After going through several selection processes, sending your CV to a number of companies and sitting interviews, it finally worked — and now you face the next challenge: your first day at work.
Doing something new for the first time always brings a little nervousness and anxiety, and knowing how to carry yourself on day one is a demanding task. Making a good impression from the start is fundamental to settling into a new environment.
So here are some tips to help take the edge off the nerves, make your first day a pleasant one, leave a good impression and settle into the new routine more easily.
Here they are:
1 - Prepare
Read up and research the company beforehand.
Something that helps your preparation further is getting to know the place where you are about to start. You may well sit through a few introductory sessions about the company on day one, but it is important to research the organisation before you even begin.
That way you will already be familiar with its history, culture and values, and the presentations will simply confirm what you have studied. You will also be able to focus on asking questions, with less new information to absorb all at once on day one. So do your reading first.
Through the company website, news sites and blogs, social media or other employees, get up to speed on the services it provides, its competitors, the technologies it uses and the challenges it is working on.
2 - Be punctual
Things go wrong: transport is delayed, the traffic is worse than you expected. So leave early, and even if something happens on the way you will still arrive on time.
Even if you are working from home, plan ahead, because you cannot control everything, least of all the unexpected. Check you have what you need and that it all works — internet, computer and anything else required.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early, because the first step to doing well on day one is not being late.
Being punctual at the end of the day matters too. Staying late will not be viewed favourably. Unless you are asked to, leave at the time agreed when you were hired.
3 - Dress appropriately
Not every workplace has a uniform or a dress code to follow. Even so, there are clothes suited to each kind of occasion. Avoid plunging necklines, very short skirts, too many accessories and anything overly casual.
Take care over hygiene too. Wear clean clothes, shower, use a light fragrance, keep your nails clean, shave, comb your hair and avoid anything excessive.
4 - Learn the rules
However relaxed a workplace is, there is still a set of rules aimed at keeping things running smoothly between colleagues. Knowing those rules is essential if you are not to break them unwittingly.
Even if nobody gives you the rules, written or spoken, observe. On day one you need to pay close attention. If nobody tells you, work out for yourself whether there are conventions among colleagues — email signatures, use of devices and so on.
5 - Manage your nerves
It is practically impossible not to show a little nervousness and anxiety on day one, which is entirely normal. What matters is keeping it in proportion so it does not affect your performance; too much of it leaves a negative impression of being unprepared, unprofessional and easily intimidated.
Whenever you feel the nerves rising, take a few seconds to breathe consciously, have a glass of water and, of course, do not be embarrassed to apologise if the anxiety shows. Supervisors expect that sort of thing. What matters is not losing your professionalism.
Try breathing deeply, or listening to calm music on the way in, but above all remember that you were hired for a reason. Tell yourself you are good at what you do — otherwise you would not have been chosen.
6 - Show responsibility and discipline
Showing that you are responsible and disciplined from day one will do a great deal for your professional image, especially in the eyes of your supervisors.
So beyond punctuality, get organised, apply yourself to your work, pay attention to company policy, and generally act in ways that demonstrate responsibility and discipline.
7 - Ask questions
Do not sit on your uncertainties. Use this early period to ask questions and clear everything up. The point is not to end the day still unsure and end up doing something wrong. Get it all straight.
Do not be afraid of asking plenty of questions; your colleagues understand that these first days raise a lot of them, so they will be understanding and helpful. Use this early period to align on processes, rules and everything else.
8 - Make connections
Companies are more diverse than ever.
Last but not least, make connections. Building a good relationship with your colleagues brings nothing but benefits to your working life, and you can start on your first day in the new job.
Work is where you will spend most of your time. Building ties with your team and with other colleagues is essential to making the day-to-day lighter and more enjoyable.
Connections at work also increase your sense of belonging, which promotes other positive feelings such as wellbeing, happiness and productivity.
Another important tip is respecting differences. Companies are more diverse than ever, so at work you will be in contact with people from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, beliefs and ideologies. Respect has to come first if relationships are to work.
After hours, it is worth connecting on social media with the people you spoke to most, on LinkedIn for instance. That helps you build a good network, which is fundamental to professional development and success.
Follow these tips and your first day will certainly be a success.
Good luck! 😉❤