You’ve got the job. Now let’s get you ready.

First, enjoy this

You applied, you prepared, you got through an interview, and someone chose you. Take a moment with that before you start worrying about Monday. Tell someone. Have a nice tea. You’ve earned it.

The week before: get the facts

Most first-day nerves come from not knowing small things. So find them out. Your offer email or letter may already say. If it doesn’t, it’s completely normal to ask.

• What time do I start, and how long is the first day?
• Where exactly do I go, and which entrance? Is there parking or a staff door?
• Who do I ask for when I arrive?
• What should I wear? Is there a uniform, and will it be ready?
• What should I bring? Documents, equipment, lunch, safety boots?
• Will there be training or an induction on the first day?

Hi [Name],

I’m really looking forward to starting on [date]. To make sure I’m prepared, could you let me know:

- what time I should arrive and who I should ask for
- whether there’s anything I need to bring or wear

Thank you, and see you on [day].

Kind regards,
[Your name]

Do a practice journey if you can, at the same time of day. Buses at 8am are not buses at 2pm. Work out a backup plan if your usual route goes wrong.

Documents: what to bring and how to keep them safe

Your employer has to check that you have the right to work in the UK before you start, and they’ll need some details to pay you. GOV.UK’s guide to starting a new job lists the usual things:

• Proof of your right to work. For British and Irish citizens this is usually a passport. If you don’t have a passport, ask your employer which other documents they accept. If you’re not a British or Irish citizen, you may use a share code instead. GOV.UK explains how to prove your right to work.
• Your National Insurance number. It may be on a payslip or a letter about tax or benefits, or you can find it in the HMRC app. GOV.UK explains where to look.
• Your bank details, so they can pay you.
• Your P45, if you’ve had a job before. If you haven’t, they’ll ask you to fill in a starter checklist instead.

Some employers check documents before your first day. Others ask you to bring them in. Do what they ask.

On the day

Aim to arrive about ten minutes early. Not much earlier, because they may not be ready for you.

Your first day is often a lot of introductions, forms, a tour, maybe some training or a safety briefing, and watching someone else work. It can feel slow, or it can feel like too much information at once. Both are normal.

• Listen more than you talk. You don’t have to prove anything on day one.
• Ask questions. “Where are the toilets?” “When’s my break?” “How do I clock in?” Nobody expects you to know.
• Make notes if they help. Some people remember by writing things down. Some don’t. Do what works for you, but most first days have too many names and passwords to hold in your head.
• Learn names gradually. Write them down if you need to. It’s fine to say “Sorry, can you remind me of your name?” in the first week.
• Find out who to ask. Usually your manager or a named buddy. Knowing who to go to takes away a lot of worry.

Your contract and paperwork

Your employer should give you a written statement setting out the main terms of your job, like pay, hours, holiday and where you’ll work, on or before your first day. Some details can follow within two months. Read it, keep a copy, and ask about anything you don’t understand. Our guide to understanding a job offer explains what’s usually in it.

The first few weeks

Nobody is good at a new job immediately. It usually takes weeks, not days, to feel settled.

• Ask for feedback. After a week or two, it’s fine to ask your manager, “Is there anything I should be doing differently?” It shows you care, and it means no surprises.
• Expect to make mistakes. Everyone does.
• Look after yourself. New jobs are tiring, especially if you’re not used to the hours. Sleep, eat, and don’t fill every evening.

When you make a mistake

The best thing to do with a mistake is tell someone quickly, before it gets bigger.

That’s it. Say what happened, ask what to do, and learn from it. Most mistakes at work are easy to fix when they’re caught early.

When to ask for help

Ask straight away if:

• you’ve been asked to do something you haven’t been trained to do, especially with machinery, chemicals, money or customers’ personal details
• you feel unsafe, or you’ve seen something unsafe
• you don’t understand an instruction, even after it’s been explained once
• you’re struggling with your hours, your workload or how someone is treating you

If you can’t talk to your manager, there may be another senior person, an HR contact or, if you’re an apprentice, someone from your training provider. For questions about your rights at work, Acas has free advice online and a helpline.