First Day on the Job

Fact: I haven't posted in over a week.

Fact: It's because I started a new job.

Yes, you read that correctly, I received (and accepted) a job offer!  I started already and things are going great.  I won't go into details on here but it is in my field and where I want to be working (double bonus).

What I want to post is some things to make sure you do when starting a new job.

Night Before

• Get a good night's sleep.  You want to appear alert and enthusiastic about the new job, not tired.
• Pack your lunch.  Seriously, it'll shave off a little time from your morning routine.  Just don't forget to grab it on your way out.  Plus, you never know how easily you will be able to go and buy lunch on the first day, so unless they say they are taking you out to lunch, it's best just to bring one.
• Double check your email to make sure there are no changes in your start day.  Also, make sure you know what time you need to be there.

First Day

• It's a fresh start.  Remember: unless you are working with people you have worked with before, these people don't know the good and bad about you.  Therefore, it's best to show all your good aspects and hide any bad (hopefully throughout your entire time there).
• Meet people.  Make sure you meet as many people you will be working with as possible without being awkward or annoying.  
• Make sure paperwork is in order.  More than likely, there is either something HR forgot to have you sign or want you to do all of the fun stuff on day 1.  Make sure you know what you need to fill out (ie tax forms) and  when anything else is due (ie benefits sign up).
• Proper dress. You can usually gauge what the dress code is when you go in for an interview.  If you were too nervous at the time to take note, it's always best to ask HR (or just watch people going in and out the day before).
• Timing is everything.  Don't show up late.  In fact, plan to get there earlier than need to.  You can always wait in the parking lot.
• Find a stapler.  You may be laughing at this (or have a scene from Office Space going through your head) but in general, I mean to make sure that you know where basic supplies are in order to do your job.  It took me 4 days until I found a stapler to use for the multiple piles of paper I had accumulated the first few days.

Also remember:

• You still have to prove that you are the best choice for the job.  More than likely, you will be in a probation period your first few months so you still will be under scrutiny.  
• If you start slacking off on the job, people WILL notice (I always do when my colleagues slack) and trust me, it will take a while to erase that image.
• DON'T get involved in office politics.  You never know whom will talk to whom and once you get involved, it can damage your career.

Finally, I will share the best advice I received from someone in my field when you're a young professional breaking into your field: Keep your head down and do your work.  Ask questions when you have them and put your best effort in your work, no matter how small and menial the task may seem.

Things That Could Have Happened

Here are a list of things that could have happened in the time it took me to write this post:

1. A war breaks out
2. A conflict ends
3. A person who will change the world is born
4. A person who has changed the world dies
5. The stock market comes to a halt
6. The stock market soars (it could happen)
7. You met your soulmate for the first time (because by the time you read this, it's already happened)


Funny how much 5 minutes could impact the world, if only on a personal level for someone.

Clean Slate

There are a few things that I need to get done by then end of this year/early next year.

1. Be gainfully employed.

2. Have a clean place.
3. Move (if employed in my current city).
4. Finish my book.


Yes, the job search continues.  I recently I had a few interviews and am waiting to hear back.  I use the term gainfully employed because....well, partly because a friend says that to describe my current situation and I liked the sound of it.  I'm employed, just not in a job that uses (any) of my degrees.


Confession: since my mom came to visit this weekend, I did a little extra cleaning outside my usual routine.  Mainly got rid of all the papers I had in the guest room but it made me realize that I need to go through everything in here on day....okay, one weekend to throw out what I don't need and donate things that are still in good shape.  I also realized looking through my bookshelf that I have a lot of old textbooks that pleasantly enough, are still worth a pretty penny on half.com (my go to website to buy and sell textbooks).  So, I posted the four on there that were currently listed at a decent amount which, if sold, will yield me about $250  after listing them less than the lowest price already on there.

I came to the conclusion today that no matter what happens job-wise, I'm going to have to move.  This apartment costs too much for what it is and what I put up with (see my posts on noisy neighbors and bug of the month club).  I realize that it's in a prime location for the university and near the best parts of the city.  I became a little angry with myself when I looked online at apartments only 10-15 minutes away from this apartment and realized I could be paying, on average, $150 less per month for pretty much the same apartment.  I really don't need to be this close to the city and saving money is always a plus.

After thinking about this, I realized that moving requires, well, moving.  Meaning, I have to pack up all my things here, to move it there (wherever there turns out to be).  Which gives me another reason to do some spring winter cleaning.  Anything that would be worth the effort, will be put up for sale online, cheap things and clothes will be donated.

As for finishing my book, it's just a fun project that I would like to get done during downtime.