Whether you’re starting your first job or you're an experienced worker, there is no better time to make a good first impression than your first day at work. It doesn’t matter if it was your skills and experience or simply your availability that landed you the job — you still have an obligation to be prepared to do your job for the company that hired you. You may not accomplish much on your first day, but you will meet a lot of other employees, and possibly managers or executives who might later be responsible for your raise or promotion.
You can begin preparing for your first day at work the night before. Though you might be excited or even nervous, you should do your best to get a good night’s sleep so you are well rested for the next day. Try to avoid too much caffeine late in the day, and even if you’re celebrating your new job with friends or family, avoid alcohol and don’t eat too much. All of these things can interfere with a good night’s rest.
Before going to sleep the night before, gather any supplies, tools, or equipment that you will need for your first day. If you carry a briefcase, pack it the night before. Be sure to have a ballpoint pen for filling out those necessary tax forms. You might also want to be sure to have cash on hand in case of unexpected fees, such as parking, where plastic may be no good. Be sure to save time in the morning by getting your clothes ready the night before.
The morning of your first day at work, allow yourself plenty of time for getting ready and for the commute. Because you’re creating a new routine and don’t yet know how things will go, you want to ensure that you have enough time. Rushing around to leave the house or finding you’re stuck in traffic you didn’t know would be so heavy will only leave you feeling frustrated and stressed. Having a relaxed morning and arriving to your first day at work on time will get you off to the right start — it will also make a good impression on the people who hired you. The first day is the hardest for many people, but you can rest assured that each day after will likely get easier.
