Starting a new job

Everyone gets anxious about beginning a new job. If you have never worked before, you probably don’t know what to expect.

Plan for your first day

Make sure you know where to go, your starting time, and which entrance to use.
Don’t be late!
Make sure you know who you should report to.
Check on lunch arrangements – in case you have to take a packed lunch.
Check the dress code for your workplace.
Look out anything that you have been asked to take with you e.g. National Insurance number, bank details.

The First Day

Your first day may be different from your normal working routine. There may be forms to fill in there may be lots of new people to meet and a lot to remember.

Don't panic! Remember:

No-one expects you to know everything at once.
It is good to ask questions if you are unsure of things as it shows you are keen and enthusiastic.

Induction

You will be introduced to people, places and systems in your new job. This may be done on the first day or over a period of a few days or weeks, depending on your job and employer.

You should be told about the following when you start a new job:

What to do if you are going to be late or off sick.
How you will be paid.
Breaks and holidays you will be given.
Health and Safety - this will cover everything from what to do in case of a fire, to how to do your own job without putting your health (or anyone else's) at risk.
Line management - who will be supervising and managing your work.

The First Week

You will be:

settling into the routine of your work
getting to know people
learning new skills
starting to feel part of the team
getting a more realistic idea of what the job is really like

Contract

You are entitled to a written contract of employment when you start work.

This should include details of:

your duties
the number of hours you will work
how much you will get paid
what holidays you will get
the amount of notice you must give (or your employer must give you) if you are leaving the job

Check what is written in your contract before you sign it. If you’re not sure of anything ask someone.

Money matters

When you start a new job you:

will need your National Insurance number (and your P45 if you have worked before).
may have to work 'lying time' which means you do not get paid until the end of your second week. You will get it back if you leave that job.
will get a pay slip with your first wage showing what your pay is and how much you have paid in tax and National Insurance.

Where to get Help

Your local Careers Scotland Centre - 0845 8 502502
Citizens Advice Bureaux - see local telephone directory
Minimum Wage Helpline - 0845 6000 678
National Insurance Helpline - 0845 6050 002
Equal Opportunities Commission - 0845 6015 901
Commission for Racial Equality - 0131 524 2000
Scottish Trades Union Congress - 0141 337 8100
Young Scot Legal Advice Line - 0800 11 12 13

The first few months

Once you have got through the first few months you will feel more settled. You may want to start thinking about where you would like to be in a year. You could work towards this by:

improving your qualifications at work
taking on more responsibility when you get the chance
using the skills and training gained in your present job to apply for a more challenging job

Leaving work

At some point you may move on from your present job. There may be different reasons:

Promotion

You may want a more challenging job within the same company or elsewhere.

Different type of work

You may have decided that the type of work you have been doing does not suit you. It is a good idea to discuss alternatives with your Careers adviser.

Being Paid off

Sometimes you may be asked to leave a job. This could be because of your timekeeping and attendance. Your job may have been a temporary one or your employer may not have enough work for you.

Whatever the reason, don't take the easy way out. Some people just walk out or stop coming to work without contacting their employer. Don't do this, it causes more problems in the long run. Do it properly!

You will normally have to give a period of notice, at least a week, sometimes a month.
You will need a reference for your next job, so try to leave with this in mind.
Return anything that does not belong to you, for example, uniforms or tools.
Check any entitlements, such as holidays and holiday pay and make sure you are paid for the 'lying time' the week after your job ends.
Try to plan ahead if you are leaving a job. Look for another one first.
Discuss with your Careers Adviser what options you have. There may be more than you think!