First-day jitters? Congratulations! You’ve conquered one of the hardest parts of transitioning out of the military – finding a job. It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, weird, and packed with possibilities. Whichever camp you’re in (maybe all of them?), it’s worth planning ahead.
Your first week is a prime time to get acclimatized. From deciphering the office lingo to finding out who to avoid, here are some tips to help you navigate your first week on civvy street.
Take Notes
There will be a lot to remember. No matter how good your recollection skills, it will be difficult to hold everything up in your head at once. Remember to take notes, and if there’s any supporting material, make sure to give it a read.
You’ll probably be supplied with the bulk of reading material during the onboarding/orienteering process, and even if it seems like a nightmarish bureaucratic fever dream, it’s always worth revisiting. You’ll likely be given a point of contact (probably a Human Resources representative), who you can ask if you need a refresher on any info.
Avoid the Water Cooler Scandals
Gossiping is a fairly reliable way to make yourself very unpopular, very quickly. It’s best to avoid the latest scandals, at least until you’ve got a better sense of who’s who and what’s what. Not all gossip is harmful (even if it’s treated that way), but it’s important to start your time off the right way.
Try and avoid rushing into friendships as well. Like the military, civilian working life is home to plenty of cliques,
Make Yourself Approachable
First impressions definitely matter, so it’s important to make yourself approachable. This can be tough if you're nervous, but try and avoid closed body language, slouching (not that a veteran would slouch), and keeping your head down. Here’s a good article from Verywell Mind that you might find useful: Approachability.
Cut yourself some slack too! People will know it’s your first day, and they’ll understand if you’ve got some first-week nerves.
Learning the Systems
One of the steepest parts of the learning curve is working out how to use internal systems. Whether that’s the customer management database, the communication tools (Google Meet, Teams, Zoom, etc.), or the asset database, it can feel like information overload when you first start. This is normal! You shouldn’t be expected to know everything straight away.
It's okay to ask questions – the best leaders encourage them. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the new tools, and if they’re completely alien to you after a few weeks, book some one-on-one time with someone who can shed some light.
Stick to the Timetable
It can be tempting to work later and start earlier – veterans are no strangers to sticking around until the objective is complete, but it’s not quite the same dynamic in the civilian workplace.
Long hours are synonymous with sectors like law and finance, although this paradigm is changing, and you shouldn’t be expected to put in extra hours (certainly not in your first few weeks).
Join a Community
You’re not alone – the route to civvy street is a well-trodden path, and while this might not make the journey seem any easier at the time, it’s important to note that your fellow veterans are out there, and many of them will have valuable advice to help you settle into your new role.
Whether you join an internal community (it doesn’t need to be veteran-specific!) or you decide to sign up for an online platform, growing your network can help you develop a stronger sense of belonging.
Ex-Military Careers Can Help
We know first-hand how tough it can be to manage a career on civvy street, let alone land one in the first place. If you need support from our specialist consultants, reach out to the team at Ex-Military Careers today – we’re here to help.
