First day at new job, how to step on a career ladder

[lovemynathy]

Hi, I have my first day at my new job tomorrow. It is not the best job in the world, but in the place I want to build my career. I start as a barman. I would like to become a manage or HR in that company. Any advice on how to behave, what to do..... Thank you. Just to add I am very shy by nature but would like to change it. This position suits me very well at present as I can care about my baby without any additional help. I was HR before my maternity leave with another company.

[Wishiwasanheiress]

Well I'd suggest being simply as nice as possible. Remember names. Get the people side right and all options stay open. No one moves up that people can't stand. All the roles mentioned are relationship based so start those now. It's a new firm. No one knows ur shy! So while I don't suggest a personality over haul u could make a concerted effort here and people would be impressed and assume it is actually u - iykwim?

Also the other bit all firms want to get right is new starter training. Invariably it's pants. Pay attention now as to what ur shown and how objectively. Then see how it translates to the role. Then in a couple of months mention suggestions to improve or change.

[Wishiwasanheiress]

Forgot! Good luck :) x

[slightlysoupstained]

Lots of good advice from Wishiwasanheiress.

One tip: if you're normally very shy, you're probably used to people trying to coax you out a bit, & being maybe extra reassuring. (At least if you've worked with nice people.)

If you go into somewhere else and act a bit more confident & outgoing then people will treat you as if you are - which is good, but if you're used to getting extra reassurance then it might feel like you must be doing something wrong at first because people won't be doing that (cos they don't think you need it!) You're not doing anything wrong, just trust yourself & keep going till you get used to the newness.

(You would be amazed how many apparently super-confident people are actually quaking inside!)

[scottishmummy]

Good luck,take wee notebook that fits pocket write stuff down,read back later
Enthusiasm,drive will take you far,I know many started in catering/bar went into management
Be yourself,be natural,and you've been chisenforthe potential you clearly have

[Xenia]

Turn up on time indeed early. Be utterly reliable. Smile. Make people like you. Look at people who are more senior to you and whose jobs eventually you might like and see how they are and how they behave and try to find out how they obtained promotion (married the boss or did an MBA or were just plain good at the job and never off sick or whatever). Comply with your employment contract.