13 First Day of Work Tips to Start Your New Job Confidently
With your first day of work at your new job approaching, you’re likely feeling excited and maybe a bit nervous. If this is your first full-time job after college, it’s an especially big day.
Once you show up for work, you’ll meet many new people and take in a ton of information, so it’s important to be prepared. Planning ahead will help you make a positive first impression and gather the information you need to be successful. Follow these first day of work tips to start your new job with confidence.
What to expect on your first day of work
Every company is different, and the first-day schedule at a small business might differ from one at a major corporation. However, there are a few activities you can plan on during your inaugural day on the job, regardless of where you’ll be working.
New hire orientation
You and any other new hires starting on the same day will participate in employee orientation. During this time, you’ll receive an overview of the company and be given materials like the employee handbook and an overview of the company’s benefits.
You’ll probably be asked to complete some paperwork, like an I-9 form, which verifies your employment eligibility, and a W-4, which specifies the appropriate amount of income tax your new employer needs to withhold from your paycheck.
Workplace tour
Expect to be given a tour of the office, building, or job site where you’ll be working. You’ll be shown your workspace and other key spots like the break room or cafeteria.
Team introductions
A large portion of your first day of work will be spent meeting your new colleagues. Prepare to introduce yourself (more on using an elevator pitch below) and engage with the other department members.
Lunch
At many companies, it’s standard for new hires to be taken out to lunch by their manager or a teammate. Even if you brought lunch with you, you should accept this invitation as it’s a valuable opportunity to learn more about the company and its culture. If you’re free to do what you want for lunch, you can step out to get food nearby, order in, or eat a lunch you brought with you.
Shadowing
You’ll likely spend time shadowing one or more team members who will help you become familiar with the technology, tools, and workflows you’ll need to do your job. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and demonstrate your eagerness to learn by listening attentively.
What to do before your first day of work
Complete onboarding activities
Many companies are shifting their onboarding activities forward so that new hires can spend less of their first day on admin tasks and more time getting familiar with their new position. If the company sends you onboarding materials before your first day, take some time to review them and complete any action items, like filling out forms or logging into technology accounts. Likewise, if you’re provided with company devices like a phone or laptop, turn them on and set them up before you show up for your first day.
Refine your elevator pitch
An elevator pitch is a short statement about yourself that can help you introduce yourself succinctly to new people. It quickly summarizes your role and provides some information about your background.
An elevator pitch should include the following:
- Your name
- Your job title
- Some background information (i.e., that you just graduated college or what you did in your previous job)
- Other relevant tidbits (if you just moved to the city, for example)
Preparing an elevator pitch will help you sound polished and communicate key details about yourself when you’re getting to know your new teammates.
Get a good night’s sleep
Being well-rested will help you be energetic, focused, and productive during your first day. If you’ve been living the life of a night owl and your new job requires you to be in the office by 8 a.m., prepare your body to be up with the sun by slowly adjusting your schedule a week in advance.
Plan what you’ll wear
Proper attire demonstrates professionalism and helps you put your best foot forward. Plan what you’ll wear and ensure it’s clean and pressed before the big day to avoid a fashion emergency.
Ensure your first-day outfit complies with the company’s dress code, which should be outlined in your new hire materials. If you’re unclear about the dress code, go with business casual or business formal attire. We have a full breakdown of these two types of officewear here.
Write down questions you want to ask
You’ve probably had a few questions since you accepted the job offer. Jot these down so you can get answers on your first day.
Here are some good questions to ask:
- How will my success be measured?
- What are the most important goals for my first 30/60/90 days?
- When will my progress be assessed?
- Who should I report to about my work, and how often should I do it?
Related: Things to Consider Before First Day at New Job Checklist
Tips for your first day of work
Show up early
The last thing you want on your first day is to rush out the door, filled with stress because you’re running late. Plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled start time. This gives you a cushion if you run into traffic, need to stop for gas, etc.
It’s a good idea to map out and even practice traveling your route to work at the same time of day you’ll be going to the office to make sure you’re giving yourself ample time to get there.
Keep your phone out of sight
During your first day, your full attention should be focused on getting familiar with your new job, so turn your phone on silent, put it in your bag, and plan to leave it there for the majority of the day.
Be enthusiastic
It’s important to have a positive attitude. This shows that you’re open to engaging with your new colleagues and that you’re excited to be part of the team. Smile, look people in the eye, offer a firm handshake, and listen when others speak.
If you’re asked about your previous job, avoid speaking about it negatively. It’s unprofessional to badmouth a former employer, even after you’ve started a new position elsewhere.
Prepare for small talk
Small talk helps people who are just meeting one another build rapport and find common ground. Be prepared for common small talk questions like “Where are you from?” and “Where did you go to school?” Making conversation with your teammates and the other new hires taking part in orientation can help you form connections and begin to establish yourself as part of the team.
Observe your new colleagues
When you’re in your early career, it’s important to take cues from your more senior peers on things like office norms and expected behavior. Pay attention to how your colleagues speak to one another (is the tone more casual or formal?), address company leaders (Mr. Smith or Jim?), and interact with clients or customers. These are important elements of the company culture, and learning them will help you avoid a new hire faux pas.
Listen more than you speak
You don’t want to be that loudmouth kid who comes in acting like they know everything. Not only does this make you seem immature, but it will hurt your chance of developing beneficial relationships with more established employees who can help you learn. Spend more time asking questions and listening to others than you do talking about yourself or your experience.
Take notes
An overflow of information usually accompanies the first day of a new job. If you try to rely on your memory alone, you may miss or forget details that could be important later on. As you go through the day, write down the names and job titles of the people you meet and helpful tips and tricks your coworkers share with you.
Ask questions
There’s no better time than your first day to ask lots of questions because you’re not expected to know anything. If something seems confusing and you wait to ask about it, you may feel uncomfortable later on because you’re “supposed” to know how to do it. So, if you have a question, ask! Don’t be afraid to ask the person training you to repeat important information or provide clarification on anything you’re unsure of.
Becoming productive in a new role comes with a learning curve, and you’ll likely encounter an inevitable obstacle or two along the way. By adequately preparing for your first day, you’ll be better equipped to soak up as much helpful information as possible and begin putting your skills to work in your exciting new endeavor.
