My unexpected first day
Yesterday, I was whiny. In fact, I was probably being quite annoying to everyone around me. My start date at the new gig got delayed due to a slow background check and I was anxious to get confirmation that I could start on Tuesday. However, when 6 pm came around and I hadn’t heard anything, I figured that I wouldn’t be starting until at least Wednesday.
So imagine my surprise when I was woken up at 7:45 am (sleeping in is fun) by the agency letting me know they wanted me to start this morning, in like, 15 minutes. Yeah, no. Luckily, I live close and let them know that I could make it in by 9 am.
I get there, before 9 I might add, and walked in super excited. I set the metal detector off but the guy waved me through so I’m assuming I had an honest face. I walked up to the receptionist desk and found out that even though I was in the system as coming in, they didn’t have the contact information to let anyone on my new team know I was there. Sigh. At least the receptionists liked me and where joking with me. 20 minutes later and a couple of calls to the agency later I was happily on my way in. It finally feels real.
The team seems fun, collaborative, and nice. The work seems interesting and I anticipate gaining a lot of fun stories from it. The corporate headquarters is like a mini city, cool, and a little overwhelming. I’ve worked for big companies before, but never with that many people in one location. Despite a rocky start, I’m uber excited and happy that I will be able to keep my pets in the life they have grown accustomed to. Dog treats and catnip aren’t free you know.
February 17th, 2009 saat: 7:16 pm
What, 15 minutes isn’t enough advance notice to start a brand new job and make that all-important first impression? Honestly, you young’uns. Why, back in my day, we had to walk uphill in a blizzard both ways to get to our new job, and get docked three days pay because they decided we should have started working last week, and we LIKED it! Grumble, grumble, git offa my lawn…
BTW, congrats on the new gig!
February 17th, 2009 saat: 7:41 pm
What a rollercoaster first day! If day 1 is any indication, the good stories are gonna roll in!
Congrats!
February 17th, 2009 saat: 7:52 pm
I love a classic ‘don’t do this’ new hire onboarding story. At least they didn’t make you sit in the lobby for two hours because no one knew you were showing up (happened to me once). Best of luck in the new gig.
February 18th, 2009 saat: 10:24 am
I’m not sure what your new gig is, but my first order of business if I were you would probably be to completely overhaul what sounds like an incredibly shitty onboarding process. Congrats and good luck!
February 18th, 2009 saat: 4:59 pm
Aww. The last thing you want is a first day filled with this kind of stuff. I hope it all works out.
February 18th, 2009 saat: 9:50 pm
Perrik – Nice “get off my lawn” addition! LOL!
HR Good Witch – Thanks, I’ll try!
Steve – 2 hours?! I’m surprised you didn’t leave. Not the best first impression.
Chris – Thanks! I wish I could overhaul the onboarding, that would be fun.
Rachel – I hope so too!