First workday?

This is how you behave

It's the first Monday of a new month. If you have a new job, there's a good chance you start today. Nodding knee, turning up a quarter of an hour early in front of the building, terrified of forgetting all the names, no idea how the copier works or where the copier even is. Just hang in there, if you keep this in mind, you won't miss the mark.

Keep your cool

I always find it strange when someone behaves like one of the guys on their first workday. Be nice, listen to your colleagues' stories, but don't join in the conversation. Not even if you have a great anecdote up your sleeve. That can come later. Of course, you can ask questions and give a nice answer when asked something, but don't act like one of them. They have built that rapport over time; you can't just step in at the same level.

 Imagine

Shake hands with everyone, look others straight in the eye and try to find a mnemonic right away to remember the names. That will earn you bonus points. You can definitely make a cheat sheet. Fleur is that woman with the beautiful, red curls. Small tip; make sure you come up with positive mnemonics. Imagine someone sees your list and ‘that beautiful bunch of curls’ sounds a lot nicer than ‘her with those awful Birkenstocks.’.

It's particularly nice if you shake hands with people you don't directly work with. For example, we have lunch with the guys from TV company PilotStudio.. One of our interns stole my heart by going around the long lunch table to greet everyone. Terrifying, of course, but so brave.

Dress for the company

I always go shopping before I start a new job. Just like the first school day used to call for a shiny outfit, the first workday deserves an outfit too. However, it turned out that was always just the wrong choice, and that look somehow didn't fit the company. It's better to play it safe on day one with an always-good outfit like jeans, a blazer, and a cool but not overly extravagant heel. Once you get a feel for the taste and culture, shopping is a good idea. If you work in the editorial office of Marie Claire, you'll look business feminine, and at Elle you'll likely opt for an understated normcore outfit. Each company has its own style signature. Of course, you don't give up your personal taste, but it's wise to adapt to the prevailing norm.

Don't talk about your previous job

Just like don't mention the ex it's wise to remain silent about your previous job. If you speak too positively, you send the signal that you'd actually rather have stayed there, and with negativity, your new colleagues will think you're not trustworthy. You live in the here and now. This is your world.

Ask questions

I personally find it very annoying when someone comes to work with me who doesn't ask anything but also doesn't deliver what I want. You have people who nod halfway through a sentence and say they understand what I mean, but show the opposite in everything. So listen carefully and ask a question afterward that shows you got it.

Show love for the company

Ask if there are documents you can read to better root yourself in the organization. Take them home so you can learn more about the company without it affecting your tasks.

 Be on time

You should definitely be on time, but in such a first week, it's important not to miss a train or encounter an open bridge. Also, don't arrive too early; that's a bit strange too. As for going home, don't close your laptop at 6:00 PM and run to the train. That radiates so little work ethic. Ask if you can do anything for others, have a small chat with your colleagues, and feel out what the best moment is to leave.

Good luck and know: after two weeks, it will seem like it has always been this way.

beedcredit: imdb.com