First Day of Work, Expectations of a

Turning up to start a new job can be very daunting, especially if it is your first job, and even more so if you have just left school as well.

First up, don’t panic. You have been selected by your new employer, so they want you. This should help to reassure you before you even start, so feel confident about your new journey in life.

On your first day turn up early: Not too early though, 10 to 15 minutes would usually be a good timescale. If you are working remotely then make sure your computer is up and running sometime before your official start time. Automatic updates to computer operating systems can often occur at the most inconvenient time, so don’t turn on your computer just a few minutes before starting.

Dress appropriately, as this should make you feel more comfortable. If you want to blend in, looking part of the team from day one, then enquire about typical work wear beforehand. There may be an expected dress code depending on the role and organisation, so check this out beforehand.

Travelling to and from work can throw up some issues such as delays and cancellations, so plan well ahead. You might even try a test run the week before your start day, just to get a feel for what it’s like and to start forming a routine. You can set off a little earlier on your first day, just to be sure of turning up on time. If you were close by your new work place a lot earlier than planned then it would have paid to have checked out facilities (such as a coffee shop), or parks etc. that you might be able to rest at or walk around just to kill some time, before making the final step into work.

When you arrive and check into a workplace you will probably need to sign in. Not only will this confirm the time you attended but it is also for fire regulations to ensure that everyone who in in a building, or premises, can be safely accounted for in case of a fire, or other emergency.

Consider taking a packed lunch and drink with you just in case facilities are limited or there are no local shops to purchase something from.

Think about how you are to introduce yourself to your new work colleagues, including what you might say about yourself. Your new work colleagues will be interested in finding something out about you and this can be a good way to help ‘break the ice’ and start forming a friendly and positive image and relationships with them.

You will typically be allocated to someone who will guide you through the day, showing you to your workstation / location, show you around the premises pointing out various features such as kitchen area / canteen, toilets, lockers, fire escape routes, first aid facilities, break times, how to sign in, explain what is planned for the day, introduce you to some other colleagues and other activities. In particular you will most likely be issued with any required PPE, ID card or access pass, username, passwords and passcodes for any computer equipment and mobile phone. If machinery is involved in the job role then you may start to be introduced to it and shown how it works. You will also typically be introduced to your induction programme, and this will also include a health and safety tour of the premises.

Early on in the day would also be a good time to ask what a typical day looks like, so you are aware of expectations. This will also help you settle in quicker as it helps to reduce the number of unknowns.

If you are unsure of anything during your first day, or days, and there no doubt will be many things you are unsure of, then ask someone. Work colleagues will be expecting you to ask questions, especially about whether you think you are doing something the right way. Asking ‘Can I just check I’m doing this right?’, can help reassure colleagues the extent of your understanding of what is required and provides an opportunity to make an adjustment or correction if something isn’t right. This is all part of the learning process so don’t be afraid to ask questions.

At the end of the day do thank people who have been helpful and leave in a cheerful manner, often saying something like ‘See you tomorrow’, or similar.

After you have left work for the day and had time to reflect on how it went, do make some notes of any concerns you have, especially any misunderstanding of requirements so that you can raise any of these in due course. If you don’t then how will an employer be able to help if you have hidden these issues. As mentioned before, don’t be afraid to ask about your concerns or misunderstandings as your employer wants you to succeed and should be only too happy to help put things right. A contented workforce is a more productive workforce than an unhappy one, so please do ask if unsure of anything.