"Help, I don't want to go there!" Many people have this or a similar thought when starting their first day of work in a new office. Of course, the joy of getting the job offer is great, as is the relief of having successfully made it through the application marathon. But the nerves are just as intense! The following tips will help you get through your first day at work in your new job.
- First day at work: How do I get through the day?
- First day at work in a new job: What you should pay attention to when setting up your workspace
- First day at work setting up the office: Your desk and chair need to fit!
- First day at work and tips: Help, I'm so nervous!
- Conclusion
First day at work: How do I get through the day?
If you want to master your first day at work, the main thing is not to set your expectations too high. For one thing, not everything will go smoothly on your first day in the new office, and for another, some colleagues are bound to be sceptical of the newcomer. It can be especially difficult to become part of a close-knit team if you are replacing a colleague who has been there for many years. But rest assured: most new employees imagine it to be far worse than it really is! In reality, you are much more likely to receive a warm welcome and be greeted with open arms, along with a healthy dose of curiosity, of course. After all, your colleagues will want to know who they'll be seeing around more often from now on!
The first day at a new job often comes with the desire to get to know as many colleagues as possible. You want to be noticed – but please take it slowly! Social acceptance will come naturally over the next few days and weeks and does not have to be achieved on the very first day. Nor will you be able to complete every task perfectly. Let go of the idea of perfection and focus instead on a good onboarding. The first day in the office brings so many new impressions that it is almost impossible to get everything right straight away. Assume that mistakes will happen and own them.
CHECKLIST: WHAT TO WATCH OUT FORUse the following checklist for your first day at work to prepare mentally and remind yourself what really matters on the first day in a new job: |
CHECKLIST: WHAT TO AVOIDHowever, the checklist for your first day at work can also be expanded with a few points that you should definitely avoid or pay particular attention to: |
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✔ Punctuality Don't be late! It's better to allow plenty of time so that even a traffic jam won't throw you off course. |
X Addressing everyone informally On the first day, you should not address anyone by their first name! If you know someone personally, that's different. Otherwise, please wait until you're invited to do so. |
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✔ Clothing Try to find out the dress code at your new office in advance and dress appropriately. |
X Smartphone No social media in the workplace! |
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✔ Contacts Introduce yourself to your colleagues in a friendly way and, if necessary, make a note of their names. Ideally, you won’t have to ask again who’s who. |
X Know-it-all attitude No one wants a newcomer telling them what to do and how to do it. Please keep any suggestions for improvement to yourself! |
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✔ Workspace and enthusiasm You can set up your office and adjust the office furniture. Your first tasks will also be coming up. Please take things calmly! |
X Too many breaks Your colleagues will set the pace when it comes to how often and how long breaks are taken. Follow their lead and perhaps join them for lunch. |
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✔ Commitment and onboarding Show enthusiasm, but don’t overdo it. Be interested, but only in things related to work. Office gossip is still off-limits! |
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✔ End of the working day Use a combination of your employment contract and the usual office hours as a guide for when to finish work. Your colleagues are the best indication of the right end to your first working day. |
First day at a new job: What you should keep in mind when setting up your workspace
If you’re one of the lucky ones who gets their own office on the very first day, you can set it up straight away. Otherwise, it’s time to get the desk to decorate. However, if you want to decorate your office on the first day, you should avoid any kind of “territory marking”. No trophies, awards or signs of victory, please! Even the gold fountain pen should stay at home for now. To start with, just put the most essential work materials and stationery on the desk and take a look at what your colleagues’ desks look like. Personal photos are also out of place on your first day in a new job! If you still need anything, it’s best to make a list that you can give to the person responsible for this within the company.
Setting up your office on the first day: desk and chair must fit!
New job, first day: this is where the question arises as to what is allowed and what is not. You’ll probably want to still be sitting at this workstation tomorrow, so you should do something good for your health and adjust your office chair and desk.
The optimal desk height is important on your first day in the new office as well, which of course also applies to the optimal seat height of the chair. Ergonomic principles apply here, not how long you’ll be working in this office! Then adjust the seat height and backrest angle, position the monitor on the desk and don’t forget the desk height!
Set everything up so that your well-being at work is taken care of, at least in this respect. If the furniture is completely unsuitable or cannot be adjusted to your height, contact your supervisor or the responsible person within the company.
First day at work and tips: Help, I’m so nervous!
Tips for your first day at work are always in demand, if only because most people get very nervous when their first day at a new company is approaching. It’s about meeting new contacts and having to set up the office . Some people go very quiet and shy because of the excitement, while others chatter away nonstop. Part of stress management in the workplace is not letting your nerves take over on your first day in a new job. On the first day, no one should be too pushy, but a healthy dose of curiosity and self-confidence is a good thing. The easiest way is to take your cue from your colleagues and try to follow their lead in terms of behaviour, breaks and working hours. First contacts are made quickly. Anyone who approaches others openly will soon be welcomed into the team. For shy types, the tips for the first day at work in the checklist above can serve as a point of reference and a kind of guide to help them find their bearings.
Conclusion
The first day in a new job is never easy, but anyone who approaches their new colleagues openly and politely, asks questions and is happy to answer a few too, will quickly become part of the office community. It’s important to show a healthy mix of reserve and curiosity. Your workstation is also a key focus and should be adjusted to suit you personally. Just don’t go overboard with the decorations!