30 People Share The Worst And Craziest First Day At Work They Had

Workplace expert Taylor noted that we're all being evaluated more closely when we first join a company. Whether we like it or not, that's human nature for you. "No hiring manager wants to feel like they made a mistake. And they do want you to succeed. So a thorough onboarding process can benefit both sides. The flip-side of course, is that bosses must avoid any tendency to micromanage their new hire," she explained to Bored Panda.

"When you join a company, managers generally want to make sure that you have all the tools you need. Training is a priority—so by definition, you will be more in the spotlight. Since first impressions are critical, this is a good time to be aware of your work ethic, enthusiasm, and establishing your personal brand."

Meanwhile, good managers are bound to be "somewhat empathetic" to the extra pressure that new hires are under. "They should give you a little slack—knowing it’s a challenging time for most mortals," the author of 'Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant' said.

The expert was kind enough to share with us a few ways to "put your best foot forward in a genuine way" during your first day at work, while also steering clear of trying to overly impress others.

"Demonstrate your strong work ethic and dedication. You want to let your manager and others know you’re a team player and care about the results you deliver. You don’t need to go overboard and work at the office until midnight, however. If you work crazy hours, you may set false expectations, or convey that you have no life outside of work," Taylor told Bored Panda. "However, if you lean toward one side of the work ethic pendulum, putting in the time to learn the ropes in the first few days is a better career option."

Something else that can leave a positive impact is asking questions. "No employee is expected to know all the nuances of a new job on the first day. Asking thoughtful questions as you’re being onboarded will demonstrate your desire to do your best, and expedite your success," she said.

"Highlight your upbeat, can-do personality. It’s often said that managers hire attitude. All things being equal, given two candidates with identical skills, the most positive, professional person will always advance more quickly. Offering to help out and being a resource to others is also a good way to demonstrate your level of commitment," the workplace expert said. What's more, being friendly really does count.

"It sounds basic, but since attitude matters, try to become acquainted with key team members, while still accomplishing the day’s tasks. Take notes on those you meet… their names and responsibilities."

Meanwhile, the expert suggested avoiding the 'superhero' temptation. "In one’s zeal to impress, it’s easy to go overboard. Pitfalls include: 

• Acting like you don’t need as much training because you already understand the job very well.
• Indicating that you did things differently at your former job or intimating your way seems superior. 
• Being too vocal at meetings, posturing, or challenging others. This is a good time to be in more of a listening mode in general.
• Biting off more than you can chew. Suggesting you have the skills to do much more than required could backfire later."

Moreover, your first days at work can be a great opportunity to "establish a strong foundation of your personal brand." Workplace expert Taylor advises being aware of how you interact with others, what your presentation is like, and how you want to come across.

"Substance, meaning the work you deliver, will always be paramount. But savvy business professionals know, for example, that it’s important to remain professional at all times for optimal career advancement."

Like it or not, first impressions really do matter. Especially in a workplace setting. And that goes for both new employees and managers alike! A good first impression means that you’re someone who’s memorable and will stand out from the crowd. You should strive to find a balance between being professional and friendly.

‘Indeed’ notes that you want to be remembered if you have ambitions to rise to a leadership position. Ideally, you want to appear confident, charismatic, intelligent, and empathetic—no matter how small the interactions with your coworkers or clients. In short, you want to show off your positive (potentially) managerial qualities, no matter how much of a greenhorn you might be.

Appearances are very important when it comes to leaving those lasting initial impressions. You want to take the time to really focus on your appearance—from your clothes to your hygiene—and body language. Try to maintain eye contact, smile lots, and exude confidence through your body language.

For instance, you wouldn’t want to keep your hands in your pockets or cross your arms while you’re hunched over and looking beyond scared. Be in control of your posture, slow down your movements, and actively listen to your new colleagues before speaking.

‘Insider’ suggests using your first day to be proactive. Introduce yourself to others and get to know your coworkers. The extra effort is going to be well worth it throughout your career, but you may need to go outside your comfort zone if you’re naturally a shy individual. Those connections are going to come in handy when you inevitably find yourself in a tough situation. 

Though it’s important to ‘click’ with everyone at the company, don’t feel like you have to pretend like you’re someone you’re not. Be professional, but be yourself. Avoid creating the impression that you’re trying too hard to get everyone to like you. People admire authenticity, not pretense.