10 PSYCHOLOGICAL TIPS FOR THE FIRST DAY OF WORK

1. Prepare for the first day of work. Prepare what to wear (look for an outfit suitable for the work you will be doing), set your watch well in advance so you are not late (make sure you have time for a snack/coffee in the morning, check the route travel time and how busy it is, plan an alternate route, reserve time, etc.), check your car, make sure you know the address you’re going to, make sure your employer knows you will present at work (talk to a contact person from the company, for any technical details related to entering the company). The first impression is given by punctuality and dress, in most cases.

2. Rest well. A rested man is worth more than 100 stressed people! Do not worry. If they hired you, it means they need you. If you don’t know something, they will teach you! If you can’t do something, they will help you! Now you just need to rest/relax, so that you have all the energy you need for the next day. It can be a long and hard day. Be prepared and optimistic!

3. Be ready to learn a lot. Any new job generates new information. Openness to learning new things is both a cognitive and an emotional setting. Although, for the time being, the boss may not give you much to do from the first day of work, you can request additional information to help you better understand what you have to do. You may study the tools used by the company in its current activity (specialized software, work style, boss-subordinate relationships, document templates, devices/equipment, etc.) and the workplace schedule (breaks, time to present documents, meetings etc.). This will help you adapt quickly to new challenges.

4. Make a list of questions. You can start developing your list of questions even before you arrive to your new job, but you can certainly continue it throughout your first day on the job and even in the days that follow. Some questions you will get answered without asking, and for others you will have to formulate them clearly, to the competent people. They will help you establish your place and role in the new organization.
5. Get to know your team in which you will work. As a rule, each employee works within a team. It’s important to get to know your new colleagues. Be open to changes, be polite, be optimistic, be tolerant and try to communicate with them as much as possible without bothering them. You can initiate both professional and personal discussions. Listen carefully to what they tell you and remember; look them in the eye; ask them questions; provide answers to their questions; you can introduce yourself professionally and personally, if possible. They will help you the most to integrate into the new team and to get to know the organizational culture specific to that organization.

6. Don’t brag. Boastfulness is one of the most hated things. It generates, most of the time, negative and persistent feelings in the long term. You may find that you have more experience than many of your new colleagues, but you don’t have to say it. There will be times when you can prove it practically by solving difficult problems. Then your colleagues will really appreciate you.

7. Do not make public comparisons about your former job. It is recommended to be neutral about what you experienced at your old job. You may say: “It was an interesting period in my life!”, “I definitely gained experience and I hope it will be useful here”, “Now I am more future-oriented”, “There are competent people everywhere” and so on. If you have never worked before, you can only state this. This way of communicating will show new colleagues that you are not a gossipy, spiteful, vindictive, negative person with multiple frustrations and biases.

8. Organize your workplace. You can get a work table, a room, a place of your own, devices to service (for example, a computer) – right from the first day of work. It is important to think about them, take care of them and, if the company allows, personalize them in the way that they represent you (for example, you may rearrange them, bring some personal items, books, put a vase, a photograph, a painting, a plant, etc.). Don’t challenge or annoy others by what you do by trying to personalize your workplace. This will help others get to know you better and foster interpersonal interactions.

9. Stay relaxed. Although it’s easy to say, it’s harder to do. But if you keep your communication channels open and optimistic, you will succeed. If necessary, you can wash your face with warm water, arrange yourself in the mirror, talk to a loved one on the phone, do some physical exercises, get some fresh air, serve a snack, eat something sweet, hydrate etc. Do not forget to smile! This will give you the feeling that you are in control and can overcome any obstacle.

10. Think about how you can help your new colleagues. The feeling of usefulness is one that generates, by its very nature, satisfaction and joy. When you are new to a place it is highly recommended to be altruistic and offer your help when you have the opportunity. People will appreciate it and help you fit in more easily and prove your true worth. Every person likes to be valued and appreciated positively.