Five Tips To Help You Survive The First Day At Work

Well, where to start?

How does one face the dilemma of accidentally calling your boss “mum” or forgetting your lunch at home? Don’t worry: we’ll cover it all in my guide to the teeth-trembling, knee-knocking labyrinth of - dare I even say it? – your first day of work.

1. Get a good amount of sleep the night before.

We’ve all been through the “just one more episode” binge-watching black hole before. What started out as an episode before bed becomes a marathon. Now guess who’s going to be hitting the snooze button tomorrow morning? Go to bed early and wake up well-rested on the morning of your first day at work. Feel free to set an earlier alarm that lets you hit snooze, so you’re not in a deep sleep when your actual alarm beeps you out of that oh-so-romantic Harry Styles dream you were having. This way you’re not in a rushed headspace the next morning and you have enough time to prepare a packed lunch.

2. Make a point of remembering names.

You’ll really want to avoid the atrocious affair of forgetting your boss’ name, hand still mid-handshake, with sweat profusely tumbling down your brow. “Madelyn? Margaret?” Your brain stalls and you hear your mouth say it: “Mum.” To avoid this extraordinarily embarrassing first impression, make a connection in your head when you hear them say their name. For instance: “Margaret the Manager.”

3. Don’t be scared off by a communal lunch area.

You’ll find lunchtime quickly approaches in a work day, and so does the entanglement of tea room etiquette. “Where should I sit? Should I sit by myself? Why do I need laminated word art posters telling me how to use a microwave? Maybe I’ll just skip lunch.” Luckily, this third tip solves that social nightmare. Start conversations with co-workers: ask about their weekend, what other jobs they have been in, where they grew up, and so on. Chances are they’ll make room for you at their table and you’ll have a friend to ask where the restrooms are. (Seriously, if you’ve been sitting cross-legged all day, just ask).

4. Be confident and engaged in your workplace.

Don’t doubt yourself and just ask to borrow a pen or seek a little assistance when you need it. Your boss will love to see you involved with your workmates and respect your willingness to learn about your job. Through being engaged you’ll find yourself with an identity at your workplace too.

5. Be yourself.

I’m not trying to sound like some inspirational quote your Aunt Carol shared on Facebook, but those two simple words really are important and will help you out a heck of a lot if you follow their instruction. People pick up on authenticity and enjoy the company of those who are down to Earth. Trust your instincts and do you.

So there we have it: my official guide to surviving your first day of work. From tea rooms to team work, you’ll breeze through in style. Happy working!

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