First Day at Work? A Survival Guide For Fresh Grads

The first day at work can be a nerve-wracking experience. After all, starting your first job is officially the start of a new life. Welcome to adulthood! Your experience at university led up to this day. After polishing your resumé, sending out cover letters, braving nerve-wracking job interviews, waiting anxiously for the offer, and finally signing up for your dream role, things are turning to reality. If you think that finding a job is hard, well, the hard work is only about to begin. 

The first day at work is crucial, especially if you subscribe to the belief that life is about making good first impressions. And you can bet that as a fresh grad, your new colleagues will definitely have some preconceived notions about you. Nervous? It's perfectly all right to feel a little tense. You may not know what's going to happen on your first day. You may not know any of your colleagues. You may be navigating freshwaters, but you can still prepare. With an ample amount of prep, you'll not only calm your first-day jitters but you'll make a lasting impression in your new workplace.

How Do I Survive My First Day at Work?

Anxiety always comes along with every new experience, but try to channel that into excitement instead. Ask any experienced employee and they'll tell you that the first day at work as a fresh grad is never as bad as it seems. Don't overthink it. Be enthusiastic and eager to learn. Try to be friendly and confident, too. 

Don't forget to give yourself some leeway. You're not supposed to know where everything is and how everything works. Are you afraid you may not know your way around? Don't be. Ask where the human resources department is. Use these seemingly small opportunities to strike up a conversation with your colleagues. For example, when you ask your officemate where the powder room is, you may catch a curio on their desk or a poster of their favourite band. You can use those details to initiate a conversation about it. 

Don't be ashamed about not knowing too much. Any reasonable superior or workmate would understand that this is your first day at work. You shouldn't expect to get everything right the first time. 

Apart from your workplace demeanour, here are other ways you can get ready for Day 1. This survival guide can help you feel more confident and even stand out. Read on to know what to prepare for your first day of work – starting with the night before.

The First Day at Work Survival Guide For the Fresh Grad

What to prepare the night before:

What do you wear on your first day at work? 

This advice is not just for fashion-conscious individuals. It pays to be conscientious about what you wear, especially on the first day of work, as it will be the first time your colleagues will see you. Your outfit helps form part of the impression.

At this point, your HR manager may have likely briefed you on the expected dress code in the workplace. More traditional firms and industries such as finance may expect you to show up in a more traditional dress code such as business or business casual attire.

A more creative or non-traditional industry such as an ad agency or a production company is usually more flexible about fashion conducts. Ask the hiring manager about this once you sign the offer or even a few days before your expected start date. 

Regardless of the dress code, keep it professional. Avoid showing too much skin on the first day (For the ladies, keep the neckline reasonable and your midriff covered. For men, maybe don't start with your ripped jeans.) Wear closed footwear. Whatever length your hair may be, keep it organised and away from your face. 

Plan your route ahead of time.

You may think to yourself, “But I already know where my workplace is!” While that may be true, you will be integrating your new workplace into your daily routine for a long time. Being new to the office, you may not be completely familiar with the area — such as whether the road across it is busy or if there is parking nearby or within the building.

Consult a map and check out the perimeter of your office — are there any known one-way streets there? Is a specific section closed off? Is traffic particularly heavy on one street? These will help you plan your commute more smartly and efficiently. Remember also to scout for any nearby parking areas, especially if you are bringing a car.

Plus, when it comes to your first day at work, you can never be over-prepared. Perhaps you miss a turn and run into traffic or face an unscheduled disruption on the bus or the train. It pays to familiarise yourself within the vicinity of the workplace so you can calculate precisely the right amount of time it takes you to prepare in the morning and get to work on time.

Get a good night’s rest.

It pays to start a new beginning with a good night’s sleep. Having enough rest the night before helps you stay sharp, alert, and awake for your first day at work.

A proper night’s rest also calms down nerves. You already can't help feeling nervous so don't add to it by lacking sleep! As you adjust to the dynamic of being in a workplace and learning all you can on the first day, having the right amount of rest will provide you with the energy you need until the end of the workday.

What to prepare: In the morning

Don’t skip personal hygiene.

While this goes without saying, having good hygiene is very important on your first day at work, especially in making good first impressions. A morning shower helps you clear your thoughts and energises you for the day. Moreover, brushing and flossing your teeth and wearing deodorant can help you avoid any potential social faux pas.

With hygiene, every detail matters. This also demonstrates that you are detail-oriented, even when it comes to aspects of your personal life.

Have a good breakfast.

It may be tempting to skip breakfast, especially if you are in a hurry. However, a good and filling meal provides you sufficient enough energy for work.

Prepare a pumped-up playlist for your commute.

The right music for your work commute can help you get into the mood for work and enhance productivity. A study by Harvard Business School shows that staying productive while commuting eases stress and pain related to being stuck in traffic. Using your commute time to ease into the work mindset allows people to feel happier about their jobs.

What to prepare: When you get there

Be friendly and confident, yet natural.

Even if you are shy by nature, strive to be friendly to everyone! Don’t just greet the higher-ups; say hello to colleagues, team members of a different department, and even the utility staff. After all, you will see each other regularly for a while.

Remember to be confident, warm, open, and natural. While you may feel the urge to impress, avoid a know-it-all attitude and remain open to learning about things you may not know. Your boss and colleagues will appreciate your enthusiasm to learn.

Keep an open mind.

This goes for learning and being receptive to new learnings, as well as striving to maintain an open mind when it comes to the workplace dynamics and processes. It is still your first day at work, so it is no surprise if you may be adjusting to a completely foreign dynamic and setting.

Ready for your first day at work? We hope this gets you started on an exciting career journey! Still, looking for the right career fit for you? Then #LetsGetToWork! Update your JobStreet profile so the right employers can find you. For more expert advice on building your career journey, visit the Career Resources Hub. You can also download the JobStreet app on Google Play and the App Store for easier access.