There are many things to consider when starting a new job. Being properly prepared for your first day helps to ease anxiety and helps ensure you live up to your employer's expectations of you. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your first day of work and bring a more successful first day. Be on time and dress professionally Remember to do these two important things to make a successful first day—show up on time and dress professionally. To avoid being late on your first day, plan your commute ahead of time. Add extra time to make sure you’re on time. As for your clothing, it's not necessary to "dress to impress" every day, but you should look to make a great first impression on your first day. Dress professionally! Show interest in your co-workers Introduce yourself properly. A simple “Hi, my name is…nice to meet you” will do. It’s a great ice breaker. You don’t have to stop there, ask your new colleagues about their roles with the company or get advice as a new hire to the company. Showing genuine interest in your new team will help you build positive work relationships. Take some notes When starting a new job there will be new faces, and tons of new info. That first day of a new job can feel like information overload. A great strategy is to take notes of things that are important. Remembering names and important info about your role will help you make a great overall first impression. Be respectful and friendly It's normal to meet many new people on your first day of a new job, so be prepared to smile and introduce yourself. Try to treat everyone with equal respect. Most importantly, be friendly and try to maintain a positive attitude throughout your first day. Think of everything on your first day as a learning process, try to keep an open mind, and remind yourself that your new colleagues understand that it’s your first day.

The saying "who you work with can make or break your job" is widely recognized to be accurate. Positive co-workers can significantly contribute to a great work environment. To help create that positive atmosphere at the workplace, you want to make sure you’re during your part. To be a great co-worker, and be someone people would enjoy working with, follow these steps: Don’t gossip. Don’t gossip about others and never tell information that someone trusted you with. Don’t be bossy with your co-workers. Don’t act as if you’re in charge of your co-workers, especially if you’re not the manager. Don’t be lazy. Lazy co-workers can hold the whole team back. Everyone can have a bad day from time to time, but you want to try your best to be reliable and make sure you’re doing your part. Don’t be negative. If you’re going to be a cool co-worker, try not to be negative. Bring positivity to the workplace whenever you have the opportunity. No one wants to hear someone complain all the time. Try not to be that person!

Most workplaces are considered a social environment, but you must realize that what you discuss in the workplace can have an impact on your career. People who say too much about themselves or others can be viewed negatively. Here are some things to never share or discuss with your co-workers. Salary information. What you earn should only be between you and your boss. Gossip. It’s not a professional look. Remember, if someone is gossiping around you, they’ll most likely gossip about you as well. Medial history. Most people don’t want to hear details about your aches and pains. Try to keep it to a minimum, discussing it too much can make you seem like a high-risk employee. Personal life. Don’t share too many details about your personal life. Co-workers can use what you share with them against you. Off-color jokes or comments. Never assume your co-workers won’t be offended. It’s best to keep it clean, for a more positive working environment

Whether you’re already in the middle of a job search or about to launch a new search, being strategic and informed can greatly increase your chances of landing the job. Make sure your objectives are clear. You don’t want to waste time applying for positions that don’t align with your career goals. Only consider roles that match your skills and career path. Customize your resume and cover letter. Don’t send generic, one-size-fits-all resumes or cover letters. Employers will question your efforts. Take the time to tailor your resume and cover letter to the job you’re applying for. Customize your resume in a way that shows the employer that you’re an ideal fit for the position. Work on your references. Employers normally seek external validation to confirm that the abilities and professionalism on your resume are valid. Make sure you have reliable references who are prepared to vouch for you. Before an interview make sure to invest time on the company’s website. Familiarize yourself with the company’s history, mission statement, and values. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses to interview questions and show that you've done your research and understand what the company is looking for. It also shows that you’re genuinely excited to be a part of their team!

Sometimes in our professional life we may encounter difficult people. For some people, these encounters can drain energy and negatively affect work productivity. Most agree, difficult people aren’t much fun to be around, especially in the workplace. While it’s tempting to simply avoid these individuals, the reality is that we can’t always control our workplace encounters. The one thing we can control is how we decide to respond to difficult people. Create some boundaries. Don’t feel obligated to be everyone’s friend at work. Stick to work related conversations and limit interactions with difficult people whenever possible. Take breaks at work. Step away from your desk or take a quick walk. Short breaks can help you keep things calm. Don’t take it personally. Negativity in any form can be easy to internalize. Don’t do it, choose to stay positive!

It’s generally important to dress comfortably in the workplace, it helps with focus and productivity. It’s also important to dress professionally at work because it can positively influence your interactions with coworkers, clients, and managers. Additionally, it demonstrates that you take your job seriously and shows that you respect your workplace. It also shows you care about how customers perceive your organization. Here are some tips for dressing more comfortably and professionally at work. Cover visible tattoos if possible. Don’t wear body or facial piercings. Avoid distracting jewelry. Avoid too-tight or too-loose attire. Avoid clothes that are too revealing. Avoid strong perfumes or don’t wear any. Always consider the message your outfit is sending before wearing it. The key is to dress comfortably and professionally; it can reduce stress levels and promote a more positive work environment!

A recent poll found that 46% of respondents left their jobs because they didn’t feel appreciated. Most employees don’t need constant applause, but the poll shows that people need recognition for their hard work from time to time. Recognition of excellent work is a great motivator; it encourages employees to give their best. If your great work consistently goes unnoticed, it could be time to update your resume. A mental health survey found that 40% of employers consider mental wellness a key factor in their productivity and performance. So, if you’re burning out and constantly stressed after your workday, it might be time to make a change. Burnout can also come from repetitive and predictable workdays. While some individuals may find repetitive tasks to be suitable due to their desire for a simple workday, others may find it frustrating. If you’re bored of your repetitive and predictable job role and the company isn’t open to you taking on new tasks, it might be time for a change.

When applying for your next job, you may wonder, “what are interviewers looking for during the interview?” Getting an understanding of what employers want to hear from you is a great first step in preparing for your interview. One of the most common things employers want to know is that you have the right skills to take on the specific challenges of the job. Employers want to confirm that your past work experience relates to the role you’re applying for. This is your chance to emphasize your abilities and show that your skills make you a great fit. Employers use the interview to get to know the candidate behind the resume. While they’re asking you questions, they’re looking to see if you can fit into their company culture. Be prepared to answer questions about the company you’re applying to. Employers want to see that you’ve done your research, this shows them that you have initiative and that you’re the right person for the job!

● Job Security: The demand for skilled trade jobs is expected to remain strong, mainly because they provide essential services for our daily lives. While other industries may be subject to technological advancements and the latest trends, the demand for skilled trade workers remains consistent. That means you never have to worry about your career becoming obsolete. ● Competitive Salary: Most tradespeople can earn above the average salary among US employees, and some trades earn significantly more than others. Some of the higher-paying trade jobs include construction managers, elevator mechanics, and dental hygienists. The increased demand for more trade workers and the need for those with advanced skills means the pay should continue to increase. ● Diverse Opportunities: Trade jobs offer a variety of opportunities that cover many different types of industries. For you, that means there’s a wide range of career paths to choose from. Whether you want to work in manufacturing, construction, transportation, even renewable energy, there are going to be plenty of jobs available to match your interests!