New job jitters: how to navigate your first day

What to expect your first day on the job

To prepare for your first day, you need to be sure you have all of the specific details. Assign yourself one place—digital or pen and paper—to keep all of this information. Nail down these basic essentials about reporting to your first day of work:

• What time you’re expected to arrive
• Where and who you report to when you arrive
• Dress code—it’s okay to ask

Ask the hiring manager or HR department if they have a first-day checklist. If not, it’s okay to ask if they can confirm important details.

Making a good first impression

You’ve heard it before: You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared before you walk in the door of your new job. You can do this! Make sure to have these things nailed down and you’ll tame those first-day jitters.

• Practice a dry run of your commute. Time it to coincide with your actual commute so you get a feel for a typical day.
• Pad your time to allow for unforeseen road conditions, weather, traffic, or delays that may make your commute longer.
• Arrive 30 minutes early—after you’ve allowed for traffic, etc.—so you can collect yourself. You don’t want to walk in looking harried and out of breath.
• Get everything ready the night before. Whatever you need to bring, have it prepped and ready to go.
• Take care with your physical appearance. As we mentioned, it’s okay to ask about the dress code. It may even be seen as showing initiative. For your first day at most companies, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than a little too casual. It signals that you take your new role seriously.

Understand your role

You won’t know exactly what your new position entails until you start doing the work. That being said, it’s a good idea to review the information you have about your new job.

Take a look at the job description in the original job posting and recent updates to it. Review your contract and notes you’ve taken over the course of the hiring process. Keep all of this on hand to refer back to while you get your feet on solid ground.

When you feel yourself fading into the shadows, remember there is someone, in some organization who needs exactly what you have to offer. Think about how putting yourself out there helps them.

Going forward, remember that selling yourself can be about being exactly who you are. It can be about authenticity, shining your light, and putting your talents to use for the betterment of yourself and others.

Learn more about the company before your first day

Knowledge is power, as they say. Learn as much as you can about your new employer between now and your first day on the job. Doing your homework will pay off in two ways: 1) You’ll continue to make a good impression. 2) Knowing more about your new company will help you feel less anxious.

• Look at the company’s website. Pay attention to their mission statement, their About Us page, and anything that speaks to the company’s short-term and long-term goals. That’s essential information to understand if you want to align your energies with what the company hopes to accomplish.
• Read the company blog and social media content. What kinds of things are they talking about? Use what you learn as a conversation starter with your new coworkers. “I saw a post about the new service on Instagram/LinkedIn/Facebook. How’s that going?” See? You’re already a part of the conversation.
• Look at the LinkedIn profiles of the key people you’ll be working with. Don’t worry—nobody will think you’re being nosy! It’s a legitimate way of learning about your coworkers and bosses.
• Read up on company competitors and partnerships. Being knowledgeable about the industry landscape can only help you succeed in your new role.

How to succeed on your first day

Your main goal on your first day is to be positive, friendly, and show that you’re ready to work. Be ready for whatever the day brings. Your new company may have a smooth onboarding process or they may fly by the seat of their pants.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Make the effort to learn people’s names. It’s a great way to start on a positive note with your new colleagues. It can feel like a whirlwind at first, but be patient. You’ll get there.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. People like to be helpful!
• In less organized companies, you may not have a ton to do at first. That’s okay. Observe your surroundings and watch what other people are doing.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset—an attitude of, “I can do this if I work hard and learn new information.” It’s a great approach to any goal you set for yourself and bosses love to see it.

Meet with your manager as soon as possible. According to the Harvard Business Review, new employees who met with managers during their first week were more likely to stay in their new job than employees who didn’t.

Managing new-job jitters

No matter how prepared you are for your first day, you’ll still feel nervous before the big day arrives. That’s actually a good thing—in moderation. A boost of nervous energy gets you firing on all cylinders and ready to face the day!

You can’t be at your best if you’re overwhelmed with anxiety, though. Here are some tried and true strategies for managing anxiety:

• Practice mind-body techniques. High levels of anxiety can hijack your nervous system, making your breathing shallow, your heart race, etc. Luckily, there are a lot of things you can try that will help. Most techniques have tutorials online or apps.
• For guided meditation, try Headspace or Calm mobile apps or Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. The Tapping Solution app teaches how to use acupressure points, deep breathing, and cognitive strategies to bring down stress levels.
• Keep up with basic self care. You probably have a lot on your plate as you get ready for your new job, but don’t neglect your overall health. Lay low on the junk food, get some fresh air and exercise, and get enough sleep. All of this will help you be at your best on the big day!

Get professional help if you need it. If you can’t seem to get on top of your anxiety, find a mental health counselor. Working with a counselor will help you feel less anxious before you start your new job and can help you manage the stress of a big change.

Final thoughts

Take a moment to appreciate where you are. Starting a new job can be scary, but it’s exciting, too! A steady paycheck (hooray!) and new adventures await! Enjoy it!