First-Day English at Work: Introductions and Small Talk
Four sentences carry most of a first day: I'm here for my first day. I've just joined the marketing team. Where's the kitchen? Anything you'd like me to finish before I go? A new job is a short set of repeated exchanges, and each one has a polite frame you can prepare before you arrive.
Below: arriving, introductions, facilities, tasks, small talk, two dialogues and a checklist. Level: A2 to B1.
Arriving and reporting in
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| Reporting in | I'm here for my first day — I was told to ask for Ms Ellis. |
| Your bag | Where should I leave my bag? |
| Dress code | Is there a dress code I should know about? |
| Your manager | Who should I report to? |
Say I'm here for my first day rather than Today is my first day: the first version tells the other person what you need.
Introducing yourself
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| Joining a team | I've just joined the marketing team. |
| Your work | I'll be working with the design team. |
| Being new | This is my first day, so I'm still finding my way around. |
| Covering a role | I'm covering for Nuala while she's on leave. |
Keep it to one job, one team and one reason. If you are covering for someone, say so early; people relax when they know why a new face is at the desk. The job interview phrases use the same frames from the other side of the table.
Asking about facilities
| What you need | What to say |
|---|---|
| The kitchen | Where's the kitchen? |
| The wifi | How do I get on the wifi? |
| A security pass | Where do I get a security pass? |
| Lunch | What time does everyone usually take lunch? |
| Meetings | Is there a meeting I should sit in on? |
Asking about tasks and processes
| What you need | What to say |
|---|---|
| Someone to ask | Who should I go to if I have a question? |
| Where files live | Is there a shared drive I should look at? |
| Handovers | How do you usually handle handovers? |
| How to reach them | What's the best way to reach you — chat or email? |
Ask the last question on day one, not in week three; it saves a string of unanswered messages.
Small talk with colleagues
| Opening | Why it works |
|---|---|
| How long have you been here? | A story about the workplace |
| What does your team work on? | A one-line answer |
| Do you know a good place for lunch around here? | Practical |
| Have you got any tips for the first week? | Useful |
These four are safe with almost anyone, because they are about the workplace rather than private life. The small talk guide has more openers for the kettle queue.
At the end of the day
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| Unfinished work | I'll pick up where I left off tomorrow. |
| Saying thank you | Thanks for showing me around — I really appreciate it. |
| Checking your work | Anything you'd like me to finish before I go? |
The last question turns a day of listening into a day of work.
British and American office words
| British English | American English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| induction | onboarding | The formal first-days programme |
| line manager | manager | The person you report to |
| rota | schedule | Who works when |
| annual leave | vacation | Paid days off |
| lift | elevator | The machine, not the bag |
| payslip | paycheck | The record of your pay |
HR, probation period and tea break appear on both sides of the Atlantic; what changes is the word for schedules and holidays.
What to ask, and what to leave
On day one, ask about the team, the building and the work. Leave salary, age, marital status, health and religion for later; they are not normal first-week questions.
Two phrases keep a conversation comfortable. To interrupt, use Sorry to jump in — quick question. If you miss a word, use Sorry, could you say that again — this is all new to me. The second half matters, because it explains why you are asking. The common mistakes guide lists the small errors worth fixing first.
Dialogue 1: your first morning in the office
| Them | You |
|---|---|
| Good morning. Can I help you? | I'm here for my first day — I was told to ask for Ms Ellis. |
| That's me. Welcome. Let me show you round. | Thanks. Where should I leave my bag? |
| Your pass comes from reception, before ten. | What time does everyone usually take lunch? |
| There's a catch-up at two. I'll add you. | Great. What's the best way to reach you — chat or email? |
Dialogue 2: a remote onboarding call
| Manager | You |
|---|---|
| Hi, can you hear me all right? | Yes, loud and clear. Thanks for setting this up. |
| Good. I'm your line manager for six months. | Understood. Who should I go to if I have a question? |
| Me, or Priya on chat for anything technical. | Is there a shared drive I should look at? |
| I'll send the link. Any tips for the first week? | Only that I'm still finding my way around. |
Remote first days run on the same script, with one addition: check that you can be heard before the real conversation starts. The phone call phrases cover voice-only openings.
Your first-day checklist
- Write down five names before lunch, with the team next to each one.
- Ask where the kitchen and the toilets are.
- Get the wifi password and a security pass on the same day.
- Ask who to go to with questions, and by which channel.
- Before you leave, ask whether anything needs finishing today.
Frequently asked questions
What should I say when I arrive on my first day?
Name yourself and your reason in one sentence: I'm here for my first day — I was told to ask for Ms Ellis. Then ask where to leave your bag.
How do I introduce myself to a new team?
Give one job, one team and one reason: I've just joined the marketing team, and I'll be working with the design team. Add that you are new.
Is it polite to ask about the kitchen and lunch times?
Yes. Questions about the kitchen, the wifi, the security pass and lunch are practical rather than nosy, and people expect them on a first day.
What should I avoid asking colleagues in the first week?
Avoid salary, age, marital status, health and religion. Ask about the team, the building and the work instead: How long have you been here?
What do I say at the end of my first day?
Thank the person who showed you around, then check your work: Thanks for showing me around. Anything you'd like me to finish before I go?