What Should I Know Before Starting My First Office Job?

Starting your first office job is one of the strangest transitions in your twenties.

You go from the chaos of college life to sitting at a desk pretending to know what you are doing while silently wondering if everyone can tell you are faking it.

That quiet imposter feeling is incredibly common in early careers. I’ve written about that exact gap between confidence and reality in How Do I Build Real Confidence When You Feel Behind, because most guys are not unqualified. They are just new.

I have been there. I said in the episode that this is my first real job after college and that I have been in it for almost a year, and trust me, have I learned some things.

I work at a startup, but everything I am about to tell you applies to almost any first job. I am still figuring things out, but these are the things that actually made my life easier, made me more confident, and helped me feel like I belonged.

Here is what I wish someone told me before my first day.

Be present the second you walk in

One of the simplest things I learned is one that no one talks about. When you are walking into the office, take your AirPods out. Look up. Be available. I said it directly in the episode: “You truly never know who you’re going to see right when you walk in.”

It sounds small, but those first five seconds set the tone for how people see you.
When you walk in with your AirPods in and your head down, you look unavailable, even if you are not trying to.

This aligns with what workplace researchers have found about visibility and first impressions. Harvard Business Review has written about how nonverbal presence heavily influences how coworkers perceive confidence and competence Harvard Business Review on first impressions at work.

Being present is the easiest way to look confident without saying a word.

Say hi even when it feels awkward

Your first job will test your small talk skills in ways you never expected. Kitchens, elevators, hallways. The conversations can feel repetitive and boring, but they matter.

I said in the episode, “Just being present and not blocked off” is what helps people feel comfortable around you.

You never have to be interesting. You just have to be open.

If social awkwardness is something you struggle with in general, this connects closely to How To Introduce Yourself Without Feeling Awkward, because the same rules apply at work and everywhere else.

Learn the coffee chat mentality

If you want an advantage in your first job, it is this. Do coffee chats. Get to know people you do not work with every day. Ask them what they do, how they got there, what they like about the role.

You do not have to network like a robot. Just be normal and curious.

A few of my favorite questions from the episode:

• “What is the best thing about this company?”

• “What is something you would change if you could?”

• “Explain your role to me as if you were explaining it to an old person.”

People love these questions because they are simple and disarming.

And at the end of the chat, always ask what advice they have for someone new. Even if the advice is not amazing, tell them it was helpful. It makes the person feel valued and makes you memorable.

Career experts consistently recommend informal conversations like this for early growth. LinkedIn regularly highlights coffee chats as one of the most effective ways to build relationships and visibility at work LinkedIn on coffee chats and career growth.

Have a two minute story about yourself ready

This is something no one warns you about. You are going to be asked things like why you took the job, how you got into this field, or what you worked on before. Have a short, clean version of your story in your back pocket.

It does not have to be impressive. It just has to be clear.

Something like:

I had an internship at X. I realized I liked Y. That pushed me toward Z. Now I am excited to learn A and B in this new role.

Simple. Human. Honest. That is all people want.

This same clarity principle shows up in other parts of life too, which is why it pairs well with How Do I Write a Resume That Actually Works?.

Follow up after meetings and chats

One of the fastest ways to stand out when you are young is to follow up. Send a quick thank you message. Mention one thing you learned. Keep the connection alive.

As I said in the episode, connecting with them on LinkedIn after is a smart move. “You truly never know what can come from that connection years down the road.”

Most people do not follow up. You will.

Dress like someone who wants to be there

Your office might be casual. Mine is. But looking presentable matters.

I told this story in the episode because it actually happened: “There was a day that I opened the fridge and bent down to get a LaCroix and closed it and the CEO was literally on the other side of the fridge.”

Those moments matter. You want to feel good about how you show up.

And the biggest game changer for me was pulling my clothes out the night before.
I said it exactly like this: “This small act sets your mindset for the next day before it has even begun.”

It saves time. It removes stress. It sets the tone.

Psychologists often talk about how small preparation rituals reduce stress and increase confidence. Psychology Today has written about how appearance and preparation impact self perception at work Psychology Today on confidence and preparation.

Figure out your workout routine early

Balancing work, friends, dating, cooking, laundry, and sleep is overwhelming at first. You are not alone. I said in the episode, “All the things you have to get done or want to do on top of a nine to five job still stress me out.”

The one thing that helped me was locking in a consistent workout time.

For me, mornings work best.
I walk to the gym, work out, shower, and head straight to the office. When I do that, I show up more focused and grounded. When I push workouts to the evening, I lose half my night.

Your routine might look different. But choose something and protect it. It makes everything else easier.

If structure feels impossible right now, this connects closely to What To Do When You Feel Stuck, because routine is often the missing piece.

Celebrate the wins you control

Some days will be amazing. Some days will suck. You will mess things up. You will feel behind. You will question everything.

This is normal.

I said in the episode something I feel every week: getting up, getting dressed, and getting a workout in is still a win even if the rest of the day falls apart.

Small wins build confidence when your job feels overwhelming.

Ask questions even when you feel dumb

This is the biggest one.

I said it clearly in the episode: “Realistically, you start off not knowing anything and the only way you’re going to know something is if you ask.”

Your first year is supposed to be messy. No one expects you to know everything. Someone else in the room is probably wondering the same thing and is too nervous to ask it.

Ask the question. You will learn faster and look more confident doing it.

Be the person who gets things done

This is the mindset that will get you noticed early.
There are always people who point out problems. You want to be the one who solves them.

As I said, “If there’s something that needs to get done and people are just sitting around not doing it, be the person that gets it done.”

Do the small things without telling people you did. People remember that.

FAQ: What Guys Are Asking About Their First Job

How do I make a good first impression?
Take your AirPods out, say hi, look presentable, and come in with energy.

What do I talk about with coworkers?
Anything simple. Weekend plans, recent projects, one small question about their role. You are not trying to be interesting. You are trying to be open.

How do I stop feeling like I have no idea what I’m doing?
Ask questions early and often. The confidence comes from learning faster, not pretending to know everything.

How do I balance work, gym, and a social life?
Pick one non negotiable habit first. For me, that was morning workouts. When one pillar is solid, the rest starts to fall into place.

How do I build confidence as the youngest person in the room?
Show up prepared, follow up after conversations, and take initiative. Confidence comes from doing small things consistently.