NORTHERN PLANNER

You may know I've switched jobs. You tend to move for 'big' things – money, culture, new challenges, location, work life balance, your last place gave you no choice. But what matters in your first few days/weeks is the small things. Top 1o things I think you really need to know when you start a new agency are:

1. When is payday and have I joined in time to make this months payroll?

2. Where is the kitchen?

3. Where do I get stationary?

4. What are the REAL hours?

5. Where is accounts? How do you claim expenses?

6. Who and where are traffic (they know everything and you should get to know them quick)?

7. What are the cliques and friendship groups (they are always there)?

8. Where is IT, what are they like? Where is everything on the system?

9. What do people do for lunch? I want to join in and stuff (assuming anyone takes a lunch!) but I don't want to be pushy and I'm shy. Will people think I'm arrogant if I keep to myself?

10. What's the best route to work and back? How long does it really take?

Walking through the door is always a leap, especially when you're shy. The tour around the place is always awkward, people sizing you up, trying to think of something to say to everyone, knowing you'll immediately forget everyone's name. I hate the royal family but you've got to admire the way they do the endless meet and greets without cutting their hearts out with a blunt spoon.