VIDEO: Don’t make these mistakes on your first day at work

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