How do I make a good impression at my new job?

Starting a new job in your twenties feels a lot like being dropped into a foreign country without knowing the language.

You want to impress people, you want to look like you belong, and you definitely do not want to be the new guy who looks lost.

I remember walking into my first job after college thinking, am I doing any of this right. I had no idea what actually mattered and what didn’t. But over the past year, I figured out a few things that completely changed the way I show up, how people perceive me, and how confident I feel in the office.

That early-career anxiety is incredibly common. It is the same feeling I talk about in How Do I Build Real Confidence When You Feel Behind, because most guys are not lacking ability. They are lacking context.

If you want to make a strong impression at your new job, these are the habits that actually matter.

Start strong the moment you walk in

The first impression you make every morning is silent. It is how you walk through the door.

I said this in the episode because it changed everything for me:

“You truly never know who you’re going to see right when you walk in.”

That is why I take my AirPods out before I enter the building. When you walk in with your head up, not on your phone, and ready to say hi, you come across as present and confident. People notice that.

This lines up with what leadership experts consistently say about visibility and approachability. Harvard Business Review has written about how presence and nonverbal cues shape workplace perception far more than people realize Harvard Business Review on first impressions at work.

Small, consistent habits like this build your entire reputation.

Look like someone who wants to be there

You never need to dress up in a suit, but you should look put together. Not for the optics. For the mindset.

I told the story in the episode about the day I bent down to grab a LaCroix and the CEO was standing right there when I closed the fridge. Luckily I looked decent, and that made me feel better in that moment.

That is why I lay out my clothes the night before. And the reason is simple:

“This small act sets your mindset for the next day before it has even begun.”

Looking presentable is your first win of the day. And confidence stacks from there.

If you struggle with feeling behind or out of place in professional settings, this connects directly to How Do I Feel Confident at Work When I Don't Feel It? because confidence often starts with preparation, not personality.

Be approachable, not closed off

A good impression is not about being the loudest person in the room. It is about being the easiest person to talk to.

In the episode I said the simplest truth about showing up well:

“Just being present and not blocked off.”

That means taking your headphones out in shared spaces. Putting your phone away in the kitchen. Saying hi even when it feels repetitive. You do not have to be interesting. You just have to be available.

People remember who makes them feel comfortable.

Psychologists consistently note that approachability is one of the strongest predictors of workplace likability and trust. Psychology Today has covered how small signals of openness shape relationships at work Psychology Today on approachability.

Use the coffee chat mentality

If you want to stand out early, get good at talking to people you do not know yet.
Not in a fake networking way. In a real human way.

I explained exactly how I do this in my first job. The questions I ask are simple:

• What do you like about working here

• What is something you would change

• What are you working on right now

• Explain your role as if you were explaining it to an old person

That last one always gets a laugh. And feeling comfortable around someone is the fastest way to make a good impression.

This is why informal coffee chats are recommended so often for early career growth. LinkedIn consistently highlights casual conversations as one of the most effective ways to build relationships at work LinkedIn on coffee chats and career growth.

A confident person is curious. A curious person asks good questions.

Tell a clean, simple story about yourself

People will ask you who you are and how you got there. Have a two minute version of your story ready. Not a brag. Not a pitch. Just clarity.

Something like:

I interned at X. I realized I liked Y. That led me to this job because I wanted to work more on Z.

It helps people understand how to work with you. And it makes you look thoughtful and self aware.

This same principle applies outside of work too, which is why I broke it down in How To Introduce Yourself Without Feeling Awkward.

Follow up after conversations

One of the most underrated ways to make a good impression is following up after a meeting or a coffee chat.

A quick thank you message goes a long way. Something personal you learned from the conversation. A simple note that you appreciated their time.

And yes, connect on LinkedIn. There is nothing cringe about that.

“You truly never know what can come from that connection years down the road.”

Being remembered is a strategy. Most new hires do not do this. You will.

Build a routine that supports the version of yourself you want to bring to work

Your days will feel chaotic at first. Mine absolutely did. I said it directly:

“All the things you have to get done or want to do on top of a nine to five job still stress me out.”

The key to looking calm and confident is picking one habit and sticking to it.
For me, that habit was working out in the morning. It completely changed my focus and my mental clarity.

When you feel good, people feel that energy from you.

If your routine feels nonexistent, this pairs well with What To Do When You Feel Stuck, because structure is often the missing piece.

Ask questions even when you feel dumb

This is the number one confidence skill in your first year.
Most people are afraid to ask questions because they think it makes them look inexperienced.
But the opposite is true.

“Realistically, you start off not knowing anything and the only way you’re going to know something is if you ask.”

Asking questions shows you care. It shows you are engaged.
And someone else in the room probably wanted to ask the same thing anyway.

The fastest learners rise the quickest.

Be the person who gets things done

Your reputation is built on what you actually do, not what you talk about.
You said in the episode that there are always people who point out problems instead of solving them.

Do not be that person.
If something needs to get done, do it. Quietly. Consistently.

People notice the guy who takes action. Every company values that person.

FAQ: What Guys Actually Ask About Making a Good Impression

How do I seem confident when I feel nervous?
Show up present, make eye contact, take out your AirPods, and say hi first. Confidence is a behavior before it is a feeling.

What should I wear on my first week?
Something clean, simple, and intentional. Being put together is an easy win.

How do I talk to coworkers without being awkward?
Ask simple, open questions. People love talking about what they do.

How do I avoid looking like I have no idea what I’m doing?
Ask questions early. Pretending hurts you more than asking.

What makes someone stand out in their first month?
Following up, taking initiative, being reliable, showing effort, and being genuinely curious.