Essential Items to Bring on Your First Day at a New Job

Last Updated on September 30, 2024

Attending your first day at work can be thrilling yet nerve-wracking, even if you’ve had previous job experience. As a new hire, you probably want to leave a good impression on your bosses and colleagues. If so, it’s best not to forget the essentials you need at work, so you don’t inconvenience yourself and those around you.

The key to a successful first day is proper preparation and attention to detail. Even the simplest items can provide you with a lot of help in getting the job done. Packing your work essentials can also ease your nerves by ensuring that you’re ready to face whatever comes your way. If you want to be well-equipped on your first day, below are eight things you should bring to work:

Identification Materials

You can’t head to work without the proper identification materials. This includes government-issued IDs like your social security card, passport, and driver’s license. Identification papers—like your birth certificate—may also be necessary depending on the requirements of your company.

Unless you were issued a company ID ahead of time, these materials are needed to grant you entry inside the premises and get your employee paperwork in order. For secure storage, ID cards can be kept in a wallet or card holder. Additionally, you may want to consider attaching your IDs to custom lanyards, so you can wear them and keep them with you at all times.

Banking Information

Most companies use direct deposits for employee salaries, which is a fast and secure way of receiving your income. It’s best to bring your banking information—like your account number or routing code—with you on your first day. This way, your employer can make the necessary arrangements to help you settle in to the company’s payroll system.

Notepad and Pen

You’re usually given a lot of information during your first day on the job, and this can be quite overwhelming if you don’t have the means to keep track of these developments. In these situations, keeping a notepad and pen with you can be a lifesaver. Use them to take note of important information as it’s being imparted to you, like company protocols or passwords. You can later transcribe these notes to a computer or smart device, so you’ll always have backup copies that you can refer back to.

Watch

If your company has strict mobile device usage rules, then it may help to bring a watch with you. An analog or digital wristwatch should suffice, and will surely help you manage your time when you can’t access your phone.  

Mobile Phone

Even if your company may require you to limit your use of mobile devices, your phone is still a beneficial item, especially on your first day. It acts as your main line of communication during emergencies and helps you keep in touch with your employers or colleagues. To keep your working environment distraction-free, make sure to mute unnecessary notifications and set your phone to silent or vibrate mode.

Water Bottle and Food

While many companies have an in-house canteen or restaurants nearby, there’s no guarantee that yours will, so it’s best to pack your own food and drinks. Do keep a water bottle with you at all times to stay properly hydrated. Packing some nutritious snacks—like granola bars and fruits—will satiate your hunger in between meals while keeping you healthy. This also reduces your expenses as you won’t need to spend too much on dining out. 

Stain Remover Pen

Imagine this: you spilled tomato sauce all over your white polo shirt while eating some pasta during your break. It’s a mortifying thought, and no new hire wants to walk around the office in badly stained clothing. However, accidents can happen during work, and though they’re embarrassing, the best thing to do is to hold your head up high and use a trusty stain remover pen.

A stain remover pen is a portable, pen-shaped tool that contains a special detergent mixture to take away pesky fabric stains. All you need to do is uncap it and apply it onto the affected area, so you can quickly recover from food or beverage spills.

Sweater

The temperature in some offices can get really chilly, especially when employers prefer to keep the air conditioning on at all times. If you’re sensitive to the cold, make sure to pack a comfortable sweater to keep warm. Do ensure that the sweater abides by your company’s attire regulations and matches your outfit, to maintain a presentable appearance.

It’s perfectly natural to feel nervous before your very first day of work as it shows that you truly care about your career. To make this day a memorable and pleasant experience, it’s always best to prepare the right items for the job (quite literally). Remember, being well-equipped to enter the workforce shows that you are professional, competent, and responsible, which will definitely leave a good impression on those around you.