Your first day at a new job – how to prepare and what to expect

The alarm is set for 4:30. Clothes are ready on the chair, documents are in a folder, the site address is saved on your phone. Still, sleep doesn’t come easily. Questions keep running through your head: will I make it on time, will I find the right entrance, will I manage, will anyone help me?

That’s completely normal.

The first day at a new job is stressful whatever your age or experience. A new place, new people, new rules and duties you don’t know yet. If you are starting work in another city or another country, there is also the language barrier and unfamiliar surroundings.

The good news is that you can reduce much of that stress before your first shift. You just need to know what to prepare, what to ask and what to expect.

Why is the first day so important?

The first hours in a new place quickly shape how you see the whole job. If from the start you know where to report, who your supervisor is and what is expected of you, it is easier to find your way and you approach the next days more calmly.

If, on the other hand, you feel lost on day one, don’t know who to ask and learn your duties by trial and error, frustration sets in. Many people quit after just a few days, not because the job was bad, but because the start was chaotic.

The employer is responsible for introducing you to the job. But there is a lot you can do yourself to make the start easier.

Before you arrive: what to find out in advance

Most first-day nerves come from things nobody explained beforehand. That is why it pays to gather the key information before you start. Ask your recruiter or coordinator:

• what time and at what address you should arrive,
• which entrance or gatehouse to report to and who to ask for,
• how long the first day lasts and whether it includes training,
• whether you need work clothes or safety shoes, or will receive them on site,
• which documents to bring,
• how to get there, including for a shift that starts early in the morning.

Write the answers down on your phone or on paper. If you talked with your recruiter about working conditions earlier, go back to those notes. Our Recruitment step by step page explains how the whole process works.

What to bring

Always confirm the exact list of documents with your recruiter, as it depends on the position and the type of contract. Most often you will need:

• an identity document, such as an ID card or passport,
• documents that entitle you to stay and work in Poland, if you are not a Polish citizen,
• a medical certificate from the pre-employment check-up, if one was required before starting,
• your bank account number for salary payments,
• a pen and a phone with your coordinator’s number saved.

It is also worth bringing something to eat and drink, especially if you don’t yet know how breaks work or whether there is a canteen or vending machine on site. For physical work, comfortable spare clothes come in handy.

The evening before your first day

The last evening before you start matters a lot. Get your documents and clothes ready, and check your route and departure time once more. If you travel by public transport, allow extra time in case of delays.

Ideally, arrive 10–15 minutes before the agreed time. You will have time to find the entrance, report to the right place and catch your breath.

Try to get a good night’s sleep too. The first day brings a lot of new information, and tiredness makes it harder to remember.

What does a typical first day look like?

Every workplace has its own rules, but in production, in a warehouse or in a hotel the first day often looks similar.

Formalities and documents

You usually start with formalities: checking documents, signing the required statements and reading the workplace rules. Your terms of employment should be confirmed in writing before you start work. If anything is unclear, ask for an explanation before you sign anything.

Health and safety training (BHP)

Before you are allowed to start work, you go through health and safety training. You will learn, among other things, how to do your job safely, what protective equipment to use, where the emergency exits are and what to do in case of an accident. This is not a formality. Your safety depends on this information.

Introduction to your workstation

Next, you get to know your workstation and the person who will show you how to do the job. At first you may work more slowly than experienced colleagues, and that is completely understandable. Speed comes with time.

Breaks and how work is organised

Pay attention to when the breaks are, where you can leave your personal belongings, where the changing room is and how the shift handover works. These small things make the following days much easier.

Don’t be afraid to ask

Many people don’t ask anything on their first day because they don’t want to look incompetent. That’s a mistake. Nobody expects you to know everything straight away.

It is better to ask twice than to do a task wrong or unsafely. Ask if:

• you don’t understand an instruction or the order of steps,
• you don’t know how to operate a machine or tool safely,
• you get different instructions from several people and don’t know which one matters most,
• you don’t know who to report a problem or an absence to.

If there is a coordinator at your workplace, save their number and ask what matters you can contact them about. This is the person who helps solve problems before they grow.

After the first day: what to look out for

After your first shift, take a moment to reflect. Write down what you learned, what was difficult and what you still want to ask. Also check that everything matches what you agreed with your recruiter: working hours, duties, breaks.

If anything raises doubts, talk to your coordinator or recruiter as soon as possible. Many issues can be sorted out on the spot if you raise them right away, not after several weeks.

And remember: the first day doesn’t have to be perfect. The first week is a time to learn and settle in. Every day after that gets easier.

A short checklist for the evening before you start

• the address, time and place to report to are saved on your phone,
• your documents are ready in one folder,
• you know the route and have extra time for the journey,
• you have comfortable clothes, food and something to drink,
• your coordinator’s or recruiter’s number is saved,
• you know what you want to ask on your first day.

You don’t have to do it alone

At KONO, your recruiter will help you prepare for your first day, explain the terms and answer your questions before you start.

See our current job offers or get in touch with us.