Dear You, Here Are 10 Things To Do On Your First Day At Work

By Nsunjo Erica

Do you realize there is no tougher day than that first day you report to your place of work for your very first time? The anxiousness and the level of being scared to overwhelm the best part of poor you.

However much you prepare the day before, you can never feel you are ready enough to enter that office for the first time. The new faces, your fellow employees are enough to scare the crap out of you, that’s where the question comes in. What do you have to do on your first day at work?

The first day at your workplace sets the tone for the rest of your journey with those who you’ll be interacting with. The first day at your new job may be among the most memorable and perhaps stressful. Below are some 10 things you should do to pass through your first day at work.

Show up early, but enter the building on time

It is advisable to get to the office at least 15 minutes early, If you haven’t done the commute before, practice it a couple of times a week before so that you’re at least prepared.

However, on that first day, get to the building earlier but wait at a nearby coffee shop until the time your new boss or HR asked you to arrive, then enter the office, never be late on your first day.

Relax

While the day itself is a scare, also remember to relax on your first day so that you can optimize your productivity. Make sure you’re well-rested, prepared, and have every reason to be on time. This is a visible milestone, and you want to be at your best, therefore, do not panic.

Look and play the part

Basing on the fact that you are already scared and not thinking straight, take the conservative approach on how you dress and what you say and do. Be as professional as you were in the interview process.

Your Dress code is very important because sometimes the way we dress can turn people off to approaching us, or it sends the wrong message. Ideally, you want to blend in and make others and yourself comfortable.

Smile and do not be shy

We all know that, first impressions matter. Smile when you meet new people, and shake their hands. Introduce yourself to everyone, and make it clear how happy and eager you are to be there. Your co-workers will remember.

Talk to as many people as possible

You should start your journey with the perspective that you’re a friendly person and approachable, you will start on the right foot in establishing trust because basically, people will find it easy to approach you and interact.

Befriend at least one colleague

Your first day can indeed be very stressful and scary but besides being friendly to everyone, it’s always a good thing to connect with a fellow team member or two on your first day, basically try and be very close with your desk mate.

Personally I am aware that if you leave office on your first day when you have befriended someone, it will get even easier for you the next day, coming to office with someone to freely ask some questions.

Listen and observe and learn

You do not actually have to grasp everything within that one day, but the best thing anyone can do on the first few days of a new job is “listen, listen, and listen,” Do not act like you know it all even if you do, just listen.

Don’t turn down lunch

The best advice is that if you’re offered to go have lunch with your new boss and coworkers, go, It’s important to show that you’re ready to fit in with your new team, so save the packed lunch for another day.

Put your cell phone on silent

Nothing is more embarrassing than being in amidst a work session and out of the twenty on the table, your phone is the one to ring out loudly, you need to be 100% present at work, especially on the first day.

Prepare for as many questions as possible

On your first day, get ready to give a 30-second explainer of who you are and where you were before, as many new colleagues will likely ask about your previous place of employment, and so many other questions, be ready.