Starting a new job can make us feel like we’ve gone back in time to our first day of junior high school. We want people to like us, but we don’t want to seem too eager. We hope we’ve worn¹ the right clothes and dressed up enough, but not too much. The self-confidence we had in the interview that landed us the job is slowly taken over by nerves² as our first day approaches, and we worry about making a good first impression.

开始新工作会让我们感到仿佛又回到了初一开学第一天。我们希望人们会喜欢我们，但是又不希望自己看上去过于心切；我们希望穿着得当、得体，可又不想过份讲究。帮助我们赢得这份工作的面试中的自信随着工作第一天临近逐渐被紧张情绪代替，我们担心能否给同事留下好的第一印象。

But new jobs should be exciting, not stressful. We’re taking on a new role, a fresh start, one filled with opportunities and a future—we’re not going to the dentist. Use the following six ways to fit in at your new job.

不过新工作给人们带来的应该是兴奋而不是压力。我们将扮演一个新角色，有一个全新的开始，一个富有机会和未来的起点。我们不是去看牙医（没必要太紧张）。下面六条建议可以帮你适应第一天的工作。

1. Show your true colors—it got you the job, after all.

展现本色——毕竟你因此才获得这份工作

Before any big “first day,” remember what our parents always told us, “Just be yourself!” It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. For example, if you’re more of a calm, mellow³ kind of person and on your first few days at the office you’re overly friendly, hyper, and super smiley, chances are your act won’t last. When your true colors show a few weeks down the line, people might think you’re a phony. The classic⁴ rule of being polite and smiling goes a long way.

在任何重大的“第一天”之前，记住父母一直对我们说的“做你自己！”虽然听起来千篇一律，但这是真理。例如：如果你性格比较沉着、稳健，而工作开始的几天中，你过于友善、活跃、笑容可掬，那么你的做作可能不会持续多久。等到几周后你“原形毕露”时，人们也许认为你这个人很虚伪。礼貌待人、面带微笑的经典原则才能持久。

2. Let people talk about themselves.

让别人谈谈他们自己

In a new job, it’s crucial⁵ to remember people’s names and titles, so meeting all your new coworkers on the same day can be overwhelming⁶. Try writing things you want to remember in a notebook. When meeting a new coworker, simply ask, “So tell me about yourself. How did you end up at this company?” The person’s reaction and answer can tell you a lot about her. Hearing a little bit of her story will help you to remember her name, position, as well as her manner.

刚开始新工作，要记住别人的名字、头衔，这一点很重要，在第一天和全部新同事见面是不可避免的。可以尝试把要记住的东西写在笔记本上。在见到一位新同事时，可以简单地说：“说说你自己吧。你是怎么进入这家公司的？”她的回答和反应可以透露大量的个人信息。稍微了解对方的故事会帮你记住他/她的名字、职位、还有风格。

3. Observe company culture.

观察企业文化

Learn the company’s culture through observation—never make assumptions⁷. Your last job might have allowed coffee breaks throughout⁸ the day, but your new one might not encourage leaving the office irregularly when there’s work to be done. Does everyone leave at five o’clock sharp? Is there a separate⁹ area for taking personal calls? As for work attire¹⁰, always dress a little nicer than expected; it’s better than being underdressed. Take cues¹¹ from your coworkers and follow their lead. Remember, you’re new—you kinda have to be a sheep (for a little while, anyway).

通过观察来了解公司文化——绝对不要想象。你的上一份工作也许允许人们整天喝咖啡，但是新工作也许不会鼓励人们在有工作时隔一会儿就离开办公室。别人都在五点钟准时下班吗？要在单独一个地方接私人电话吗? 在着装方面，你穿得一定要比要求高一点点；这比穿着不得体好。从同事们身上去发现暗示，去“跟帮”。记住，你是新人——你多少要去照葫芦画瓢(至少一小段时间内是如此)。