It is estimated that we have between two and five jobs in our lifetimes. While many of these job changes may be for positive matters – a more challenging career, better advancement, more lucrative pay – the fact remains that starting a new job can be one of the biggest stresses in life. The reasons for this vary. For some of us, learning the technicalities, the ins and outs, of a new job may be the biggest burden. For others, learning the way around the building – how to get to the coffee pot and the restroom - may prove difficult. And, for some, simply learning where the new office is located may be the biggest inconvenience.

However, for the majority of new jobbers, chances are the greatest intimidation factor, the one that causes the most anxiety, is simply meeting new people. Walking into a job where everyone seems to know each other – patting each other on the back and asking about little Johnny’s soccer game – can be overwhelming for the person who knows no one. It causes a fear resembling high school, as the newcomer wonders who they will sit with at lunch. Though this may seem like an occasion drowning in discomfort, there are a few things that can be done to make it as smooth a transition as possible.

Dress the Part

It’s hard to gauge what kind of clothes to wear on the first day of the job. While many offices are listed as “business casual,” the term “casual” leaves a lot to be interpreted. For some of us, casual may be wearing slacks and a button down shirt, for others it may be wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Still, for a few, casual may simply mean wearing to work what was worn to bed.

For a new job, it’s best to err on the side of caution and prepare to be overdressed rather than underdressed. Wearing a suit while everyone else is wearing slacks and blouses will go over much better than wearing jeans while everyone else is wearing a suit.