Most people can remember their first job. But while it may be very far from being the pinnacle of your whole career, it is still a defining moment in your life; and there is a lot to think about as well. Preparing yourself to start your first job can take some time, depending on what you will be doing and where the job is located.
For example, some people may get a job working in a big city. If you live some distance away then you will need to arrange travel permits in order to make it quicker and easier for travelling to and from work each day.
Some companies provide an interest free loan to cover the cost of a travel pass. You may still need to buy a short term one to tide you over until you can get the loan though, so be sure you know what the situation is before you start.
Another thing you will probably need to think about is clothing. Some jobs require a uniform that is normally supplied to you, but that wont be the case if your position is based in an office. If you have come fresh from university, smart office clothing isnt likely to be a big feature in your wardrobe and that means you will need to think about buying some appropriate clothes to wear each day.
Therefore, once you have found out you have been offered that specific job it will pay dividends to jot down what you need to do before you show up on the first day. If you allow plenty of time to do this then you wont get caught out in a last minute panic either.
It is well worth taking a look at your finances too. University life is very different from your working life, and it makes sense to make that transition as smooth and pain free as possible. Make sure you know which account your new salary will go into, and have all the details to hand to give to your new employer.
Now is also a good time to think about setting up a savings account for the future. If you put away a small sum of money from each pay cheque you will set up a habit that will stay with you for life. Some people can find that starting a new job can be an expensive time. However, you can prepare for this by taking out a graduate loan to tide you over if needed. This can make the transition much easier to cope with, especially if you do have a lot of expenses to cover.
In the end you will look back on this time with fondness. But while you are going through it you should make sure you are as prepared as possible.
