Your first day at work

Back to the playground?

You've landed the job of your dreams - the next thing to worry about is getting through the first day.

Starting a new job can evoke the same anxieties as the first day at a new school.

It's natural to have worries such as 'can I cope with the work load?', 'will anyone speak to me at break-time?' and 'where are the toilets?'.

Make sure you dress appropriately and follow the dress code if there is one. If you can't remember what it is, phone up and ask. Different work places have varying dress requirements and it pays to be prepared.

Make sure you turn up on time. Punctuality impresses and nothing annoys bosses or new colleagues more than late starters. Check out your route into work and do a dry run if possible.

Lunch break

Don't bring in a packed lunch at first. A friendly soul may invite you for lunch and getting to know your colleagues socially is always a good move.

Spend the first couple of days listening and checking out who's who and who does what. Be especially aware of the pecking order, queue jumping the managing director when buying lunch probably won't put you on a fast track to promotion.

If you're not sure about something, ask, even if it's just how to answer the phone. You can avoid embarrassing mistakes and everyone needs a little on-the-job training. Nobody expects you to know everything on day one.

First day tips Arrive on time Check the dress code Go to lunch with your new colleagues Relax and enjoy yourself

Stay at your desk as much as possible and look reassuringly busy. Try not to cause offence - it's better to be painfully politically correct for a few days than thought of as the office idiot.

One last tip - offer to get the coffee. It's a good way to score brownie points for niceness and it helps in getting to know everyone's names.