Congratulations! You got the job! The team here at Joshua Robert are over the moon for you. All that interview preparation and hard work was all worth it. But now the real work begins.
Are you feeling nervous? Excited? We bet you are. With your first day at your new job soon approaching, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed; no two workplaces are the same so try to embrace the uncertainty. Your first day is super important. It’s your first opportunity to connect with your colleagues and scope out the office/workplace. Even if you’re working remotely, it’s still an opportunity to meet your colleagues, understand how the organisation works, and learn new responsibilities.
Before the big day, the best thing to do is adjust your expectations and prepare yourself.
1. Plan your commute
There’s nothing worse than panicking about being on time for your first day of work. So why not save yourself the hassle and plan your commute ahead of time? What are your
options? Looking to drive? Have you considered where you will park your car? Maybe public transport is a better option. Across the UK, 68% of commuters drive to work whereas only 27% of those living in London commute by car. If you’re not used to or haven’t worked in the area before, it’s best to check out the location.
2. Plan your outfit
Knowing what to wear on your first day of work can help you feel more comfortable and confident. Imagine you’re getting ready for your first day, four outfits later and you still haven’t made your mind up. The clocks ticking and you’ve got to catch your train in ten minutes and you haven’t even packed your bag yet. Not planning your outfit just adds more unnecessary stress.
Your appearance on your first day of work at a new job is your first opportunity to make a positive impression on your new colleagues. You want your first day of work appearance to convey to your new colleagues that you are professional and capable of performing the job for which you were hired. 
3. Be Authentic
Authenticity refers to how closely a person’s actions match their beliefs despite external pressures to conform. In short, do your actions reflect your beliefs? Authenticity in the workplace is important. Living by your beliefs and principles constantly leads to less conflict within yourself. How are you supposed to feel confident at work if you’re not acting in accordance with your beliefs and values? Being self-aware is key. You’re not going to change overnight.
Acting how you normally would outside of work helps to create consistency; this will then be what your colleagues and employers will expect from you. It also helps them to understand you as a person.
4. Relax! It’s a new job
It may sound easier said than done, but relaxing will make the day go a lot smoother. Your employer understands there’s much to take in on your first day. You’re probably going to make a few minor mistakes or misunderstand concepts and procedures; this is normal. Relaxing can also help you retain new information and allows you to adapt to the new environment you’re in. 
5. Ask lots of questions
You shouldn’t assume that your employer will cover everything during your first day and it’s likely you’re not going to understand everything. Therefore, it’s important to ask questions. You may already have questions you want to ask your employer before the day has started. Usually, your employer will ask if you have any questions at several points throughout your day. However, if they don’t, it’s a good idea to write down these questions and arrange a time to discuss those points with them.
6. Accept lunch invitations
It may seem really tempting to bring in the leftovers from last night’s spang bol, but there’s a chance your colleagues may ask you out for lunch. Here at JR, we always take out our new consultants to lunch on their first day. It’s a chance for us to break that barrier and build connections. It may seem a bit intimidating to sit and eat with strangers, but it’s a valuable opportunity to get to know your colleagues in a more sociable setting.
Not only does it improve relationships, but it also helps you find out more about the area you’re working in. If you’ve never worked in the area before, it’s likely your colleagues will point out certain places on your way to lunch – killing two birds with one stone! 
7. Be Observant
Being observant is one of the most helpful things to do during the day. Paying attention to the environment and to how other people behave is one of the biggest insights. In your old job, you may have worked in a quiet office, with everyone focused on their work. Your new setting could be very fast-paced and loud. Understanding the culture and work setting helps you to adapt to the new working environment and learn what the expectations are.
8. End the day positively!
Give yourself a pat on the back! You’ve got through your first day. Did something stand out to you? Take note of something that went well, compliment one of your new colleagues or drop a thank you note to your new boss. Although it may have seemed daunting in the morning, how do you feel now that the day has ended?
All your hard work has finally paid off. Once again, congratulations on the new job! We’re sure your new company and colleagues are going to love having you on their team! Good Luck!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your consultant who will be more than happy to help you. 
Want to get ahead in your new job?
Why not check out our ‘First Month Goal Plan’? Worry often comes along with the excitement of a new job. What happens if you can’t adapt to new people, processes, and team-wide dynamics quickly enough to make a great impression? Our first-month goal plan can help you break down information and work out your core responsibilities along with any questions you may want to find out. Learning the nuances of your new role can be time-consuming but, using our template will help accelerate your development and help to adapt to your new work environment as quickly as possible.
We’d love to know what you think
Thank you for choosing Joshua Robert to help find you your new role. Securing a job should be a smooth and simple process, something we hope we have achieved for you. If you can spare a few minutes to leave us a review, we’d be super grateful!