Today’s post is by Bethany Ramos.  

Although I now work freelance from home and don’t have to face a new office with a new boss on my first day of work, I am very familiar with the “first day of school jitters” when starting a new job or beginning a contract with a new client.

You know – the butterflies in your stomach you get when you’re starting a new job and have to make a great first impression? The pressure can be excruciating. But if you prepare yourself in advance and know what to expect your first day at a new job, it can make the transition much, much smoother.

How to Prepare Yourself for Your First Day at Work

Test drive your route

It’s important to practice your drive to work well in advance, especially if you are new to the city. As nerdy as it sounds, there’s nothing more stressful than showing up to your first day of work late. And there’s no quicker way to make a bad first impression than being tardy – enough said.

Research your boss

If you have never met your direct boss before your first day of work, take some time to do some Googling and check out their company profile. This doesn’t mean you need to be a super spy, but researching background information on your new boss will help you to better understand your immediate superior so you can relate and ask the right questions when necessary. Score!

Get comfortable with introductions

Networking is an important part of finding a new job, but it is also vital to building relationships at your new job. Be prepared to readily introduce yourself to your new coworkers, even if you’re a little shy. If introducing yourself to strangers isn’t your cup of tea, it may be time to break out of your shell. Practice introducing yourself to new people at a dinner party or at a friend’s house. This will help you to get comfortable meeting new people so that you can better acclimate yourself at a new office.

Be prepared for serious paperwork

Although you may have a wonderful anticipation of jumping into work on your first day, it’s not likely to happen. The odds are that you will spend a good portion of your first day at a new job in the HR department filling out paperwork. If you prepare yourself for this red tape in advance, it won’t be as much of a letdown.

Get comfortable with your surroundings

Although you may feel like the new kid at school, you do need to know where the bathroom, breakroom, supply room, and photocopy room are before you step foot out the door on your first day. Make sure you make mental note of the location of important areas.

What are your tips for the first day at a new job?