You landed a new role and just finished signing that contract. You’re feeling very accomplished and proud, just as you should be. Congratulations, you did it! But what happens next? The first few months in a new organisation are crucial. You will be introduced to a new environment and culture. You will meet new colleagues and others outside your organisation, such as clients. You’re filled with excitement and enthusiasm, but a week into the job, the impostor syndrome may start kicking in as you doubt yourself if you’re cut out for this new role. Don’t get ahead of yourself, and try not to let the pressure sink in. Here are a few tips to ease your way into your new job:

Do Your Research

Before your first day, do a bit of research on your new organisation. If you’ve already done this while preparing for your interview, that’s great! It will help frame your mind on what kind of environment you could be experiencing. It can also get you more excited than filled with worry.

Dress Professionally

Whether it’s onsite or remote work, remember to dress professionally. There might be a dress code at your new office, and it would be helpful to find this out through your manager or try to speak to someone from HR about it. If you’re working remotely, still dress appropriately and professionally. You might want to put on light makeup or use the makeup filter available on communication platforms such as Zoom if you are virtually meeting your manager and colleagues. While making a good impression is essential, it is equally important to feel comfortable. 

Arrive at Work Early

No one wants to be running around looking frazzled because they’re running late, especially on the first day. Schedule enough time to get ready and allow extra travel time if you need to be at the office. If you’re working from home, it might be tempting to sleep a little more. You might be hitting that snooze button way too many times, and before you know it, it’s already 10 minutes before your meeting starts. Having enough time to get ready will help ease the pressure, and you’ll feel more confident to start the day.

Introduce Yourself

Meeting people can be intimidating, especially when you’re the new person in the office. Don’t sell yourself short. You got this job because you’re qualified for it. Be assertive, exude positivity, and don’t forget to smile. An excellent first impression can go a long way, and the people you’ll meet in the first weeks or months may help your career growth.

Ask Questions

Every job has a learning curve. You may already be familiar with some tasks, but things could be done differently from one organisation to another. Asking questions can help you become more effective and efficient in your role. Give yourself enough room to make mistakes, too. They will happen, so don’t be too hard on yourself. No one will expect you to know everything right away. The training period is the time to make mistakes. However, your attitude about it and how you learn from those mistakes will matter.

Set Healthy Boundaries

Establishing a healthy work-life balance can start with you and let your manager know what you’re willing to do and what you’re not. For example, answering work emails on the weekend or picking up calls after work hours may be things that you’re not keen on doing. It’s best to set examples for these early on as it may give the impression that you’re okay with them otherwise.



Starting a new job is exciting, especially if it’s a role you’ve always wanted or an organisation you’ve always wanted to join. If you ever feel nervous, that’s okay. Your nervousness can mean you want to do well and create a good impression. Try not to let your nerves get in the way of having a great time at your new organisation. If you’re still looking for a new role, you can check out our live jobs here for more information. Good luck, you’ll do great!