Firstly, congrats on the new job! Not only have you just done the hard yards at university, but to go through numerous application processes and to come out with a job, takes some doing. Take a minute to reflect on your success - too many of us just ignore these big achievements!

Now, this is your time to shine…

Preparation, preparation & more preparation

No one wants to start a job without knowing what to expect. And yet, that’s exactly what most people do. To be clear, most companies will have a solid HR onboarding process which should take you through all the key people to know (last thing you want to do is start talking about your drunk antics to the CEO whilst grabbing a coffee from the office kitchen), however, you should take time preparing for your first week:

• Have a trial run to the office and see how long it takes
• Research your team on LinkedIn and understand if they have any common interests
• Plan & lay out your work attire the night before
• Find the closest cafe and grab yourself a coffee with plenty of time to spare

Introducing yourself to others around

I am sure you have heard the saying, “first impressions are everything”. Well, unfortunately it is true - science has proved that first impressions linger and people remember their initial judgement of when they first met you. However, let’s look at this in a positive light. If you create a great first impression, people will be inclined to help and support you. Make sure you introduce yourself to everyone you meet - eye contact, natural smile and positive energy are all key. It’s great for your colleagues to see your confidence and excitement to be part of their work family. And always remember, in the words of Ricky Gervais “Relax and be happy. No one else knows what they’re doing either'.

The dreaded work wardrobe… what to wear on your first week

We’ve all been here. The stress of a work-wardrobe is a nightmare, especially with more important things to think about (like actually doing your job). First things first, don’t be afraid to ask before you start - the HR team or your manager will not mind you asking. If you don’t ask, try and remember what your interviewers were wearing when you met them. If this still doesn’t ring any bells, always go smarter and tone it down if needed (remember what I said about first impressions…)

Take opportunities to meet people outside the office

Work socials are important for team bonding. If you have an opportunity to meet people outside a work environment, then jump at it. To confirm, this is not me telling you to get wasted on your first week. What I am trying to say is that you can build strong relationships with your colleagues when you start to get to know them. It may feel uncomfortable at first, and slightly awkward, but your team will remember that you made the effort with them, even if it’s a quick 15-min coffee run together.