Congratulations, you’re starting a new job! That’s fantastic.

You are likely feeling a mixture of emotions. Excitement about starting a new position but perhaps some nerves about what to expect and the challenges you may be facing in the days and weeks to come.

Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to make sure your first day is a success. Below, I walk you through a few tips to help set yourself up for success.

Let’s dive in.

Find Out What to Expect

A lot of stress when doing anything new comes from not knowing what to expect. Fortunately, you can have a lot of control over how in the weeds you might be on your first day at a new job.

One simple tactic is to simply ask your new employer about what the expect. You should know the following:

• Start date and arrival time

• What you should wear

• Typical daily hours

• The plan for the first day

Knowing these things will go along way to helping you battle any first day jitters.

A lot of companies will have new hire onboarding processes already in place that might answer a lot of these questions.

If not, you should be asking these questions. It also sets a good precedent with your employee. Managers want to see their employees engaged and prepared, and you are letting them know you mean business by asking some basic questions about your first day.

Find Out How to Prepare

Along with knowing what to expect, you should find out if there is any paperwork or documents you can take care of beforehand. A lot of companies will have an onboarding package, that can include things like company policies, org chart, and training materials.

It’s a good idea to get your hands onto these things early and be ready when you arrive.

Show Up a Bit Early

Remember to plan to show up a bit early on your first day, this way if something unexpected happens like an accident on the highway, you won’t be late. If you arrive super early, you can always go to a coffee shop to kill some time. That’s much better than arriving late.

It’s also not a bad idea to test out the commute prior to starting so you know what to expect. What may take 20 minutes during non-rush hour time, may take you an hour during regular business commuting time. Be prepared.

Be Nice and Build Relationships

It’s your first day and you want to get off to a good start. Make sure you are friendly with everyone you meet and try to start establishing relationships with your co-workers.

A simple way to get people talking is to ask them for help, advice or ask about their jobs. Most people are happy to share what they are working on with people that express interest. It’s a great way to break the ice with a new team.

Ask for Feedback

Throughout the day, make sure you ask your manager or whoever is training you for feedback. See if they have any specific advice for you or suggestions for how you can improve.

Don’t Stress Too Much

Bottom line, don’t get yourself too worked up about your first day. Most people will have some nerves, it’s natural, just go with the flow and try to be yourself. You were hired for a reason, so trust that and put your best foot forward.

Final Thoughts

It’s natural to have some jitters when starting a new job, but if you follow these simple tips, it will go a long way to helping you manage your nerves. It really comes down to being prepared, being open with relationships and feedback and trying to be yourself.

We have all been there, so don’t stress yourself out too much. Good luck!