Congrats on landing your first job – this is an important milestone in your life! Starting a first job is a new and possibly scary experience for you, so we have come up with 5 tips on how to get through your first day and thrive in this new environment.

1. Get organised

There is nothing worse than feeling like you’re on the back foot and playing catch up right from the start. So before you start your first job make sure you are organised to hit the ground running. This includes showing up a little bit early, being in uniform or dressed appropriately and comfortably, being aware of any deadlines or big events coming up and setting up your work space so you feel comfortable and ready to go every day.

2. Work on your positive self-talk

Getting over your first job nerves takes a bit of practice, but once you’ve mastered positive self-talk you will be so much more confident. Learning how to control your self-doubt and turn it into something constructive and positive will have a big impact on your success. Remember that everyone has been in your position and the more you practice, the easier it gets.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Entering the workforce for the first time can be a scary time and you may feel quite overwhelmed. People may be scared to ask for help because they feel like a burden and feel like needing help is a sign of weakness. However asking for help when you aren’t sure of what to do is actually a sign of confidence and strength!

4. Make some friends

Chances are you’re going to be spending a lot of time with your new co-workers, and surviving your first job will be a lot easier (and a lot more fun) if you get on well with your colleagues. While they don’t need to be your best friends, developing a bond with your colleagues is important if you don’t want to feel alone. Go out for the occasional lunch or coffee. Be sure to ask questions about their lives – you never know, but you may have a lot more in common with these people than you originally thought.

5. Back yourself

Most importantly, don’t worry! You are going to make mistakes, especially in the first few weeks, but everyone knows that you are new to this and nobody expects you to perform incredible feats straight away. So before you panic, remember that no one is perfect, everyone has to start somewhere and you’re allowed a few mistakes (just as long as you learn from these mistakes).

Good luck in your new role!