We’ve all been there. It’s the night before the first day of your new job…. the nerves are settling in at rapid speed, and it’s easy to begin feeling anxious. However, don’t fear! We’re here to prepare you for that first day. Read about our key tips here…

Night and Week Before:

Practice Transportation if Necessary: If your new position requires travel to an unfamiliar area or city, we recommend practicing your route to work beforehand. That way, you won’t run into any commute-related surprises on your first day!
Elevator Pitch: Especially if you’re working for a new company, it is almost guaranteed that you will be meeting a bunch of new people on your first day. Prepare a casual “elevator pitch” to share with those you meet, think of it as a brief introduction of why you’re there, what you’re doing, and who you are!
Relaxation: Your next day is nearly guaranteed to be jam-packed, so remember to allow for some relaxation the night before! Whether this means a movie night, meditation, bath, face mask, hearty meal, or even a glass of wine, allow for some self-indulgence.
Plan out an Outfit: The last thing your morning needs is a scramble of what to wear. Layout any clothing, shoes, or accessories (even if it’s a briefcase) that you plan to wear the next day. This will decrease the time it takes you to get ready the next morning and will also diminish any anxiousness.
Rest! Any preparation for the company that you have done should be completed by this time. Go to bed at a reasonable hour so that you are fully charged for the next day.
Set Alarms! Set two! Set three! Set four! Anything you need to do to completely ensure that you will wake up at the exact time you have set.

Morning of:

Timeliness: First day means… first impressions! There is no easier way to increase your first impression in a positive way than showcasing your preparation by arriving early. Yes, this means getting out of bed earlier than usual, and leaving your home early too! As we’ve said in the past, if you’re on time, you’re late. Trust us, it’ll pay off.
Take a Lay of the Land: Once you are settled into your desk or office, take a few moments throughout the day to gain a “lay of the land.” How is the building set up, how are positions segregated, how do employees seem to interact with each other and with management? Understanding the social atmosphere of your company will aid you in creating new relationships.
Be Extra Aware of Attitude and Tone: Walk in with a smile! All of your hard work has paid off and you are finally starting your new job. Look excited, engaged, motivated, and ready to become emerged in your new role. Also, make sure you are using a tone that showcases excitement.
Be Friendly! We encourage you to make the first move and initiate conversation with those around you. Say “Hi,” ask how people’s day is, and make an effort to meet the people you will be working with. If it helps, plan out some common questions to ask others (conversation starters) beforehand. Everyone loves to feel valued!
Active Listening: On your first day, remember that you are a sponge! Take in any information offered to you by your supervisor, hiring manager, or co-workers. As a newbie, it will help you immensely to gain any intellect that you can (be cautious of company-specific acronyms).
Accept Lunch: More times than not, lunch will be offered to you on your first day, or there will be a cafeteria to purchase food in. Take advantage of this time to socialize with new coworkers and become immersed in your new setting! Packing snacks are okay, but try to avoid preparing an entire meal.

With these 12 steps… we guarantee that you will be ready and on track to achieve a highly successful first day!

However, if you’re still looking for that new position… check out our open jobs list!

Need some more help? Read our article to learn how to rock your first impression!