7 Things Not to Do Your First Day on the Job

It can take a while for anyone to get settled in at a new job, which is why it’s always important to try to get off on the right foot. For anyone about to report for work at a new place, here are 7 things not to do your first day.

 

  1. Arrive late.

    Seems obvious, but you might be surprised how often it happens…and people notice.

2. Empty the coffee pot and don’t refill it.

If you use the last of the coffee, at least ask a co-worker where the coffee is so you can make more—if there’s a designated coffee brewer, they’ll let you know.

3. Scroll through Facebook during a meeting.

That is so 2017.

4. Hawk cookies, magazines, or other merchandise from your kid’s club’s current fundraiser.

Maybe buy something from one of your co-worker’s kids first?.

5. Take a 90-minute lunch break.

Even if your boss isn’t tracking your time, your co-workers are.

6. Check your favorite job search sites.

At least give the new job a couple weeks before deciding it’s not for you.

7. Get caught up in office gossip. Do listen – you want to get a gauge on what people think – but don’t contribute.

Share personal info about yourself.

8. Wait until you know who you can trust.

Some of your co-workers will likely become good friends – but you don’t know who they are yet.

 

Related Stories

02/01/26: Cynopsis Jobs

jobs8

Sunday February 1, 2026 CONVERGENT TV WORLD 2026 Turning Support into Leadership Power Mentorship opens doors. Momentum moves careers. At this Convergent TV World town hall, industry leaders unpack how advocacy, peer connection, and intentional leadership translate into lasting advancement across media organizations. REGISTER NOW    FEATURED JOB PROFESSOR OF THE PRACTICE: […]

Cynopsis 01/28/26: Not Such “Model” Behavior on Netflix

Wednesday January 28, 2026    IN THE NEWS During a CBS News all-hands meeting on Tuesday, editor-in-chief Bari Weiss outlined her plans for the storied brand – and she didn’t mince words. “Our strategy until now has been to cling to the audience that remains on broadcast television. I’m here to tell you that if […]

Cynopsis Sports 01/27/26: Peacock Introduces Rinkside Live

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM WURL   Tuesday January 27, 2026 Good morning! It’s Tuesday, and this is your monthly Cynopsis Sports newsletter. Congratulations to the Indiana Hoosiers for accomplishing an unthinkable turnaround to win a college football national championship. It’s a timely reminder that anything is possible in sports—even in the midst of […]

CynCity

Cynsiders

Instagram