First day at work
Ready to get started
First time on the job? You may have some questions, so here’s some advice to help you feel prepped and ready.
- Get ready the night before - Pack a bag or get your things ready ahead of time. This saves you stress and makes you feel calm and prepared.
- Leave plenty of time to arrive - Obviously, no one wants to be late on their first day! So give yourself as much time as possible to get there, allowing for transport issues.
- Ask questions - It’s ok to ask, it’s your first day, so if there’s anything you’re not sure of, speak up!
A brilliant day one
Any new starter should be given a formal induction period — time to learn the job.
- Get a buddy - Pack a bag or get your things ready ahead of time. This saves you stress and makes you feel calm and prepared.
- Take notes - Sometimes when there’s lots of information to take in, it can help to write down important parts. If you’re given an induction pack or information about the company, do add your own notes.
- Read and reflect - When you get home, take time to reflect on how your day went, and look over any materials.
Getting off to the right start
How does software engineering apprentice Hassan recommend you prepare for your first day work? And what should your priorities be to help you hit the ground running?
I work weekends in a sports retail shop. I love sports, I’m quite a confident person, and I knew the interview had gone well, but I was still pretty nervous about my first Saturday on the job. It’s a really busy shop and customers can get impatient waiting to try on shoes.
When I got there it was good as there were two other new starters, so we could kind of help each other out. Everyone was friendly and no one expected me to know it all straight away. I got to learn on the job, by shadowing people and completing an induction. So yeah, my advice is don’t worry! It won’t take long to pick it up.