"You only get one chance to make a first impression on a new employee."

Notable Moments

00:00:03 – First-day excitement turns to confusion
00:01:35 – Discovering the "first impression" sign
00:03:12 – Heroic CPR efforts by Ranger Jalali
00:04:42 – Realization: Park ranger work is serious
00:05:25 – Reflecting on initial impressions
00:06:15 – Jack Hart's personal tour and guidance
00:05:59 – Importance of engagement beyond manuals
00:04:11 – Understanding the deeper commitment required

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When I think about the importance of first impressions, I can't help but go back to my first day as a park ranger. I had landed my dream job, excited to begin this new chapter. But after a morning staff meeting and a stack of yellow binders filled with safety policies, I found myself alone—completely abandoned as every ranger ran out of the building and sped off.

I wandered through the empty ranger station, unsure of what was happening, and paused in front of a mirror where a sign, placed by my park manager Jack Hart, read: "You only get one chance to make a first impression." The timing of that realization was uncanny.

Later, I learned that the staff had responded to a tragic incident at the Spokane River, where Ranger Jeremy Jalali performed CPR for nearly 15 minutes after sprinting across rugged terrain to reach the scene. It was a stark reminder that being a park ranger was about more than nature walks and helping lost kids. It was about preparation, dedication, and service.

A couple of weeks after that intense first day, Jack Hart personally took time to show me around the park, explaining procedures and sharing stories about the staff. That moment stuck with me. His actions went beyond a typical first-day orientation. They made me feel like I was part of something bigger.

How you handle the first day for a new employee will go a long way with shaping their attitude about your organization. What do you want them to know? What do you want them to feel? Design your new employee's first day to answer those first two questions.

When welcoming new employees, we often focus on the paperwork, procedures, and policies. But what impression are we really leaving? The lasting impact comes from moments that show them they belong and that their work matters.

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