Start Smart on Your First Day
Your first day at a new Hollywood job can be intimidating. It’s your one opportunity to make a good first impression, kick-off new professional relationships, and set expectations for your work ethic, talent, and dedication.
Whether it’s your first day in a writers room, as a junior agent, a PA on set, or even as a senior executive for a major studio - certain principles of a ‘great first day’ are the same across the board.
Here are 7 tips to ‘start smart’ on your first day at a new Hollywood job:
1. Dress to impress “Hollywood style”.
Like it or not, your coworkers will start forming their opinions of you from the moment you walk in the door. How you walk, whether you’re smiling or nervous, and - what you look like. So, show up showered, nails trimmed, with a fresh haircut (trust me, a great haircut is worth investing in), dressed in clothes that meet your company’s dress code and that are job appropriate. For example, if you know you’re going to be running around all day - don’t wear heels; or, if you’re going to be in business meetings all day, wear the appropriate professional attire. When in doubt, take the conservative approach - blending in on your first day is never a bad thing. For more tips on how to dress to impress, check out the last tip in THIS post.
2. Be early. Always.
Arrive fifteen minutes early (probably 20-30 to factor in LA traffic). For one, being late on your first day is never a good look. Second, first days are stressful enough, being late will just add to your anxiety. Third, arriving early will give you that extra bit of time to mentally prepare and hit the ground running (i.e. figure out what to do and start working right away).
3. Learn people’s names and use them.
Whether you’re the lowest person on the totem pole, a showrunner, or overseeing a massive company - learning people’s names (and using them) makes a huge difference. It’s a simple thing that immediately shows your coworkers you’re considerate, respectful, and invested (and this means learning people’s names at all levels). If you have a hard time remembering names, try saying the person’s name out loud the moment you meet them. Or, if you really have trouble, after you meet someone - jot down their name with a memorable detail in your phone so you can commit it to memory later.
4. Be positive and enthusiastic.
First days always come with challenges. Do your best to meet them with positivity and enthusiasm (and whatever you do, don’t whine!). This is your first chance to show people you are reliable, full of solutions, and easy to be around. All that being said, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember, you’re new, you’re not expected to know everything. So just breathe and take things one step at a time… Oh, and never turn down lunch. If your new boss or a coworker invites you to lunch, always say yes. It’s important to show you’re eager to be a part of your new team. Ditto if you’re on Zoom and someone asks you for a virtual coffee.
5. Always be working.
Make it a first day rule to ‘never do nothing’. First days can be strange - some moments you’ll be trying to juggle a dozen new tasks at once. Other moments - you’ll be waiting for someone to give you direction on what to do next. In those ‘waiting periods’, whatever you do, don’t just sit there (and definitely do not pull out your phone and start scrolling). Look around you - is there a job to be done in your vicinity? Do you need to make notes on a task you just learned? Does your desk need to be organized? This kind of self-motivation shows initiative, attention to detail, and genuine care for your new work environment. Also, it won’t go unnoticed (the truth is, it doesn’t matter if you’re a junior assistant or the CEO someone is always watching).
6. Don’t gossip.
Hollywood is full of gossip. As tempting as it is, don’t add more juicy secrets to the mix (this town is smaller than you think, and you never know when it could come back to bite you). Make it a general rule to stay above any conflict.
7. If you don’t know how to do something ASK.
Even if it’s your first day in a leadership position, if you have a question - ASK.
Everyone knows you’re new, so no one’s going to judge you for not knowing how something works. Trust me, it’s better to put your ego aside and ask a question than to seriously screw something up. Also, being inquisitive shows you’re curious, have a desire to learn, and want to do this job well. PRO TIP: When you do get an answer to a question, don’t rely on memory, write everything down: names, passwords, directions, assigned tasks… it will help you look competent and confident in the future.
What are your best tips and tricks for the first day of a new Hollywood job? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!
For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:
For the ultimate guide to pitching a TV show that sells, check out my e-book, The Ultimate Guide to a Killer Pitch
To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.
For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.
And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).