First day at a new job - Career advice, checklist and 3 important tips on what to bring!

You have convinced the company of your choice with your application and in the interview? And your first day at work is just around the corner? Fantastic! No need to worry if you're excited. This is totally normal before the first day at work and before starting a new job.  

So that you can win over your superiors and colleagues on your first day at work and make a good first impression, you will find a checklist and the 3 golden tips for your first day at work here.

Checklist - How can I win over on the first day at my new job?

The first day at work is about getting to know the company, your colleagues and your superiors. The first day at work is to familiarise yourself with the procedures and habits of your new workplace at your new job and to make a good start.  

So that you can convince your new environment (colleagues and superiors) of your competence on your first day at work, we have prepared a checklist for you: Here are the 10 most important points for your first day at work.

1. Notes on the first day at work

A lot of information will come your way on the first day. It is therefore a good idea to get a small notebook and a pencil before your first day at work. This way you can write down the most important information during your walk-through, introduction and  induction and read it again as needed or in the evening to let it sink in better.

2. Punctuality on the first day at work  

Punctuality on the first day at work is essential! If you are not punctual, it will leave an unprofessional and unreliable first impression on your first day at work. This could make for a very bumpy start on the first day at work.  

Therefore, plan enough time and a buffer of at least 30 minutes for your journey.  

3. Clothing/dress code on the first day at work

Your clothing also contributes significantly to winning over your new workplace on your first day at work! Follow the motto, "Clothes make the man!" It is your visual appearance that makes the first impression. So if you turn up on your first day at work in unironed, tattered, dirty or inappropriate clothes, your new colleagues might believe you to be incompetent.  

They may doubt your reliability, authority and orderliness. Therefore, find out the dress code that is common in your company and in your industry and make the appropriate preparations for the first day at work.  

4. Introductions on the first day at work

Every first day at work is different. But there is one item on the agenda you can be prepared for: the round of introductions to your colleagues. This can be done during a tour of the company or in an extra team meeting. In any case, you should be prepared and able to introduce yourself briefly.  

These include: Your name. Your position. What you have done previously.

5. Your workplace on your first day at work

The first day at work is also for you to settle in at your workplace. This includes, for example, setting up your desk, but also setting up your computer. This also includes registration with the corresponding accesses for your programmes, which you will need in the future for your new activities in your new job.  

6. Engagement/interest on the first day at work

On your first day at work, show interest in everything, both in your colleagues and  superiors, and in your activities. Be engaged and ask active questions and talk to somebody if something seems unclear to you. It is better to ask too many questions than too few on the first day at work, so that mistakes can be avoided.  

Also show general interest in the fact that you are looking forward to working together in future and show gratitude for your company and introduction on the first day at work.  

7. Induction on the first day at work

The first day at work also serves to familiarise you with your new area of responsibility and with the company in general. You will get an overview of the company and its structures, of your future activities and of upcoming projects concerning your field of work.  

Be grateful for every piece of information, every tip and every correction. This is the only way to get to know the working culture in the new company. Do not consider tips and suggestions as criticism of your person or performance. It is part of making "mistakes" in the beginning.

8. Lunch break on the first day at work

Usually, your contact person invites you to spend your first lunch break together on your first day at work. Here you can get to know the canteen, or the break room. The lunch break on your first day at work is often a good opportunity to go out for a meal with your new colleagues  to get to know each other better. 

Pay attention to how things work in your new company. To be on the safe side, pack something for lunch in your work bag. This way you're prepared for any situation: You can eat your own food , go to the canteen or a restaurant and then eat the food you brought with you in the evening after your first day at work. In any case, be flexible and take your cue from your colleagues.  

9. Contacts on the first day at work

Good contacts in new job are very important. They brighten up the working day and make teamwork significantly more fun. In addition, people work more efficiently when they are happy, so everyone benefits from a good working atmosphere. Use your first day at work to introduce yourself and build up a network. Because good networking can open doors for your further career.  

10. Closing time on the first day at work

The first day at work usually flies by! You have a lot of impressions and information to process. This is totally normal! That's why notes are so helpful. Before you go home, thank your colleagues for a nice first day at work. Usually they have also prepared for your first day at work, and they have put some thought into how they can make it as pleasant as possible for you. These efforts should be rewarded with gratitude.  

Make sure that you don't finish too early. Also, finishing work at exactly the right time will not make a good first impression on your colleagues on the first day at work. A good measure to use is the academic quarter (15 minutes). This means that if your working day goes until 18:00, finish between about 18:05 and 18:15. Unless there are still  time-critical tasks to be done. It is unlikely you will have such tasks on your first day at work, however.  

Career advice for first day at work - 3 golden tips for a good first impression!

Of course you want to make a good first impression on your first day at work. This is also important for future cooperation in the team. To make sure you succeed, follow these 3 golden tips for making a good first impression on your first day at work. These 3 soft skills are the keys to winning over your colleagues.

1. Openness

Always be open to new things. Approach your colleagues openly and  introduce yourself. Be open to new tasksand challenges and with time you will quickly settle in and feel comfortable in your new working environment.

2. Friendliness

If you start your first day friendly and with a smile on your face, friendliness will be reflected back from your new colleagues. This way you will quickly feel accepted and comfortable in your new working environment. You will also make a positive first impression and help win over your colleagues. This way you lay the foundation for the future working environment.  

3. Communication 

Communication is essential in every interaction between people. But it is especially important on your first day at work so that you can quickly find your way around your new working environment and your colleagues enjoy working with you in the team. Through good communication, it is also possible to establish a relationship of trust among colleagues. This is very important for a well-functioning workplace. If you are communicative and show interest by asking questions, this will definitely make a good first impression on the first day at work.