What to do on your first day on the job

Starting a new job can be a nervous time. You have to learn names, schedules, and a heckuva lot of other information. But starting a new job can also be exciting. You’re at a new place with new people and starting a new job that you’re passionate about (at least you should be or you shouldn’t have taken the job in the first place). Whatever your current mindset, here are four things you should do on your first day to get started on the right foot.

Be early: Traffic is the worst. Unless your new office is on the route to your old office, there’s probably no way to know exactly how long your commute is going to take on your first day. One helpful tool is the social traffic app Waze. Thanks to other Waze users, you’ll be able to avoid traffic jams and speed traps.

Have your lunch for dinner if necessary: It’s the first day and more than likely you don’t know too many people at your new workplace. There’s no better way to get to know your co-workers than by getting out of the office, so if you get a lunch invite, don’t say no. But take your lunch just in case you don’t get a first day invite.

Ask questions: Make a list of questions you’d like to ask your new boss and if you get an opportunity to pick their brain, take advantage. When you’re having casual conversations with the people you’re now working with, use that time to find out important office info like “What kind of coffee do we have?”

Have fun: You obviously took this new job for a reason, so be happy and excited that you’re in a new place and take it all in. Get a good feel for the new team and culture that you’re a part of and have fun settling in.