Your First Day at a Job or Internship

First days can be hard, period. Thrown into a brand new situation, we wade through a slew of new information like co-workers’ names and how to work the temperamental coffee maker, bound to forget much of it within minutes. We meet new people, navigate the office, and often get the first glimpse of the work we will grapple with in the coming weeks. First days can be exciting, nerve-racking, and overwhelming.

Your first day at work can also be a chance to see if your expectations meet the reality of the job. You read the job posting, likely went on an interview, and have done some background research on the company. But until you sit behind the desk, it’s hard to know exactly what is in store. While the first day might not be the tell-all – often, it’s a day for orientation and getting comfortable with your environment – the first week of work can provide important insight into whether the fit is right for you.

As you put your best foot forward on your first day at work, here are some do’s and dont’s to make a great first impression.

What to do:

Research. A great first day actually begins 2-3 weeks in advance. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to feel comfortable and confident on the big day. Begin by doing an Internet search, including LinkedIn and Facebook, to check out the company and your boss. Look for recent articles in local newspapers to find interesting tidbits about the organization you can use to make small talk. Think about something interesting and appropriate to say about yourself (15 seconds or less) for those inevitable questions.

Prepare. A few days before your start date, consider sending a reminder email to your supervisor confirming your arrival time and where to go – it can help avoid confusion, and remind your boss to make all last-minute preparations for your arrival. Plot your route to work, accounting for traffic and weather. In almost all cases, it helps to do a dry run – don’t leave it to your first day to figure out the subway!

Dress well. Find out in advance the standard attire for employees. For your first day, if you hear casual, wear business casual; if you hear business casual or business attire, wear business attire. Go online for images of good business casual and business attire for your industry or type of organization – standards can vary by industry. If you do not have it, consider buying, borrowing or renting the proper attire. It is a critical part of your first day impression. Day 2 and beyond are a different story.

Things to Avoid:

Negative attitude. Manage your expectations. Decide to maintain a positive, upbeat attitude regardless of unwelcome surprises: whether or not they remember you are starting work that day, have a place for you to sit—with a computer and a phone, gave any thought to providing an orientation, or have work to do for someone of your caliber. Remember, your first day is about YOU making a great first impression, no matter what.

Showing up late. Sometimes accidents do happen, but make every effort to be on time your first day. Avoid feeling stressed or disoriented on an unfamiliar commute by leaving plenty of time – add 30 minutes to your normal commute time for ease of mind.

Congratulations on your new job! Remember: someone thought enough of you to say yes. With the right first impression, you can set yourself up for a productive, exciting summer of opportunities.

Best wishes for a great first day!

APW & NW

Your Success is Our Success.