1st day at new job

[Otins]

I start a new job on Monday. It’s a permanent job within an industry I’ve been freelancing in for 12 years. It’s a change of role and is more admin/desk based. This is my first office type first day in 20 years! Other than smiling and trying to remember everyone’s name, what are your tips for a first day? Thank you

Good luck with your new job!

Take a pen, notepad and a mug with you.
Think of a few passwords to use.
Ask for a tour of the building (include post room/reception, kitchen, toilet fire exit and where to assemble incase of fire). Any meeting rooms, departments or areas you might need to visit.
Ask to be introduced to key people you'll be working with.
Be prepared to have your photo taken for website or access card.
Find out how to contact IT dept (telephone & email) incase you don't have a laptop or access permissions.
Write down your email address, group email and desk/dept phone no.

Take control of your own induction and training plan if it looks like they're disorganised or if they expect you to hit the ground running.

Bring lunch

Don't arrive late, leave early, do the bare minimum and expect to get a payrise. Be prepared to roll your sleeves up and get on with the job. Don't get involved with the office gossip and be polite and respectful to everyone from the cleaner to the CEO.

Expect to be totally overwhelmed and have information overload 😄 just smile a lot and write everything down!

Listen for clues.

Sold the insurance ‘claims handler’, OUTSOURCED job not meaning much. Hahaha.

Like I only took this job Because “ I needed cash”. ‘Day Manager’ People could not understand why someone who has had both character and professional references very much invaded on contact, doesn’t think this is professional BS to come out with.

“our night staff won us new business but we’ll treat em like s@it !” Again no nights manager to meet, why stick around. As the company induction process policy said don’t do leave nights staff strapped to a laptop without the manager inducting for it really is no substitute but some companies do, do this.

good luck - a lot of companies want to sell the dream of job but woefully fail to deliver. Will never never forget someone saying after taking 3 weeks to get in their only motivation was to earn cash for a wedding about to the cancelled. Why we had to hear this within first hour of starting is any sick saddo’s thoughts. Not about an its in toleration to the disabled or the indifferent.

Started on the Monday, quit by Wednesday afternoon, happy to explain why.

Take lunch .... most important!. Then notepad and pen for all the passwords and write down main contacts etc. Accept that you will probably feel mentally knackered by the end of the week. Also, its ok not to know everything by the end of week 1 !. Good luck and enjoy the ride

Thanks for the replies. I have a notebook and pen sorted already but the mug and ideas for passwords are great shouts. And I'm hoping to be good and take lunch in every day to save money so I'll start as I mean to go on (I reckon this'll last a few weeks tops but we'll see!)
It's PT so Mon/Wed/Thu, so I'm hoping this might help with the feeling knackered and overwhelmed part of it, as I'll have Tuesday off to process everything from Monday before having to go in again!

Take a water bottle and some paracetamol. You may well get a headache in the afternoon from concentrating.

Make sure what you're wearing is comfortable. Nothing worse than trying to take on board a load of new information and being distracted by uncomfortable clothes!

Good luck!

wear layers so if the office is too hot or cold you can remove/add a layer.