Ace your first day on the job with 15 confidence-building tips

After scouring job search engines, submitting applications, and passing interviews, you got the job. It’s exciting when you can finally put your feet up and enjoy your success.

That is, until new job anxiety sets in. 

Your first day on the job is bound to be a little nerve-wracking. With so much information to absorb, new faces to meet, and the pressure to make a good first impression, feeling nervous or anxious is totally normal. 

But that feeling doesn’t have to overwhelm you. Preparing for your first day can reduce the jitters, help you find your bearings, and impress your new boss and coworkers. 

Before you begin

Workplaces can be stressful, especially if new environments make you uncomfortable. Being mindful of your feelings before you walk in on your first day can help restore your sense of calm and feel more confident. 

Here are some emotions you might experience as a new hire:

• Excitement: You might be eager to meet your team and learn everything about the new position.

• Nervousness: You could be questioning whether you’ll get along with your coworkers, fit into the company culture, and live up to expectations.

• Motivation: Your new colleagues want to see what you’re capable of, and you’re likely eager to show them.

• Confusion: You’ll have a lot to learn, which can lead to confusion. You might wonder whether you’re doing things right or who to ask when you’re unsure. 

• Exhaustion: The tail end of job search depression could still affect you and lower your energy.

• Relief: You might feel glad to take the next step on your career path and relieved you found a position that works.

• Imposter syndrome: Your fears and insecurities may cause you to question your place in the company, and impostor syndrome could make you worry that you can’t meet your new boss’s expectations. 

• Loneliness: You could miss the camaraderie of past teammates, especially if the decision to leave your old job for a new one was difficult.

Acknowledging and regulating positive and negative emotions can keep you from getting overwhelmed. Once you practice self-awareness and identify how you’re feeling, you can take steps to address it and avoid stress triggers.

The days before

Remember: you have time to adjust to a new position. Around 40% of CFOs say they expect you to prove yourself within three months, six months, or as long as you need. But it’s never too soon to start getting ready for your first day. 

If you have time, give yourself up to a week to make plans and get organized. Researching the company, communicating with your employer, and practicing self-care can all help begin your relationship with your new employer on the right foot. Here are a few ways to start:

• Do some research: If you’re starting at a new company — or entering a new field — you likely have a lot to learn. Begin by looking at your new company’s social media feeds for insight into the corporate culture.

  You can also search for your new coworkers’ LinkedIn profiles to develop insights into team dynamics and the types of people who get hired. 

• Contact human resources (HR): Reach out to your HR rep for access to the employee handbook, if there is one. Discuss paperwork, workplace standards, and dress code with them. Staying organized and communicative can help you feel more confident on your first day.

• Test everything: Do a test run of your morning routine to assess how long it’ll take you to get ready and travel to the office. If you’re working remotely, double-check your internet connection and equipment to ensure everything works correctly. Sorting out these details ahead of time helps ease your worries. 

• Check-in with your manager: Show initiative by contacting your supervisor a few days before your start date to confirm your schedule. You can also ask what to bring to the first day of work and what their expectations are for your first week.

• Invest in a new notebook: You’ll be learning a lot over the first few days, and the best way to manage that influx of information is to write it down, whether that’s digitally or in a notebook.

   

  Start journaling by listing your first-day questions with room for answers. After that, you’ll be ready to take notes during your orientation sessions and any other employee onboarding activities.

  

• Formulate your elevator pitch: Your new colleagues will be curious about you, and knowing how to introduce yourself on the first day of a job can be tricky. Anticipating their questions will help the conversation flow.

  Remember to explain who you are, your new role, where you used to work, and a fun fact or two. Don’t practice too much. You want your speech to sound natural, not rehearsed.

• Prioritize your well-being: Practice self-care to help reduce your new job jitters. Try meditating or repeating some positive affirmations to put you in a better state of mind.

  And try your best to sleep well: anxiety lessens sleep quality, which can make your nerves even worse. You want to wake up feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to take on the day. 

15 tips for nailing your first day

The first day of your new job is here, and you feel a mix of anxiety and excitement. Remember: you’ve got this. These tips will help you get through the day and make a great first impression:

1. Arrive early

Plan to arrive at your new place of business 10 to 15 minutes early. Give yourself a few minutes to get used to the environment before you get started. And leaving home earlier means if you hit any delays, you won’t be too late. If you work remotely, log into the system beforehand to avoid snags.

2. Calm your spirit

It’s okay to feel nervous. Take a few minutes to steady yourself. Try listening to a podcast that makes you happy, practicing mindful breathing, or repeating affirmations for imposter syndrome to yourself to boost your confidence and settle your nerves.

3. Smile

With so much going on, you might forget to put on a friendly face. Let coworkers know you’re happy to join them and excited about the opportunity. Displaying confident body language and making eye contact while being open and friendly is a great way to connect with the group.

4. Show interest in your coworkers

Start a conversation with your new colleagues and use active listening and icebreaker questions to learn more about them. Asking questions improves people’s impressions of you, and it helps you build relationships. Your coworkers will be your best resource throughout onboarding and beyond, so let them know you’re eager to get to know them.

5. Pay attention to office culture

Observe the social and professional landscape to identify any unwritten “rules” that can help you navigate office politics. Some workplaces might encourage conversation throughout the day, and others might limit it to breaks. 

6. Accept lunch invitations

If your manager or team members offer to take you to lunch, accept. It’s a great way to network and gives you the chance to ask in-depth questions about your role, company culture, and what they do in a more casual atmosphere. If you don’t receive an invitation, take initiative and ask a coworker or manager to join you for coffee.

7. Ask questions

This is the time to clarify any unclear roles and responsibilities. The onboarding process should answer most of your questions, but you can always follow up with your manager or HR department later. 

8. Take notes

Write everything down, from where the office manager keeps supplies to how to access your email. If you get stuck, refer to your notes before asking your coworkers for help.

9. Be fully present

You don’t want to appear distracted during onboarding, so be sure to turn off your phone and engage fully with the process. Take notes, ask questions, and give the person training you your full attention.

10. Listen and observe more than you speak

You can learn a lot by sitting back and watching how your team behaves. Observe other people’s communication methods and decision-making processes. Knowing how these two things work can help you integrate more easily into the company culture.

11. Project positivity

Your coworkers are observing you as much as you’re watching them, so display your positive attitude and work ethic. Try to show your genuine interest and excitement about the job.

12. Avoid office gossip

You want to contribute to a healthy work environment, so keep your interactions as positive as possible. Watch out for red flags like excessive office gossip or potentially toxic behavior.

13. Hold off on making any judgments

Give the job and your coworkers a chance. You might not love everything about your role immediately, and that’s okay. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude. Everyone has a bad day at work sometimes, and you can’t judge a workplace just by your first day.

14. Practice gratitude

Before going home, take a moment to thank your boss and coworkers for a great first day. Include specific references to events that made you feel welcome and comfortable. You can even send an intro email to your new team to reiterate your excitement.

15. Be yourself

Your boss already believes in you, or they wouldn’t have offered you the job. So relax, and let your personality and work experience shine. 

If you work remotely

Remote work can feel isolating, and you might not feel the same welcoming atmosphere as you would in a physical office. Even if you work from home, the tips above can still help you feel more connected with your team. 

If you’re starting a new job remotely, here are some extra tips: 

• Test your WiFi connection ahead of time, and log on early

• Introduce yourself to your team by emailing or posting to the group chat

• Turn on your camera during meetings so everyone can see and get to know you

• Avoid distractions by turning off your cell phone

• Show you’re paying attention and are ready to work by taking notes and asking open-ended questions

5 ways to keep up the good work

Now that you’ve put a successful first day behind you, keep that positive momentum going. Here are some ways to stay on the right track:

Schedule a one-on-one meeting with your manager: Studies show that meeting a new boss within your first week improves your performance and sense of belonging. Booking a one-on-one meeting shows your enthusiasm and helps you get to know each other.

1. Ask for feedback: You want your new boss and coworkers to know you’re engaged and invested, and a great way to do that is to ask for feedback. It also lets you adjust your workflow if you do make a mistake.

2. Be proactive: Look for opportunities to improve processes, learn new skills, or help coworkers. Taking the initiative shows your investment and tells your team they can rely on you.

3. Keep asking questions: Continue engaging yourself and posing questions. Even if it’s been a few weeks or months since you started, it’s better to ask now than wonder later.

4. Be kind to yourself: Even if things go perfectly, starting a new job can be stressful. Continue to find ways to reduce your new job anxiety. Go for a walk, talk to a friend, or plan some time for self-care to unplug and relax. You’re doing great. 

Start your new job strong

Your first day on the job is important, but it’s only the first of many stretching before you. It’s okay if things don’t go perfectly. Beginning a new position is a learning experience, and mistakes are powerful teachers. You’ll have the chance to get things right tomorrow.