So you’ve got your job, you’ve found somewhere to live, and you are ready to go. Now all you need to do is actually start. Here are my five top tips.

a. Find out what the dress code is for the 1st day, there is nothing worse than turning up in jeans when everyone else is in a suit, or vice versa. You will have enough to be uncomfortable about so don’t let your clothes be one. It’s definitely worth investing in a new suit if you can afford one (one of the few positives of the economic downturn is that there are some cracking bargains to be had!) If you are anything like me you will get very excited about your first pay cheque and spend it all on cuff links and new shirts.

b. Buy yourself a ring bound pad of paper to write down anything you are told, and anything you think is important. I used the pad all the time to write down my daily jobs, any procedures I needed to remember. It is nice to have it all together and you won’t lose any scraps.

c. Get involved with everything in the first few weeks, you might as well try and meet as many people as possible. It also looks good that you are getting stuck into it and looking keen.

d. You’re likely to have someone training you, probably the student you’re replacing, so make sure they show you around and let you know what goes on. All the little things like knowing where the stationary is, toilets, what time people go for lunch and for how long etc. all help ensure you settle in as quickly as possible.

d. Definitely go out socialising at the first opportunity but make sure you don’t get too messy, you want to be sociable but not incoherent. Your boss will think you are a bit of spoon if you are stumbling around and slurring. Wait until you know everyone a little better before you do that. Socialising outside of work is a great way of getting to know your team, and for them to get to know you.

e. Don’t fall asleep on public transport, and if you’re in London – the last tube is a very very expensive place to fall asleep on. Also figure out which night bus to take home if you miss the last tube, your friends and family who are at home asleep generally don’t like a call at 1am from a drunken idiot asking them to find the bus routes, trust me.