After graduating from college, your next goal is to start your career. Don’t be surprised to experience a few jitters on your first day at the job. Fear of the unknown causes a lot of people to get nervous. These tips will help you to have a great experience on your first day at the office.
Tips for Having a Successful First Day on the Job
1. Get Your Morning Started With a Healthy Meal
When you arrive at the workplace, your mind needs to be fresh and ready to soak up knowledge. Breakfast is more important than you think. According to research, missing breakfast causes a drop in blood sugar. This means your brain won’t be able to function at its best. However, not all meals are created equal. Instead of grabbing a doughnut and coffee, seek healthier options. Some great options include scrambled eggs with veggies, berries, Greek yogurt, and nuts.
2. Get an Early Start on Your First Day
In order to wake up feeling energized, you must go to bed at a reasonable time. Aim to get at least seven hours of quality sleep. Experts recommend getting to the job at least 10 minutes before clocking in. Depending on how far you stay from the workplace, you will likely need to leave home a bit earlier. Unexpected problems, like traffic jams and bad weather, can cause you to run behind schedule. Walking into the job late definitely makes a bad first impression.
3. Come Prepared to Learn
On your first day, expect to be given a lot of instruction. At times, you may find it difficult to remember everything you’re being told. The brain can only absorb but so much information at once. A pen and paper will prove to be your best friends. Don’t hesitate to take notes. When you go home, sit down and browse over the notes. While a regular scratchpad will work in a pinch, a professional-looking notebook is worth the extra money.
4. Be Friendly
Make it a point to keep a friendly demeanor with everyone you meet. Even if you are an introvert, try to make a good first impression. You’ll be surprised by the impact a simple smile or saying hello can make. These small gestures help create great comradery. Positivity tends to spread like wildfires. Remember, never try too hard to impress people. Allow things to flow naturally.
5. Ask Smart Questions
Before you arrive at work, think about some things you would like to know. When meeting with your team leader, don’t be afraid to ask smart questions. Great questions relate to the job culture and your boss’ expectations. On the other hand, shy away from asking questions that can be easily answered by doing a quick online search. Also, develop a habit of active listening. This means you need to truly concentrate on what the other person is saying.
6. Don’t Worry About the Small Stuff
Becoming comfortable with your new surroundings will likely take more than a day. This is why it’s advisable to keep your expectations low. Whether they admit it or not, most people are somewhat anxious. While some people are worried about not being accepted, others fear to make mistakes. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to handle these feelings of anxiety. It’s especially important to keep an open mind. If you do happen to make a mistake, use it as a valuable learning tool. Perfection is not expected from a newbie. Trying to appear more knowledgeable than you really are is a waste of time. Just relax and enjoy the ride.
7. Try Not to Eat Lunch Alone
You don’t have to be a social butterfly. However, it’s still in your best interest to obtain some sort of rapport with your coworkers. In the event someone invites you out for lunch, accept the offer. Someone could even welcome you to have a drink at happy hour. This gives you an opportunity to learn even more. The extra interaction will also help you to become more at ease in the workplace. Furthermore, nothing is more rewarding than being able to make a new friend on your first day at the job.
8. Stay Professional
Always display a high level of professionalism, especially on your first day on the job. To be on the safe side, try to dress conservatively. If you find the dress code to be more relaxed, you can switch things up the next day. While there’s nothing wrong with being humorous, avoid telling questionable jokes at all costs. Imagine being reprimanded for offending someone on your first day.