The first day at work

Getting the appointment letter after a round of interviews may feel great but in reality your true test starts on the job

The first day at work

Getting the appointment letter after a round of interviews may feel great but in reality your true test starts on the job. The first day at office can be daunting for most of us; and if it's the first day of your very first job, the jitters can be worse. It helps if you know what to expect on the first day of your new workplace. The general first day scenario goes like this:

For first timers: First day of your job can be both uplifting or upsetting.
So, try and concentrate well

Where do I go?
It's highly unlikely that there will be a red carpet rolled out and a smiling hostess will guide you to your office - so head for reception and ask for your supervisor, or if you are not aware of who your supervisor is ask for HR who will guide you. The receptionists are usually pleasing, so talking to them may take away some of your apprehensions. If the person is busy, wait patiently, it does not do to antagonise anyone on the first day.

Introduce yourself
You will most probably be taken around the office and introduced to employees in different departments as well - this is the time to try and remember as many names as possible and also make a note of who you could turn to for assistance in your particular job. Your immediate department members and colleagues will be high on your priority list. Don't make any immediate assumptions based on first impressions - save your judgement.

Orientation session
Every company normally has an orientation that they run their employees through - this would include a brief background of the company, its vision and goals etc. While you may have already seen all this on the company's website, be attentive. Orientation with your superior will also include exactly what are the expectations from you - what protocol needs to be followed, paperwork to be done, chain of command etc.

Settling in
On the first day of the job, while you won't be expected to put your shoulder to the grinding stone; you do need to get your act in order. Get your work email ID created, find out where your desk will be, fill out any forms that HR will require of you, familiarise yourself with what your department is working on and their manner, it could be different from what you are accustomed to.

Office layout
Get your directions to the canteen, water cooler, washrooms etc. Some offices can be on two or three levels and others can actually seem like a maze!

What's left unsaid
The first day on the job is also to observe and collect the information on things left unsaid. This would include the dress code that other employees are following, how often you can take a coffee break, whether the company is comfortable with personal items, like family photos, on your desk, use of the office phone and internet etc. The first day is when all your questions will be entertained, so be sure to have your question bank with you because later you may not find everyone as accommodating.

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