When a new employee is hired, it is highly likely that after the first few days on the job, the owner or someone from management is going to ask a simple question of a shop supervisor. “So, how is the new employee working out?”
The answer given is very important. It usually doesn’t take long for a supervisor to form an opinion on a new employee. With that in mind, I’ve made a list of dos and don’ts to help get things started on the right foot.
Do…
· Show up 10-15 minutes prior to your shift.
· Pay close attention to everything you are being told.
· Follow shop rules and instructions EXACTLY as they were told to you.
· Bring a notebook to keep notes on items you are being trained on.
· Be at your machine throughout your shift.
· When being instructed on matters such as loading a part, inspecting a part, or any other type of knowledge your new employer is trying to impart to you; answer with “Ok, yes or I will”. Try to refrain from saying “I know”. It makes you come off as someone who thinks they don’t need any training or a “know it all”.
· Ask questions if you are unsure of anything.
· Smile and be pleasant.
Don’t…
· Ask when you will be trained on a new part or job.
· Ask if you can work overtime week one.
· Be a know it all or tell everyone “how things were done” at the last placed you worked (No one really cares).
· Claim to know more than you really do.
· Ask when you can move to first shift, when you were just hired for second or third.
