A poll of almost 3,000 UK workers has revealed the top 30 worst nightmares that can be experienced on the first day at a new job.
Among the most cited incidents are, unsurprisingly, turning up late wearing the wrong clothes, being over-dressed, crashing into a colleague’s vehicle in the car park, spilling tea everywhere, getting lost en route to the office and saying something inappropriate out of nervousness.
The study, conducted by promotional retailer 4imprint ‘First Impressions’ campaign, shows almost half of workers have had a terrible first day at a new job, with 95% stressing how important it is to them to make a good first impression on others.
And more than three quarters (82%) believe they’re more likely to make a positive impact on their first day if they know they’ve got their clothing spot on.
72% wish they had a uniform for work, claiming it would have made their first day – and consequently first impressions – easier to manage. Here’s a handy video to help you avoid the above fates:
And here’s the nightmare first day list in full:
BRITISH WORKERS’ TOP 30 FIRST-DAY NIGHTMARES
Learned someone’s name then immediately forgotten it
Got someone’s name wrong
Was just too nervous
Finding I had no computer / desk to work at
Said something stupid due to nerves
Arrived at the wrong work address
Turned up completely overdressed compared to everyone else
Worn shoes that ended up being agonisingly painful by the end of the day
Had to have something simple explained numerous times
Got there late due to traffic
Being told I wasn’t the ‘first choice candidate’
Forgotten the code to get in or out of the office
Got there late due to public transport problems
Put your foot in your mouth during a conversation with someone
Turned up completely underdressed compared to everyone else
Been over friendly
Accidentally sent a sensitive email as a ‘staff all’
Made someone’s tea wrong
Said something inappropriate to a new colleague
Got there late due to other reasons
Damaged company property
Spilled tea everywhere
Took too long on a lunch break
Got the company name wrong
Went to the wrong address
Asked how to turn your computer on
Had a wardrobe malfunction like trousers splitting
Took a personal call that was frowned upon
Worn a tie when nobody else was wearing one
Had to leave early due to a family emergency
