Starting your first proper week at work might be super exciting for you – or it might be filling you with fear and anxiety. Either way, we’ve put together some useful tips to help you settle into your new job and make the most of your first week at work, all the while remaining true to who you are…

The world of work might feel a bit overwhelming at first, but once you find your feet, you’ll have some amazing experiences, meet loads of interesting new people, and start to hone in and develop your skillset. Your first week at work might launch you out of your comfort zone, but remember: the space outside your comfort zone becomes your comfort zone, if you are brave enough to step into it!

Starting a new job at any point in your life can be challenging – especially if it’s your first ever job! You might feel like you’ve crash landed on a weird alien planet – an exciting prospect, perhaps, but potentially also a little bit terrifying. 

Our advice? Make yourself at home! This weird alien planet is in fact just good old Planet Earth, and you have every right to be here and to be your authentic self – the latter of which is key to thriving in the workplace. This is a new beginning – a fresh start – and a chance to shine!

So, here are some of our top tips for your first week at work. Keep an eye out every week for more useful tips from us to help you blossom.

1. Introduce yourself
   Introducing yourself to new people might come easy to you, but for some people it can feel a bit daunting. The chances are that nobody here knows you yet, which gives you an opportunity to be exactly who you want to be. Introduce yourself, let people know your preferred pronouns (this is a really easy way to communicate how you identify and it’s likely that your new colleagues will be familiar with sharing pronouns), and share something about yourself. It’s not always fun to have to think of a “fun fact” on the spot, so maybe have a think beforehand and share something about yourself which will help people get to know you.
   
   
2. Get to know your new colleagues
   Getting to know new people is one of the most exciting parts of starting a new job. Make an effort to remember people’s names and invest time getting a feel for who everyone is. Remember that we all work very differently, and it can be useful to find out people’s working hours/patterns, communication style preferences, and it’s a good idea to let people know yours, too – a nice and easy way to set boundaries and expectations from the start and ensure that everyone’s needs are met.
   
   Get to know your manager and understand their role in supporting you at work. Your manager should be someone you go to for coaching and mentoring, who guides you and empowers you to be the best you can be, and who can help if you encounter any problems. The relationship between you should be open and honest and they should treat you fairly and equally to your colleagues. If you have any concerns around your new manager, there are things you can do and other people who can support you to deal with this, so don’t panic!
   
   
3. Get to know your work environment
   This can look very different for everyone, based on what type of job you are starting. One important thing to consider is whether you would benefit from a workplace adjustment. A workplace adjustment (also sometimes called a reasonable adjustment) are changes an employer makes to remove or reduce a disadvantage related to someone’s disability or circumstances. For example, it could be allowing flexibility in working hours, offering the option of working from home, or providing a quiet space for you to work in an office with adjusted lighting.
   
   Take the time to understand how your new environment works and what role you are expected to play in being part of it. Listen carefully to any information about health and safety and make sure you understand your responsibilities.
   
   Find out if your new workplace has an LGBTQ+ staff network and any other staff networks which you may wish to join. These are a great place to meet new people with shared experiences and find support!
   
   
4. Ask for help
   There is no such thing as a stupid question, especially in your first week at work! We all learn in our own way, but many of us learn through asking questions. Don’t be scared to ask as many questions as you need and communicate clearly to your manager if you are unsure of anything. We all make mistakes, and as long as you are honest when you make them, you should be supported by your manager and team to continuously learn and develop and learn from them.
   
   There is no shame in asking for help – in fact, you will most likely find that you will be praised for asking questions – especially thoughtful ones.
   
   
5. Come out, if you can
   Did you know that over 60% of LGBTQ+ graduates hide their identity when they enter the workforce? (research)
   
   We want to change this and support young LGBTQ+ people to blossom in the workplace. Coming out is always a brave thing to do, but it will help you stay true to yourself and build real, genuine relationships throughout your personal and working life. This is completely personal and up to you, and no one can ever force you. It’s also illegal for someone else to ‘out’ you.
   
   Your new workplace has a responsibility to support you to feel comfortable and safe in bringing your authentic self to work.
   
   
6. Take up space
   Taking up space might mean using your voice and speaking up for what you believe in, or using your voice to help others. Taking up space is about recognising your self-worth and that you deserve your seat at the table as much as everyone else. It’s about not making yourself smaller, or quieter, for others. By taking up space you will show people your strengths and attributes and people will naturally respect you and gravitate towards you. Don’t be afraid to use your voice, contribute new ideas, and challenge your colleagues when necessary.

How Blossom can help you

We are proud to offer a free mentoring scheme for young adults, from the entire LGBTQIA+ community, aged from 16 to 30, to support them to stay in or find full time education or employment. Our goal is to focus on increasing your chances of finding work that you care about. We do this through direct coaching, work experience, and group workshops. We also focus on providing you with holistic support which takes into account your entire person and identity. We think that this helps to increase your ability to enter work authentically and advocate for your needs as a proud intersectional person.

Find out more about our free mentorship scheme by clicking here. 

We also offer workshops on employability and life skills, internships and volunteer experience, and a social evening which you can get involved in by emailing info@blossom.lgbt.