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The Definitive Guide to Acing Your First Day at Work

Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, especially when you're an apprentice navigating a totally new experience. You’ll want to make a good impression, connect with your team, and feel like you’ll fit right in. Those worries are completely normal.

If you need some reassurance, have a read through our guide for some easy-to-follow tips. Let’s get into it.

Jump To:

How do I prepare for my first day at work? How do I make a good impression? What can I expect on my first day?

How do I prepare for my first day at work?

One week before

Do your research

No one should start their first day at work without researching the company beforehand. Check out the company website, read recent press releases, and browse their social media to understand what they do and stay up to date on all the latest news and trends in the industry.

Test run everything

If you’re working on-site in an office, make sure you test your journey. That way, you’ll know when to leave the house each morning and won’t be late.

Force a friend (like I did) who knows the area to guide you. If you were like me, the first day of my placement year was one of the first times I’d have to go on the tube alone, which honestly felt more daunting than the actual day itself.

If you’re working from home, check your laptop, software, internet speed and connection. A quick tech check now means fewer surprises later.

One day before

Confirm your schedule

Reach out to HR or your recruiter to double-check the basics. Knowing these details upfront helps you feel organised:

What time to arrive
What time you can leave
What to bring with you
How long your lunch break is

Plan your wardrobe

Treat your first day as an apprentice like an interview. Wear something comfortable to avoid standing out for the wrong reasons!

If in doubt, think back to your interviewers. How were they dressed? Were they in casual or formal clothing? Or even check the company's social media for clues about their dress code.

Remember, you can always develop your personal style once you’ve settled in and know what feels right.

How do you make a good impression?

First day

Arrive early

It goes without saying, but do arrive early - especially on your first day.

It shows you're taking the role seriously and gives you a moment to settle in before things kick off. Within an apprenticeship or placement year, your first three to six months will likely be probationary, so if you want to pass this period, punctuality is key.

If you arrive extra early, find a nearby coffee shop to sit in for a few minutes. Then you can head into the office when it’s time to.

Get organised

Your first day will most likely be the quietest in terms of workload, so make the most of it. Familiarise yourself with your inbox, create folders, to-do lists and calendar appointments.

Carry a notebook and jot things down. Now is your chance to listen, observe and soak up as much information about the business as you can.

Make sure you have your passport, bank account details, national insurance number and P45 from your previous employer ready. You might need them.

Connect with your colleagues

You'll spend most of your week at work, so building friendly relationships with your colleagues and other apprentices or interns around you makes a real difference to how you feel day-to-day.

Starting conversations is simpler than it seems. Here's an approach that works:

Questions relating to yourself:

Introduction: What’s your name and title? Which team will you be joining, and what does your role entail?
Background: What industry were you working in before? Are there any parallels between your previous and current employers?

Questions relating to your colleagues:

What’s their role in the company?
What is it about the company that interests them?
What do their responsibilities look like on a daily basis? Which teams do they collaborate with?
What sort of projects are they working on?
What are their favourite restaurants?

Accept lunch invitations

While it’s tempting to hide behind your computer screen all day, if someone invites you to lunch - ACCEPT. You might be shy and wish to keep to yourself - don’t.

What can I expect on my first day of work?

Knowing what to expect is the first step to making sure you are…

A. confident walking into the office for the first time and…

B. know exactly what to bring with you so you’re prepared.

While larger companies may require you to complete a more lengthy onboarding process, generally, the day should look like this:

Getting set up: You'll receive your work laptop or computer and have time to get familiar with it. Someone will help you install the software you need. Make sure to keep track of passwords in a safe place - you'll create a few new accounts on your first day.
Office tour: Someone will show you around - the kitchen, social spaces, and where everything is.
Meeting your team: You'll meet your manager and the other interns or apprentices. This is usually done through a casual team introduction or a quick round of hellos.
One-on-one with your manager: You'll likely have an individual chat where they can get to know you and answer any questions you have.
HR meeting: HR will walk you through company policies like time off, payroll, and training opportunities.

Hear from Declan, our new Campaign Assistant:

"I have recently joined the team at Higherin, and my first day was such a positive learning experience for me. It's always nerve-racking starting somewhere new, but I found a lot of comfort in the small conversations I had with new coworkers. Those little relationships I built on the first day have helped me massively to understand not only the work environment but my own work as well."

Feeling slightly more confident now? Honestly, the best thing to do is not to stress much! You’ve already done the hard part - you got the job. People genuinely want to help, and asking shows you're engaged and eager to learn.