First day nerves are normal, and a good sign! In the words of Michael Jordan; ‘Being nervous isn’t bad. It just means something important is happening’. It’s as applicable in the corporate environment as in the world of sport. In your case, something important is happening – the next chapter in your career. The right preparation will make sure you’re on the front foot from the word go. With this in mind, we’ve highlighted the 10 key ways to make sure your first day is memorable for all the right reasons.
Rise and shine!
Get an early night and set your alarm to allow plenty of time for a relaxed, stress-free start to your day. Regardless of your usual morning routine, this is one day to make sure you eat a proper breakfast. You don’t know what your schedule will be like, or when you might get a break, so fuel up!
Dress for success
Make sure you know what that means in the context of your new company. When you arrive, you’ll want to feel like you instantly fit in, rather than stick out for being over or under dressed. Plan your first day’s outfit the evening before, try it on, and leave it out ready for the morning.
Plan your route
Ensure you have thought about how you are getting to the office, whether that is public transport, driving or walking. However confident you are of the journey plan for your new commute, there could be unplanned road closures or transport delays, so have a back-up plan, and, if you’ve got time, do a practice run of the journey (at the relevant time of day). Fill the car up with petrol, or buy your ticket in advance, and remember to leave enough time for the unexpected!
Domestic arrangements
Think ahead about what’s going on at home in your first week. You should free up as much head space (and time) as possible to focus on the new job. It won’t always be like this – very soon, it’ll all be as routine as your old job – but getting used to a new commute, new colleagues, new systems and duties is exhausting enough, and you won’t want added stress. Even simple things like preparing, bulk buying or batch cooking some easy dinners for the first week will mean that you can relax more when you get home after work. And, finally, the last thing you’ll need is a busy social schedule, so try and keep a clear social diary for the first week.
Do your homework
You’ll have done a lot of preparation and research ahead of your interview process, but now it’s time to revise! Review your research regarding the company and plan some insightful and useful questions which you might have the opportunity to ask on your first few days. Work on your elevator pitch so you can use it as a confident opener when you’re introduced to new colleagues.
Goal setting
First day experiences vary from one company to the next. Some organisations plan a very structured on-boarding process for their new joiners, and some employers will see what happens on the day. It is important to be a self-starter and arrive with some of your own goals and objectives. Go prepared to make yourself busy on your first day, that means taking the time in advance to revisit the job description, recap the interview conversation and remind yourself of what you’re there to achieve or deliver.
Go in with an open mind
Your first day is about listening and absorbing as much as you can. Avoid making any hasty judgements about the office culture, office politics, or individual capabilities, and don’t allow yourself to be drawn into any office cliques.
Pack your bag
It’s more common than you can imagine for new joiners to completely forget to bring in all the requested documentation on their first day. Don’t be the person who must be chased; double check all the correspondence you received prior to starting. Get anything you need out the day before and pack your bag, so that you’re not rushing round on the first morning. Invest in a decent notepad and pen, don’t forget your phone / device chargers, and pack a couple of snacks!
Don’t take lunch
Speaking of food … the chances are you’ll be taken out for lunch so today is not the day to bring your own. Hiding yourself away with a packed lunch on day one won’t help you to meet people and integrate with the team, and if it turns out everyone else does that, you can always pop out and bring lunch back to join them.
Take a moment – you deserve it!
Enjoy your success and, above all, relax and ease off on the pressure you put on yourself. If you’ve time, get there early enough to have a coffee nearby. It’s not every day you start a new job, and it’s worthy of celebration.
Finally you should enjoy your first day, nobody is expecting you to know everything, remember everything or make any ground-breaking changes – at least not until tomorrow.
Now … put your phone on silent, smile and go get ‘em!
