Your first day and first week at a new job set the tone for your entire tenure. The goals are to make a strong first impression, build relationships, understand expectations, and get oriented with your new workplace.
17 steps across 3 sections
1. Before Your First Day
- Confirm logistics — Verify your start time, location, parking, dress code, and who to ask for when you arrive. Test your commute route.
- Gather required documents — Prepare identification (passport, driver's license), Social Security card, banking information for direct deposit, and any paperwork HR requested.
- Research the company — Review the company's history, core values, recent news, major products/services, and competitors.
- Prepare your wardrobe — Determine whether the dress code is business formal, business casual, or casual, and create an outfit that reflects the code.
- Prepare questions — Write down questions about company culture, team structure, job responsibilities, and expectations.
- Get a good night's sleep — Set your alarm with enough buffer time to arrive 15 minutes early.
2. First Day
- Arrive early — Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your start time.
- Bring essentials — ID and documents, a notebook and pen, a water bottle, lunch or money for lunch, and any personal items you need.
- Meet your team — Be pleasant and courteous to everyone. Smile, make eye contact, and learn people's names. Ask again if you forget rather than avoiding the topic.
- Listen and observe — Your purpose on day one is to get oriented. Listen carefully, take notes, and ask questions when appropriate.
- Clarify expectations — Ask your supervisor about your role, immediate tasks, long-term goals, and team structure.
- Complete onboarding paperwork — Fill out I-9, W-4, benefits enrollment, and any other required forms.
3. First Week
- Learn the tools and systems — Get access to email, internal tools, project management systems, and communication platforms.
- Schedule 1-on-1s — Set up brief introductory meetings with key team members and stakeholders.
- Understand processes — Learn how the team communicates, how meetings are run, and what the workflow looks like.
- Set early goals — Work with your manager to define what success looks like in your first 30, 60, and 90 days.
- Take initiative — Volunteer for a small task or project to demonstrate engagement without overstepping.
Common Mistakes
- Arriving late on your first day
- Not bringing required documents (delays onboarding and payroll)
- Talking too much about your previous employer
- Trying to prove yourself by taking on too much too quickly
- Being glued to your phone during orientation or meetings
Pro Tips
- Keep a "first 90 days" journal to track what you learn, key contacts, and ear...
- Identify the informal leaders and culture carriers on your team early
- Ask your manager: "What does success look like in this role at the 30/60/90 d...
- Learn the unwritten rules (when people actually arrive, how communication wor...
- Set up recurring check-ins with your manager for your first month