First day at work: prepare for your new role

Ask about the arrival time, meeting point, first-day schedule and any dress guidance. Confirm what you should bring and who your contact is if something changes. These are practical questions to resolve before travelling to the workplace or joining the first call.

Read the information the organisation sends you. Its website and public channels can give you more context about the business, but your named contact can confirm the arrangements specific to your role.

You can send a short message: “I’m looking forward to joining on Monday. Could you confirm my start time, where to arrive or which call to join, and anything I should prepare? Who should I contact if I have trouble joining?” Adapt the details to your agreed start.

Check the route and public transport arrangements before the day. Leave enough time to arrive at the agreed time without rushing. If you are unsure about entry or where to wait, ask the contact who arranged your start.

Prepare what the employer has asked you to bring. A notebook can help you record names, information and questions to return to later. Choose clothing that fits the guidance you received rather than trying to infer a dress code from a single photograph.

Confirm the time zone, first meeting link and how to contact your manager if you cannot connect. Follow the employer’s setup instructions and ask whom to contact about equipment or account problems. Let that person know before the day if something has not arrived or does not work.

Ask how introductions and breaks will work when colleagues are in different locations. Keep a list of names and responsibilities so you know where to take your next question. You do not need to solve a technical problem alone while your first meeting is starting.

Think about how you will introduce yourself. You can give your name, explain the role you are joining and mention relevant work or interests you want to share. Keep it natural and leave room for the other person to introduce themselves.

You do not need a polished speech. A short introduction and a question about the other person's work can begin the conversation. If the team shares a written announcement, the new employee introduction guide explains what that message can include.

Ask colleagues about the information and routines you need to understand. Listen to their answers and note anything you want to revisit. People may use terms or names that are familiar to the team but new to you.

A lunch or informal conversation can be a chance to get to know colleagues. Accept an invitation if it suits you, or ask how the team usually spends its breaks. There is no single performance you need to give to make a useful connection.

In a fictional financial aggregator, a new implementation colleague starts with a team introduction and a walkthrough of approved training material. Before the day, they confirm the meeting link, their manager’s contact details and the colleague available for practical questions.

During the walkthrough, an unfamiliar provider term comes up. The new colleague notes it, asks which reference to use and agrees who will explain it. They finish the day knowing tomorrow’s first activity and where to ask for help. Customer access and operational responsibilities still require the company’s own approval.

The open banking employee journey describes the employer’s role in arranging those people, introductions and learning. As the new colleague, ask about missing arrangements rather than guessing which system or contact to use.

Before finishing the day, check tomorrow’s start time and first activity. Ask which unanswered question to prioritise and who can help. A useful closing question is: “What should I focus on tomorrow, and where should I go if I get stuck?”

Discuss the priorities for your new role with the manager. Write down the questions and learning you want to return to. Ask for feedback as you begin practising the work, and tell the manager where you need more support.

The onboarding goals guide explains how to agree practical early actions. If you have a buddy, use that relationship for everyday questions and introductions while keeping role expectations with your manager.