Starting a new job is an exciting but testing time when you will face many new challenges.

While you may be justifiably proud of yourself for having completed the application process successfully and secured the position you wanted, this is not a time to rest on your laurels. Thinking about how you will approach the first few days and weeks in your new job and planning ahead for any potential issues you will face will help you to:

• reduce your stress levels
• become productive more quickly
• be accepted by new colleagues more quickly
• prepare for the cultural differences in your new organisation
• significantly reduce the potential for embarrassment which can arise in a new situation