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How To Overcome First Day Nerves

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You’ve been excited for weeks and the big day is almost here – first day on your new job! But all of a sudden you’re overwhelmed with uncertainty and nerves. Who am I to ask for when I get there? Where do I park? What if I don’t know what to do? What are my teammates names again? What if I’m not good enough? Ahh… where is the bathroom?

 

We all experience first day nerves. It’s to be expected – you want to make the best first impression possible. The better the impression you make the easier it will be to settle in as you rid yourself of nerves. So how do you guarantee a great first day? Simply by being organised.

 

Be early!

We’ve all been late to work before and the stress and strain we feel when we are late is not what you need on your first day. Set your alarm 30 minutes early and for your first morning aim to be 15-20 minutes early, this way if you do hit a traffic-jam or miss your bus, you’ve time to spare.

 

Do your research

Before you start, learn as much about the company as you can – names of the senior management team, who will be on your team, clients etc. First days on the job are normally overwhelming as you get reams of information thrown at you! Find out as much as possible in advance so you’re not stunned.

 

Get your bearings

Come in early or stay late one of your first days to figure out where everything is i.e. where the stationery cupboard or the printer are, can you leave food in the staff kitchen etc. The more comfortable you are with your environment, the sooner you won’t feel as awkward.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

No one expects you to know everything on your first day so if you’re unsure of anything, make sure to ask! It’s best to make sure you’re doing things right than finding out later on and having to start all over again.

 

Make Connections

Everyone will go out of their way to make you feel welcome on your first day so see this as an opportunity to make connections with your colleagues. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people and try to get to know them. Also be aware of the company culture, is it a sociable company? If it is try and make it out for Friday evening drinks, often this can be one of the best environments to get to know your colleagues.

 

Finally while you may feel like the newbie now, in a few weeks time it will be like you’ve always been there.