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It all starts with a, which guides you through each step of getting a job in English, from writing a CV right up to your first day.
Hello and welcome to Learning English for Work from BBC Learning English and our series all about job applications.
I'm Phil.
And I'm Pippa.
If you've missed the series so far, catch up in your podcast app or head to our website bbclearningenglishcom, where you'll also find a transcript for this episode.
Today we're talking about the final step in the journey of getting a new job, and that's starting work on your first day.
So we've worked through all the stages of a job application, from CVs to interviews to accepting an offer.
Now let's imagine we've got a new job and we want to make a good impression.
Phil, do you remember your first day working at BBC Learning English?
I do.
It was quite a long time ago, but I do.
First days are funny because you often come in with lots of enthusiasm.
It's a job that you want to do.
And then you meet loads and loads of new people who you find it hard to remember straight afterwards.
And you often have lots of information.
It's often like processes and procedures and things.
And it can all be a little bit bewildering sometimes.
Yeah, it can be quite overwhelming.
And also it can feel like you're not really working because you're just trying to learn everyone's name and then how to log into your computer or whatever you're doing.
So I think having an expectation that the first day is going to be a bit strange is probably a good place to start.
Throughout this series, we've been hearing from Amy Evans, who works in recruitment for the BBC World Service, to guide us through the job application process.
And Amy's big tip for your first day?
Don't be afraid to ask lots and lots of questions.
People know you're going to be nervous and they know it's your first day and you're having to learn a lot of stuff.
Yeah, so this is the strange thing.
People are really nervous about their first day and making a good impression.
But actually, nobody expects you to start as an expert.
Even if you're really experienced, you have to get to know how things work at this company, where everything is what time lunch is.
There's almost no stupid question.
Don't be afraid to take notes on processes and things that you're learning.
You're not going to be expected to remember absolutely everything they tell you on day one.
But if you've taken notes, then hopefully you can start to feel a bit more confident.
You'll get to know colleagues over your first few weeks, but Amy says, try to meet people as early as possible.
Try and introduce yourself to the people that are around you, or ask your manager if they can sort of take you around and introduce you.
Try and be calm and enjoy the day and everyone knows you're going to be nervous on your first day, but sort of try and see it as exciting as well and enjoy meeting everyone and sort of taking on what you've got to do.
It'll be different depending on the company you work in, but you usually won't be expected to do much work when you start a new job.
There's lots of training and learning.
You can also try to use this time to work out more about the company and the culture.
That's what we call the way people interact at work.
If people are friendly, you could ask to have lunch or a coffee together, if that's the sort of thing that people do at your job.
Just try to enjoy it.
I think you just want to try and look positive and enthusiastic when you get there.
So I guess yeah, it's just sort of trying to make a positive first impression rather than going and sort of not looking particularly happy or anything about being there.
So, as we said at the start of the programme, your first day can feel really awkward and you can be really nervous.
But actually, it's just good to be friendly and try and meet people and learn as much as you can.
Yes, and also a really good idea to make notes.
You're going to get lots of information probably, so it's a good idea to write it down or record it somehow so you can refer back to it, because there's probably going to be a lot of things to remember.
Yeah, that can help you stop feeling overwhelmed by the first day because you've got something that you're creating and you're feeling like all of that information you can carry forwards and you'll be able to use it later.
That's it for this episode and for our series on job applications.
We'd love to hear your top tips for job applications.
Email us on learning.english at bbc.co.uk.
We'll be back with more programmes to help you with your English at work soon.
Or why not try our news podcast, Learning English from the News.
To learn language from the headlines and how to talk about the biggest stories in English.
Search Learning English from the News on your podcast app.
Bye for now.
Bye.
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