How to Have a Great First Day at a New Job

Tips for The First Day of a New Job

The beginning of the year and Q1 is the most popular time for companies to hire new employees. With January quickly approaching, it’s time to prepare for successful onboarding and training. That’s why we’ve put together this guide for how to have a great first day of work, whether you’re starting a new position yourself or you want to help your newest employees feel comfortable. 

Good luck — you’ll do great!

What is First Day Anxiety?

​​Few things are more anxiety-inducing than starting a new job. Common signs of first-day stress are sleeplessness, nervousness, and even feeling imposter syndrome. New employees aren’t the only ones who deal with first-day anxiety, either. Managers can be equally nervous about a new job, and they may also feel anxious at the thought of having new direct reports.

Tips for Having a Good First Day of Work

Even if you can’t completely get rid of the anxiety — which is completely normal, by the way! — there are plenty of tips to have a great first day of work, which should quell those nerves as the day or week goes on.

Prepare Questions 

Your first day of work is a good time to get answers to pressing questions. This is when people are the most prepared to offer advice to new employees, and everyone will expect you to have questions for them. 

Come prepared with a list of questions to ask management and HR, and add to it as the day goes on and you think of more to ask. Most importantly, get clarification on your role, expectations, responsibilities, and short-term goals so that you know the direction you’re headed for the next few weeks.

Arrive Early

You should always arrive early or right on time to work, but it’s especially important to be punctual on your first day so you make a good impression. To avoid any mishaps, set your alarm for earlier than you need to and give yourself plenty of extra time. From feeling flustered as you’re getting ready to having trouble finding the right parking lot at your new job, there’s a lot that can slow you down on your first day of work.

Dress for Success

It’s difficult to have a great first day at work if you feel underdressed. Make sure you know the dress code, and wear something professional that you feel comfortable and confident in. Oh, and be yourself. You don’t want to wear something completely out of character because that will only add to your self-consciousness.

Introduce Yourself

Try to be outgoing, and introduce yourself to people as you see them. Knowing how to establish yourself in a new role and taking steps to proactively be part of the team shows others that you’re approachable and confident. 

This also gives you the chance to learn and (hopefully) remember people’s names. By creating a rhyme or an alliterative reminder with the person’s name, it may stick in your head better.

Pay Attention and Show Interest

So many first-day on-the-job tips revolve around being present, and this one is no different. Show interest in the places, people, and happenings around you. Being attentive communicates to others that you care about your job. Plus, the people who are showing you around and training you won’t feel like their time is wasted.

Notice Office Dynamics

Instead of coming in with a bang, be polite, professional, and friendly while still observing how the office and team function. Note communication styles, methods of collaboration, and other nuances that will help you assimilate. Over time, you can suggest changes, but at first, it’s smart to work in harmony with the office as it is.

Try to Stay Relaxed

Even if you know lots of tips for how to prepare for your first day of work, you’re not going to absorb everything. It’s natural to forget some names and not get every detail of your job down pat within one day. Don’t stress about that. Simply stay present on your first day and know that, with time, you’ll learn everything you need to.

Shop the Custom Gift Box for New Hires

Our MerchBoxes gather together top items around a theme, and we have one just for new employees. The New Hire Necessities MerchBox is packed with branded gear that makes team members feel welcome. 

The debossed Moleskine Black Volant Ruled Large Journal (5" x 8.25") has ruled pages for note-taking, and the complementary Moleskine Black Go Pen can be attached to the cover and lays flat. The logo-engraved Zusa White Commuter Tumbler 20 oz is perfect for ice water or hot coffee thanks to its high-quality insulation. There’s also the slim and endlessly useful branded Origaudio White PowR Stand 2.0 Wireless Charging Pad, plus a durable embroidered Under Armour Black Hustle 5.0 Backpack to tote all the new swag in.

Contact Us

Are you looking for the perfect custom new hire gifts? Get in touch with a Merchologist today to explore your options. You can also personalize a MerchBox by selecting the exact items you want included. We can walk you through the whole process!