5 tips to prepare and nail your first day at work

First impressions at a new job really matter – but no pressure! The way you waltz into the office on your first day of work and the way you conduct yourself for the following eight to ten hours will have an influence on the way people perceive you as a person and a colleague, so it’s important to leave a good impression on the first try. Now, no need to impress everyone with your intelligence and amazing wits, you simply need to be good enough to make people think they can trust you, lean on you, and that you know what you’re doing.

No matter if you’ve found a job in a leading tech startup where the stakes to stay ahead are high, or if you’ve joined a creative agency where you need to dazzle clients with your creativity and imagination, you need to be prepared for the challenges of your first day at work. Here are the five tips that will help you do just that.

The essentials you’ll need to bring

First things first, you need to know what you’re supposed to bring with you so as to avoid frantically running back home and possibly being late for your first day. And all of that because you forgot your ID. Some of the essential things you need to have on you include your driver’s licence and personal identification card that you’ll give to the HR rep when you come to work for the first time.

Now that you have HR covered, what else do you need? Well, it depends on the position. If the employer provides the tech, then leave your laptop at home, if not, be sure not to forget it. It’s a good idea to bring a notebook so that you can jot down your thoughts, people’s names and character traits (they’ll come in handy later), and important information in general.

Decide on your outfit well in advance

Whatever you do, do not try to create an ensemble the night before the big day. Because you’ll just end up panicking and hating everything you try on. To create a winning workplace wardrobe, you need to try different options, and you need to give yourself time to pick the best outfit you’ll feel confident in.

What’s more, deciding on the right outfit will greatly depend on your company’s culture. How do the other people dress, do you remember the type of attire people wore when you were interviewing? Yes, you want to be unique, but you also want to complement the attire of the workplace in order to come off as friendly and kind, respectful of the brand’s culture, but also ready and able to do business.

Show up prepared and ready to do business

And speaking of, now’s the time to work on your game face and prepare for the big day ahead. There is no use in denying the fact that people will expect you to prove yourself, and that the first day is one of the best opportunities to make a positive impression on your superiors. So, you need to come prepared. If you’ve received any important business document templates from HR to fill out before coming in, make sure they’re properly filled out and that you have brought them with you – you don’t want to come off as sloppy or forgetful.

Next, come prepared with thoughts and ideas on some of the topics, problems, and projects you’ve been informed about in the introductory email. Try not to look confused or disoriented, but rather, put a smile on your face, look up, and walk with confidence – if unsure about anything, simply ask for help.

Should you bring your own food?

This is a question that can have a different answer depending on your company’s culture and organization. Some companies have their own cafeterias, while some companies require you to bring your own food. Either way, you’ll need to take care of yourself and nourish your body. Be sure to ask, and don’t forget to check if the other employees have a routine of going out for a group meal at lunch break, because you want to join them if you can.

Put a smile on your face and prep for small talk

And finally, don’t forget that this is your opportunity to make new friends, as well as to showcase your amazing personality. Without faking it, put a smile on your face and prep yourself for plenty of small talk in order to get to know your colleagues quickly and shape their perception of you in a positive way. Ask interesting questions without delving into their personal lives, give a few heartfelt compliments here and there, and be prepared to do a lot of listening and nodding.

Final thoughts

First days in life are always tough. The first day of school, the first day of uni, and now the first day at a new job, all of it can seem quite daunting. Don’t worry, you’ve got this, just be sure to stick to these tips in order to calm your head, make a solid battle plan, and have a great time on your first day.

Featured image courtesy of Pixabay