grips with remote inductions. But regardless of how far away you live from your new employer’s physical address, it will be worth heading in to the office and meeting your colleagues face to face during your induction.
6. Take the initiative.
You’ll have lots of questions during your induction but when you spot a task that you feel confident to complete autonomously, offer to do it for a few hours here and there.
Being responsible for a new employee is a big task for whoever you are shadowing and they likely will have their own workload to keep up with, so showcasing that you can be left to complete some tasks here and there will allow them to do just that and also demonstrate that you’re keen to make an impact.
7. Smile and make eye contact.
When you’re being introduced to new colleagues and clients, make sure you greet them in a warm and confident way. Take an interest in them as people, ask where they are from and attempt to find some common ground. You’ll find it much easier to go to them for help or to support them as clients if you’ve made a positive first impression.
8. Focus on your wellbeing.
A new job is high up the scale of stressful life events and you’ll want to ensure that you’re feeling mentally and physically well enough to make that great first impression! Be sure to get enough sleep, eat well and stay hydrated and make sure you’re fitting in moments of calm and quiet and some exercise to help your mind and body process the intensity of all that you’re learning and taking in.
9. Make sure you’re supported.
Clear some space in your life for your new job to temporarily be your focus. Make sure that your loved ones know that you’re not neglecting them, you just need a few weeks to get your head under the table.
Accept offers of support when they come your way!
10. Keep in touch with your recruiter.
If you’ve worked with Public Practice Recruitment Ltd, you should know that we’re committed to your whole career and we’ll want to keep in touch periodically. So let us know how you’re getting on and we’ll do all that we can to continue to support you.
Remember, at Public Practice Recruitment Ltd we’re invested in your professional development from start to finish and we’re proud to have recently placed Partners who we were also placing in junior roles a decade ago!
To work with the niche recruiters who truly understand practice recruitment and the challenges accountants can expect and the rewards they should demand, contact us today. We’d be delighted to see you through to that first day in your new job!
