Once the countdown to your new opportunity has started, the build-up to the first day can be daunting. Rather than spiralling in the time leading up to it, here are a few things to consider:

Whether it's a hiring manager, HR representative or the person who interviewed you, having a line of communication with someone from your new organisation will get you off to a good start. They should be in contact with the logistical information you need before you begin. Getting back to them promptly and politely will create a positive impression.

If you're joining an agency, this might mean looking at their recent work, case studies and previous clients, or if you‘re joining a brand, familiarising yourself with other companies in their landscape. Digging on LinkedIn and the 'About' pages on company websites will be your friend. Don't be afraid to go full detective!

If you're missing any key logistical information as the day draws closer, don't panic. You should be told these details in advance, so reach out and ask if you're confused. Remember, it's never a silly question if it's worrying you! You may want answers to the following:

• When and where should you arrive on your first day?
• Will they provide equipment or do you need to bring something, including any specific software?
• Are there work-from-home days in the working week?
• Does the office have a dress code?
• Is there documentation to sign or provide before your first day?
• Are you being asked to travel or are there any unexpected items that require a cost? Are they covering this?

When the first day comes around, once you've remembered the basics like being on time and knowing the dress code, presenting yourself confidently and calmly is easier said than done.

Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, even the most confident people face first-day nerves. Remember, even the most senior people at your new workplace had their first day at some point!

Here are some tips from our Guide to Public Speaking and Battling Nerves that might help:

Try repeating the following breathing exercise to bring your heart-rate down, and hopefully you will start to feel much calmer:

• Breathe in and count to eight
• Breathe out
• Hold and count to eight again

The more positively you think, the more confident you will feel. If negative thoughts, anxiety or doubts creep in, try saying the word “Yes” in your head, each time they arise. This acknowledges the thought, but dismisses it as it happens. You can also try affirmations like “I'm going to do well!”

Power-posing, whether at home or in a private space like the toilet, is especially useful for shaking out those nerves and getting our adrenaline pumping. Find some great advice on this here, and reap the assertive – and powerful – feelings it brings.

Learning the new names, environments, systems, software, and methods of working on your first day can feel overwhelming. There are ways you can present your best self, but remember everyone should be understanding and not expect you to absorb all the information instantly.

The idea of 'staying present' can sound pretty vague, but simple methods like active listening and writing things down can show your new colleagues that you're engaged.

Although it might be tempting, resist the urge to get some comfort from your phone. The group chat might be desperate to hear how your day's panning out, but they can wait till your lunch break.

Whether it's on your laptop or an old-school notebook, don't try to remember everything off the top of your head. If you need a minute to write something down or review it, don't be afraid to ask – it's not a memory test!

It can be easy to feel like once you've been offered a job you should have all the answers. This isn't the case! Great impressions are often made from curiosity, and this involves asking lots of questions. When you first join an organisation, the more you ask, the more you'll learn.

Asking for clarity in an open-ended and non-judgmental way is a good start. Try these sentence starters if you're feeling stuck:

• Please could you elaborate on…
• Could I get more clarity on...
• Please could you specify these further for me...
• Would you be able to offer more detail on...

It can be hard to know when to ask questions when you've just started, especially if everyone around you seems super-busy. If you note down your questions in your notebook or laptop, you can save them to ask when someone has time to help.

Morwenna Morgan, designer at Human After All, suggests: "Find someone you trust to ask questions but also understand that they need to get their daily jobs done. When I started, I kept note of questions if the moment wasn’t suitable and brought them up later or with someone more specific."

In this survey by the Center for Career Development and Talent Acquisition, an organisation supporting university graduates across the US, 95.5% of employers cited communication skills as the most important competency they look for in new hires. So, how can you make a good impression with your communication skills?

Shahina Ahmed, senior designer at Revolt London, advises: “Start by establishing an honest and open relationship with your manager. Have a conversation about your strengths and areas for development."

As well as asking questions, learning the lingo of your new workplace will also help. Check out our New-Starter Glossary Guide for info on knowing your 'asset' from your 'appraisal', or this helpful resource from d&ad about advertising vocab specifically.

Overall, there shouldn't be pressure to 'fake it till you make it'. If you need clarity on tasks, terms or team members, talk to your manager to break things down.

When settling in, showing an interest in your new organisation’s culture will also help make a positive impression.

This doesn’t necessarily mean feeling pressure to attend every after-work drinks, but might translate as learning your colleagues names, accepting that lunch walk invite or having a chat about interests outside of work.

Emily Morris, midweight designer at Elmwood London, adds that “being present doesn’t necessarily mean being loud or attracting attention,” so this advice goes for introverts and extroverts alike.

Why not ask what the person next to you is working on? Stephen Middleton, creative director at Art&Graft, acknowledges: “Although this can certainly feel a little awkward and difficult to do, you'll get a greater sense of what's going on around you and learn a lot about the team."

Starting a new job can often feel like you're under the microscope, but remember, it's just as much about whether the company is a good fit for you as you are for them. Here are some aspects to consider to make sure you've been well set up and are being supported.

While the term might be reminiscent of air travel, 'onboarding' describes the process of any new employee integrating into a new organisation. Usually starting on your first day, onboarding should ensure you start your new role with everything you need.

As part of the onboarding process you might expect the following:

• Being shown around a workspace
• Being provided with the correct equipment and necessary building access
• Being thoroughly shown the company’s systems
• Introductions to team members
• Signing the necessary paperwork
• Having the role explained in detail, to understand all expectations

If you feel a gap or something you feel uncomfortable about, why not use the sentence starters above? For example, "Please could I get more clarity on how to access the building?"

You should also be given a clear description of the role. You can refer back to ensuring the expectations match what was advertised as part of the interview process.

Onboarding is designed to make you feel more confident, but to make a good first impression in any environment, you need to be given the tools to succeed.

Is the office super-noisy? Do you have the correct equipment to work from home comfortably? Being able to be focused and organised is crucial to settling in well. Communicating with your manager or HR representative about how you work best will show your willingness to do your best work.

If you need further support due to a disability or neurodivergence, this document by The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services suggests how may be best to bring it up with your new employer.

It's a case of knowing yourself and knowing what you need. Don't be embarrassed to express something that might help you do your job – everyone works differently!

Probation can sound more threatening than it is. Technically, probation is a period of three months or more during which both the employer and employee assess if they are right for the role. In this time, the employer is able to terminate the employee's contract without compensation or a legal reason.

It varies for freelance contracts, but in a full-time role, any organisation should make it very clear if you have a probationary period and how long it lasts.

Rather than something to fear, this time is a great opportunity for you to learn as much as possible and process whether you’d like to continue in the position. It's normal to make mistakes and have gaps of knowledge, and when it comes to passing or failing, there should be a chance to reflect with your manager on what could be working better.

Making a mistake early on in a job can sometimes feel like the end of the world, and instinct might make us want to blame ourselves, hide the situation and resolve it on our own.

However, communications consultant Caroline Roodhouse from Alive with Ideas advises being honest and kind to yourself – it’s often not as bad as you think. Have an open, in-person conversation with your manager, or people concerned where possible. In her words:

"It can sometimes be tempting to overthink and fill in any gaps with your own answers. This isn’t always helpful! Ask to speak to the person or persons involved when your emotions aren’t running high. Try to step away from the office or studio and avoid having the conversation over a screen. Get out for a walk to chat things over."

Based on our insight and advice from industry experts, we've summarised some key considerations for making a good impression in a new role. But remember, you can only do your best and success looks different to everyone.

✅ Plan and research for your first day

✅ Remember nerves are completely normal

✅ Focus on timekeeping and being on time

✅ Actively listen and stay present (put your phone away!)

✅ Take notes that you can refer to

✅ Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions; you're there to learn! Or make a note of them until it’s a good time to ask

✅ Try and say yes to opportunities

✅ Be open and interested in making connections with your colleagues

✅ Communicate with your manager if there's an issue, including if you're running late

✅ Make sure you have all the equipment and information you need – tell your manager if not

✅ Be patient! Allow yourself at least a week to get an understanding of the basics

✅ Be kind to yourself! Being rested, getting sleep and being healthy will help you succeed, especially in the first three months

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Special thanks to our Company Partners Alive with Ideas, Art&Graft, Elmwood, Human After All, Revolt London for their teams' input.