Are you about to resume your new job? Here are 8 things you should never do on your first day at work

You must have heard that one of the most unforgettable and interesting days at a new job is usually the first day. How true is this? Very true, I must say. This is because your first day at work can determine quite a lot. This includes whether or not you will be having a nice time on your first day at work. As you’ll need to get to know your new coworkers, create a good first impression, set up your workstation, and learn about the rules and culture of your new workplace.

You must be wondering what you can do to make your first day at work a great one. Well, you are in luck because, in this post, we’ll go over what you shouldn’t do on your first day at work to make it a perfect one.

8 things you shouldn’t do on your first day at work

1. Don’t dress unprofessionally

You must have heard the adage that says “The way you dress is the way you will be addressed ” and do you know that our brain analyzes trustworthiness and likeability in milliseconds before we’re even aware of it? Make the finest first impression you can—after all, you’ll never get another chance to do so.

2. Don’t Make Assumptions About your hours of work

When y employed, your boss should tell you when to arrive and when to leave. If it’s a few days before your start date and you haven’t received those specifics, call or email your contact person. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’ll know when to arrive and risk being late.

3. Don’t overlook the importance of training

Upon starting a new job, many organizations require new workers to go into an induction or training algorithm. While it may be tempting to skip or ignore these sessions, do not do so. Your training managers are watching you, even if they aren’t your immediate superiors. Avoid any activity that can cause a training manager to report your actions to your employer and coworkers.

4. Arrive on time.

Arriving late for a new job is the easiest way to make a bad first impression. If you do, you will undoubtedly make a negative impression on your manager and coworkers, and you may even be fired.

If the office is 30 minutes away, for example, you might consider leaving 45 minutes before your set deadline. Nevertheless, if traffic adds 20 minutes or more to your journey, you will be late. So, keep in mind all of the things that could cause you to be late and practice your route before the real reporting day.

5. Don’t be unnecessary quiet

It’s time to put your ego aside and ask the most insane questions you can think of. I believe it is quite natural, especially on your first day, to have no idea what font to use when typing reports, how to enter budget expenses into a spreadsheet, or how to defeat the magical dragon that lives in the furnace. It’s not a stupid question if you don’t know the answer. You may simply have an inept boss, who is unaware that you must slay the dragon before it awakens to avoid a scene.

6. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

Consider your new position as the next exciting step in your professional journey. Expect to not be able to learn everything at once. It’s all new to you, and it’ll take some getting used to. Take a deep breath, compose yourself, and realize that you aren’t expected to get it all at once if you feel anxious.

7. Clock-watching

In most cases, your first day at work will consist of introductory meetings and minor assignments. This will not keep you occupied for the entire day, but staring at the office clock is the worst thing you can do.

Make yourself useful, even if it means doing a tea round, during these times. At the very least, it will keep you occupied and prevent your gaze from wandering to the clock.

8. Accept the invitation to lunch.

On your first day of work, if you’re lucky, your supervisor or some coworkers will invite you to lunch. This is a no-brainer for starting a new career — just do it! Lunch is a terrific time to talk in a more informal setting, learn more about the individuals you’re eating with, and even get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the office operates.

Do not participate in the conversation if it becomes about office gossip. Keep track of who speaks the most and make a note of it. Ask as many inquiries as you can. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about your new coworkers than just their job titles.

Take away

You may believe that once you acquire the job, you may relax after honing your CV and impressing your employer during the interview. However, the first day is just as crucial as the rest of the process.

Instead of stressing about all you need to accomplish, know things you should avoid on the first day at work.