Congrats! After all your hard work and diligence, you got the job! Take some time to celebrate; do that happy dance, go to dinner with friends or family. After the initial excitement, it’s time to get ready for the first day of work. Once you accept a new position, the real work begins. It’s time to prove your professionalism starting on the first day of work. Make your life easier going into a new job by making a great first impression on both your new boss and new co-workers. Below are 5 tips and tricks on how to be successful on your first day of work.

Dress for Success

Know the position you are going into and the overall tone of the company when choosing your first day outfit. If you are going into a specialty position that requires a specific uniform or scrubs, be sure you know that ahead of time so you don’t come over or under dressed. If the company prefers business or business casual, find out what that means to them exactly. Do most of the employees wear jeans or are they more business slacks and a nice shirt? The best way to make a great first impression while also building your confidence is by walking in the door looking the part.

Time Management is KEY

The last thing you want to do is show up late on your first day of work. Prepare ahead of time by mapping out your route and managing your time. Make sure your vehicle is gassed up and ready to go the night before. Plan your time in the morning with at least 30 minutes to spare. This way if anything unexpected happens (traffic, forgot something and had to go back home, etc.) you have room and are not forced to rush.

Be Prepared for Anything

Some companies want you to hit the ground running, others use your first day as an opportunity for you to get to know the company and fill out paperwork. Be prepared to start working on day one but do not get upset if that doesn’t happen. Maybe your new manager wants to take you to lunch? Accept the invitation. Maybe they want you to watch a few training videos, be ready to do that. Go into your first day of work prepared for anything but without any specific expectations. This will help you go-with-the-flow without becoming confused or frustrated with the process.

Ask Questions

You may have experience in the position you are going in to, but remember it’s a new company with new systems and culture. Remain confident in your knowledge without coming across arrogant. Get as much information about the job and how they do things as you can. Now is the time to learn their systems instead of assuming you know and making a mistake down the line. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to add clarity when needed. In addition to asking questions, be sure you are taking notes so you don’t end up asking about something that has already been addressed.

Learn Your Team

If you get a chance to socialize with your new co-workers or boss, take it! Be friendly and get to know them. It can be overwhelming at times to meet a whole new team but do your best to engage with each one of your new teammates on some level. Focus on remembering names and any details they may tell you about themselves. Also, be prepared to talk about yourself. As the “new kid” they will surely be interested in you. Don’t feel like you need to give a lot of personal details about your life; a simple 30 second pitch about your work background, education and/or family will suffice. The easiest way to join a new team is to be open and friendly. Let them know you want to be apart of the team and not just here for yourself.

The first day of work can be nerve-racking and awkward. But follow these tips and tricks and you are sure to have a successful day. Dress the part, plan your route, go with the flow, be friendly and learn your team. You may not get it all right, but it shows that you are trying and genuinely want to be there. This will offer a great impression to both your new manager and co-workers.