The first day on a new job is nerve-wracking for everyone. The unfamiliar setting, meeting new people, and figuring out the workplace dynamics are an overload on the senses. But with proper preparation and these tips, you might just make it through your first day a champ.
1. Prep the night before
Pick out your go-to favorite outfit, make sure it’s ironed so you look presentable. Pack a notebook and pen, and some light snacks to get you through reading the HR onboarding material.
2. Get a good night’s rest
As much as you want to celebrate your employment status, take a rain check on that night out with your friends and hit the sack early to look fresh and ready to go.
3. Plan to be early, really early
Aim to get to the office at least 30 minutes before you’re supposed to. Rush hour traffic and the morning commute are pretty unpredictable. Giving yourself this buffer means you’re not arriving to work in a sweat and you’ll be able to account for any transport delays.
4. Join in the lunchtime chatter
Most companies have a tradition of taking new employees out for lunch on their first day, so save the packed lunch for another day. It’s a great way to gauge the office dynamics and to get to know your team members on a more personal level.
5. Resist the urge to check your socials
In fact, put your phone on “do not disturb” mode for the whole day. You don’t need to be distracted by messages from friends asking you about your first day. If you find yourself with nothing to do, ask if you could get more reading information on your upcoming tasks and projects to get a head start.
6. Don’t rush out the door at the stroke of 6pm
Hang back a little to show your new colleagues that you’re not there to just clock in and out. Take this time to jot down some questions for the next day that have probably arisen after reading your onboarding materials and finding out more about your tasks.
With a bit of preparation, self-discipline and focus, you’ll be able to push through the nerves and ace your first day on the job. Once that’s done and dusted, check out our tips for navigating your new workplace!
Jason is a co-founder of TalentSpace, where he keeps himself up at night thinking of new and innovative ways to make recruiting an enjoyable and fruitful experience for everyone. He's worked on the international expansion of US-startups, Casper and HotelTonight (acquired by Airbnb), and was also on the Value Creation team of Google Chairman Eric Schmidt's VC, Innovation Endeavors. He graduated from Bocconi University.
