Most graduates have a shock when they enter for the first time on the labor market and discover that it is not what they expected. So:

1. Be realistic. Most graduates are very idealistic about the way in which their job will be. They expect to be received by the company, to have the permission to solve the major problems and go home extremely satisfied of their work. But it's not like this. The first responsibilities won't be significant and neither interesting.

So, expect for the worse and hope for the best.

2. Be organized. The life of a student no longer fits with the hard work of a company. In the past, it was considered as being creative to have an unorganized office, but now, it isn't anymore. If you give the impression that you're unorganized and unrealistic, you're colleagues will think that you do the same when it comes about your work. So do not give them reasons to believe that.

3. Imitate. In the first day of work you can receive tasks which you don't know how to solve. The secret is to notice the way in which the others do that thing. So try to look on those who know what to do, notice them, listen to them and do the same as them.

4. Find your place. You spend your time doing what you wanted, when you wanted, how you wanted. Now you will be part of a team. Discover what's your place and how your job interacts with the position of others. Put yourself in their place, not before leaving your pride at the door.

5. Shut up and listen. You must learn to communicate with others in a very short time and the best way to do this is to listen to others. Just by listening to them you can create a connection to them. So maintain eye contact, approve and conclude immediately to the things that have been said.

6. Dare. When you find yourself in a new situation, you tend to stay away, but in the first day of work it's not recommended to do so. Show that you have initiative. The secret is to be obliging without being arrogant. When you don't trust yourself, you tend to hide this issue and increase your aggressivity. So, be active but not aggressive.

7. Hurry. Time means money and your boss expects you to earn that money by working fast and efficient. Avoid rhytm interruptions and don't let distracted. Discard out of the habit that most students have: the postponement. So learn to master the art of doing, planning and getting rid of useless issues.

8. Stay calm. During the school years, it was natural to loose control. It was expected to make troubles. But at the present work place you're not allowed to act as a boss. You may give the impression of not being mature enough.

You don't have to lose control in your first day of work. Try to count to 5, breathe deeply and take a break when you feel you need.

9. Adapt yourself. In college you could choose your friends but at work you can not choose your colleagues. And, of course, you won't like them all. Moreover, some of them won't be nice to you. When you come across difficult people, the best thing is to avoid to get in relations with them. So don't leave yourself caught in competition and adversity with them.

10. Help yourself. You will certainly have a lot of problems in the first day of work. It is not as it was in school, where a teacher was solving your problems. Now, you're on your own. If you get stuck, try to find the best solution and ask your superiors for there opinion or agreement. In both situations, they will appreciate that you think about your work.

And this is never a bad start.

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