Whether you’re preparing for your first day as a trainee or switching to a new role, employers share their top tips for making sure everything goes smoothly.
- Make a good first impression: dress professionally and appropriately, and plan your commute in advance. Whatever you do, don’t be late!
- Take notes: you’ll be bombarded with information in the first weeks. A good old-fashioned pad and pen sends a clear signal that you’re interested and engaged.
- Be curious: ask lots of questions (but not the same ones over and over again). Show genuine interest, and always remember to thank people for their time.
- Listen more than you talk: the saying goes that you have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Be a sponge and soak up as much as you can.
- Know the expectations of your employer: from simple things like the dress code to professional conduct. Now is not the time to challenge how things are done.
- Be professional: honesty and integrity are essential, so demonstrate them from day one. Beware of what your social media presence may say about you.
- Build new relationships organically: avoid gossip and overt nosiness, but be open to engaging with others on a personal level. And smile, smile, smile!
- Find your support system: there will be highs and lows, so use the people around you, whether that’s family and friends or your fellow trainees.
- Don’t work too hard: at the end of the day it’s just a job. Give 100% during working hours, then go home and enjoy the life bit of your work-life balance.
- Be authentic: while you want to make a good first impression, it shouldn’t be at the expense of who you are. Give people a chance to get to know the real you.
If you are preparing to become an ICAEW student, we have a range of ‘Getting started’ resources available for ICAEW CFAB and ACA.