Starting a new engineering or technical contracting job?  It’s so important to make a good first impression in a new contract as it may be a great reference for other opportunities or it may even lead to a permanent job offer.  Here're 7 top tips to ensure your first week goes smoothly and you impress your Production Manager.

1. Check the dress code
Before your first day, make sure you know what you’re expected to wear.  This will help to make you feel prepared for the job and can increase your confidence.  It’s also worth checking if you need to bring any tools or boots. 

2. Don’t be late!

This may seem self-explanatory, but it’s very important to make sure you’re not late on your first day.  It appears unorganised and gives the employer a bad impression of you. Aim to arrive approximately 10 minutes early, this gives you a bit of time to spare if you have transport issues and it will also impress your new employer.

3. Organise your travel early

This will help to ensure you arrive on time and not stressed.  Figure out in plenty of time how you’re going to get to work and make sure it’s a reliable source of transport.  If you’re using public transport, make sure you have researched your route and have a copy of timetables on hand in case of any issues.  It may also be useful to search the location on Google Maps first, so you know where you’re going or use Google Maps onto your phone.

4. Know who you need to report to

Make sure you read any information you are sent beforehand carefully, so you know who you need to ask for when you arrive.  If you’ve got the temporary job through a recruitment consultancy - make sure you listen to their information and advice. You may want to print off a copy of the information or write down / put it in your phone for reference. 

5. Do your research

If you haven’t done this already, you might find it useful to look up the company you’re working for.  Have a quick look at their website just to get a general idea of what the company does. It’s worth noting if you’ve done anything similar in the past.  You could also look at the company history if they have been taken over by another company?  If the name has changed?  What other projects they have done?  This knowledge will help to give you an idea what you might be doing and break the ice with your new co-workers.

6. Be prepared for any issues

If you have issues on your first few days, or can’t come into work, make sure you contact either your recruitment consultant or your site line manager to inform them of your situation.  If you don’t contact anyone and don’t turn up on your first day you will be making not only a bad impression, it will affect your future opportunities with the company and other employers.  Similarly, if you have accepted a job offer, and the job is not what you expected, you should talk to your Production Manager or your recruitment consultant to inform them of any issues, so they can work with you to resolve as quickly as possible. 

7. Get on with the actual job!

You have been hired to do a specific job, the best way to impress your new employer is to get on with it.  Work efficiently and pay attention to what’s happening around you.  By doing a great job and working to the best of your ability, your employer will see you’re working hard and be impressed with your efforts.

Combining good nights sleep together with these 7 proven tips, you will have a calm and prepared first few days which will impress not only the consultancy you are working on behalf of, but also your temporary employer. Who knows they may decide to offer you a permanent role.

Looking to hire contractors? Click here for more information right now 

Fancy a chat with one of our engineering team? Call Sharon or Chris on 0116 254 5411 or email hello@precision-people.uk 

Take a look at all our latest engineering jobs and sign up for personalised emails - quick and easy.