Congratulations — you landed a brand new job! It’s a very exciting time, preparing for something brand new, especially if you were looking to make a change for a while.
It’s also perfectly normal and understandable if you’re feeling a little nervous or anxious. It could be a big change or it might be your first job in a new line of work. There’s plenty to learn, and, while that’s fun, it’s also bound to stir up the butterflies.
Here’s how to handle the anxiety and nervousness of starting a new job:
Prepare as much as possible before your first day.
Before the big day, get yourself prepared and excited, much like you would before starting a new school year. Figure out what you want to wear and make sure it looks nice. Determine the best way to get to the new job, including an alternate route or detour in case traffic is bad or the weather calls for allowing extra time. If you carry a bag to work, have it packed and ready the night before so you don’t have to think too much about last-minute details or additions. Read the company’s website and review social media to try and familiarize yourself with some concepts and faces. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep too — or as much sleep as the butterflies will allow.
Take a deep breath. Or several deep breaths.
Everyone is new in their jobs at one point. Everyone! First day (or week) jitters are totally understandable and expected. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, have a seat, close your eyes, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’re new and learning a lot. Especially in your first few days, it’s going to feel like a lot; remember that you don’t need to learn everything all at once. No one will expect you to be an expert after eight hours and you shouldn’t either. Everything will eventually make sense!
Find a friend or mentor.
Remember being in elementary school and how teachers would sometimes pair students up with a buddy so no one got lost? Find your work buddy. You might be paired with someone in a similar position to help you learn the ropes of the new job; make that person your (work) best friend for the first few days or weeks, at least until you get your bearings. This person can be your go-to for everything, from learning where the bathrooms are to finding where the good coffee is located to asking for tips on how to learn the finer points of your job. It’s always better to learn with someone who’s been there and knows the ways of the company.
Ask questions.
No one expects you to learn everything on your first day. But you’re more likely to learn if you ask questions about things as they come up, instead of trying to remember them later. Carry a notebook with you to jot down ideas, thoughts, questions, concerns, etc., so you have everything you want to learn in one place. You can use the same notebook to write down the answers to all those questions, so you can refer back to those notes as you go through your first week. It’s like a little cheat sheet you’re creating for yourself in real-time.
Give yourself a reward at the end of the first day and the first week.
It’s so important to celebrate your victories. You worked hard to get this job! You might feel a little lost for the first few days or weeks, but don’t despair. Every time you learn something new or feel confident about something in the new job, give yourself a reward: it might be an extra flavoring in your coffee, a special dinner you enjoy; or anything that makes you feel happy and that you’ve earned it is the right answer. This is basic positive reinforcement, treating yourself for your hard work that brought you to this point and will continue to motivate you going forward.
Remember that everyone feels a bit out of sorts on their first day and week on a new job. Be friendly, be polite, try your best to remember everyone’s name as quickly as possible, and be open about what you’re trying to learn and the bumps along the way. You’ll get there!
If you’re looking for more advice on how to make a great first impression on a new job, call Debbie’s Staffing. We’re ready to help you feel more confident and empowered as you start a new job — or if you’re not quite there yet and are still looking for a great unique opportunity, we can help you find that too! Call Debbie’s Staffing today and let’s get started on your bright new future.
