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Your ultimate first day survival guide

Office & Culture

Congrats! You’ve passed the interview and been offered a new job. Let out a big sigh of relief as all the hard work is over right?

Now you’ve got those dreaded first day jitters

How early should you arrive? Should you pack a lunch? What if you forget someone’s name?

Your mind is racing, your thoughts are in overdrive, but take a deep breath and have a read of our eight tips to make sure your first day starts off smoothly.

Eager Beaver

Don’t be late, especially on your first day. Make sure you know where you are going, by scoping out the route which you’ll take on the first morning. Also, take into consideration you may be travelling at rush hour, which no one ever just knows how much time to allow for. Aim to be at least 15 minutes early, you don’t want to be rushing and racing on your first day. Grab a coffee in a nearby café and relax if you find you overestimated the journey time.

Dress the part

Have your outfit prepared from the night before and prepare for the various climates which Ireland can throw at you in any one given day. It’s always a safe bet to pack an umbrella given that we’re never shy of rain here. If you were present at their offices for your interview you should have gotten an insight into how everyone dresses – if not, a smart business look is always best.

Also, if you’ve a bit of a walk ahead of you, we wouldn’t recommend breaking in your new work shoes just now. Pop on your runners for the walk and pack your shoes for when you reach the office. Blisters will not be your friend on day one! Although it’s a given that you are shown the first aid kit, limping and whining doesn’t look good.

Pack a lunch – but be prepared not to eat it!

If you’re offered to go have lunch with your new boss and co-workers, go! It’s important to show that you’re ready to mingle with your new team — so save the packed lunch for another day.

If it happens to be a company who bring in their own lunches each day, at least you’re saved then too! It may take a few days to suss out what exactly happens at lunch time each day, but be prepared either way.

Ask questions

You’ll likely be introduced to many people, and while they may make the first attempt to learn a little about you, try to find out about them and their role. It’s not just flattering, it will help you do your job better.

This is the time when your allowed to ask as many questions as you like! So don’t be shy, speak up and you’ll be off on the right track from the get-go.

Fail to prepare. Prepare to fail.

You obviously know the company and what they do since you were successful in securing this new role. But it’s important to have a plan in place for when you start, be prepared for what you want to achieve in the first 30, 60 and even 90 days in your new role. This will give you a good grounding that you are on the right track and are progressing as the week’s role by.

You won’t feel those first few weeks whizz by especially when you’re in a new and exciting environment with new colleagues and opportunities.

Join In

Starting in a new company where you know no one can be daunting. Make sure you get involved, it’s the best way to get to know your new-found work friends. Many companies are now promoting work wellness amongst their staff with running (or walking!) groups at lunch or team events in the evenings.

Also, if your colleagues tend to get together once every so often for food or drinks– the only answer is yes!

Take a break from your mobile

Put your mobile phone on silent. You need to be 100% present at work, especially on the first day. There’s enough things to concentrate on without the distraction of social media and keeping up to date with the WhatsApp group. Everyone will still be there at 5.30 when your finished day one and you’ve all evening to fill them in.

Be yourself

Just remember it was you in the interview that landed this new and exciting opportunity. Just relax and be yourself – they hired you above all other candidates for a reason! If you feel overwhelmed by the tasks at hand, just take a breather. You’ll fit right in in no time.

And finally – Best of luck!

Have you any advice for anyone starting a new role? Let us know @glandorenetwork.

Our serviced office spaces in both Dublin and Belfast are sure to make your staff feel right at home when settling in to their new jobs. If you’d like to find out more about us and how we can help your business grow, get in touch for a chat or a tour here.

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