First Impressions: A Blueprint for Successful Job Starts

Something I commonly speak to both clients and candidates about is colleague attrition, failed temp to perm / perm placements and how to reduce this.

While many candidates can interview well, have the correct experience on their CV many falls victim to a lack of proactive behaviour and ultimately set themselves up to fail.

Typically, blue collar roles such as warehouse workers are labelled more with common first day failures such as planning their route to their new role and ensuring they have funds to cover transport costs for an agreed start date.

Failure to make a good impression or failing to show for the first day often leads to a breakdown in the placement and while sometimes candidates can view a client’s decision to cancel their assessment as harsh many see such avoidable issues as a lack of common sense.

I recently was conducting site tours on behalf of a manufacturing company based in Essex and had one of the candidates booked fail to arrive. When I called them to find out if they were having trouble finding the site, they explained they were still 30 minutes away and were still on the train. The candidate advised of delays on the line and after checking the trainline app for live trains and seeing no genuine delays I decided to start the site tour without this candidate and advised them to head home.

As a recruiter there is always an element of coaching and information I give to candidates, I also call them to check and confirm they have both received and read everything send to them to review.

While nothing is fool proof, I do try to secure the best possible outcome when presenting candidates for both immediate starts and interviews.

As part of our booking confirmations and coaching I speak to staff about tips for “How to Start a new Job Successfully.”

I split these in to three categories.

Preparation:

1. Where possible, test run your first day.
2. If not possible, use tools like Google Street Views, maps, traffic and travel apps to plan your route.
3. Ensure multiple alarms are set to avoid oversleeping.
4. Have enough funds for transportation.
5. Establish a transport contingency plan.

Personal Readiness:

1. Notify of any planned holidays or appointments.
2. Dress appropriately; prepare work clothes and inspect PPE.
3. Pack your bag with food and spare clothing for outdoor roles.
4. Introduce yourself and build rapport with colleagues from day one.
5. Ask questions, show eagerness, and engage with training colleagues.
6. Be dependable, responsible, and arrive on time.
7. Sign in/clock in daily following the client's hours processes.
8. Conduct research on the company and the team.

Professional Conduct:

1. Take responsibility for your actions and behaviours.
2. Maintain a positive can-do approach.
3. Be cooperative and work well with others.
4. Keep a good standard of personal hygiene.

Sometimes too much information can become a blur, I do feel giving candidates as many tools to make that first impression is key.

Embarking on a new job journey is a significant step, and by mastering the art of the first impression, candidates can navigate potential pitfalls.

Colleague attrition and placement breakdowns are often the result of avoidable missteps, especially in blue-collar roles. Through thorough preparation, personal readiness, and professional conduct, job seekers can lay the foundation for success from day one.

 As a recruiter, my commitment is to equip candidates with the tools needed for seamless transitions. Remember, it's not just about common sense—it's about strategic planning and a positive mindset that can shape a promising professional future.