Starting a New Job Today?

Are you “swearing in” to your new job today? Whether you’re a spring chicken, career changer, or have an extensive background in your field to back you up, here are some tips to help you start off on the right foot.

1. Eat breakfast – and don’t forget the coffee!

Jumpstart your metabolism… and your brain. Take the time to make yourself a balanced breakfast with protein and complex carbs—like some egg and toast—before you launch into the next phase in your career. And unless you’re some kind of superhuman who can function without it, don’t forget your favorite brew.

2. Dress professionally.

No matter what your personal style is, play it safe the first day. Stick mostly to traditional colors and conservative cuts to ensure you don’t overstep a boundary you were unaware of.

3. Early is on time.

Arrive at least 10 minutes early. This creates an essential “buffer zone” in case disaster strikes en route (coffee spills, anyone?), and definitely gives your new boss the right impression. Plus, it provides your employer plenty of time to explain the schedule and give you any additional paperwork to fill out.

4. Take a water bottle. And lunch.

If you get hungry or thirsty, chances are you’ll be distracted and miss something important. Since you may not have time to take a traditional lunch break or scope out local dining options on your first day, bring something to eat and drink from home. That way, you can keep your mind where it belongs—your new job duties.

Oh, and make sure your snacks won’t stink up the office. Your new coworkers will thank you for it!

5. Bring a notebook.

And use it! You’ll get thrown a lot of new information the first day—and even the first week. Don’t rely on your overworked memory, because it will almost certainly fall short somewhere along the line. Just write down everything that sounds important, and refer back to it when you need it.

6. Get your area in order.

No matter what profession you’re in, organization is a timesaver. Grab what you need from the supply closet and set your workspace up in a way that makes sense to you. If you have a computer, create some preliminary folders on your hard drive by the end of the day.

7. Meet your coworkers.

You’re joining a whole new team, so it’s definitely worth taking the time to get to know everyone. Pull out those networking skills you used for your job hunt and get to work!

Advice for Your Future: Stay Tuned In.

Chances are, you plugged in to your industry’s news and trends while searching for your new position. Don’t leave that behind. Keeping up-to-date in your sector is a great way to catch attention and move up through the ranks.

Now that you’ve survived Day One (congrats!), it’s time to really get to work and prove yourself. Keep on the right track with expert on-the-job advice, and get ready to succeed with this new opportunity!