- Chris Campbell
- Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Nervous about starting a new job or taking on a new role at your current job? Don’t worry, this guide will get you ready for the next chapter in your professional life!
If you’re reading this because you’re starting a new job soon or have recently been in that position let me start off by saying congratulations on this new opportunity! If you’re just thinking about making a career change soon or even feeling content in your current role, this article could still be useful to you. It’s currently estimated that people will have 12 jobs in their lifetime. Looking at the current state of not only the job market but the world as a whole, that number will more than likely just go up. In May 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate in the US hit 14 percent. The pandemic has played a role in what is now being called the Great Resignation, a 2021 trend in which job resignation rates reached record numbers with 4 million people quitting their jobs in April of this year. I’m writing all of this to say that for the majority it isn’t a question of if they will get a new job at some point, but when. Whenever that time comes for you, here are a few things you can do to make sure you’re ready!
First Day Prep
The first day on a new job is oftentimes very nerve-wracking and anxiety inducing, which is easy to understand. You’re introducing yourself to a whole new group of people, getting acclimated to a different work environment, and walking into a situation where you’re surrounded by unfamiliarity. Because of this, you want to make sure that you’re as rested and prepared as possible for day one. It would be good to take some time off between your last day on a previous job and your first day on a new one. Leaving a job is stressful enough and if you immediately go from that to starting a new one you can easily become overwhelmed. Spend some time hanging out with friends and family, take a trip out of town and go somewhere that puts your mind at ease, you could even do a staycation and spend a long weekend watching Netflix and eating your favorite ice cream. Do whatever works best to clear your mind, you got a lot of work ahead of you!
While you’re enjoying some “you time,” there are a few simple things to keep in mind so you don’t come into your first day unprepared. The main two things to remember are your new work schedule and the address of the place you’ll be working. If your new job is in an unfamiliar part of town, do a test run or two of your work commute to get comfortable with your route. First impressions are important, and being late on the first day is not the message you want to send. So, now that you’re well rested and mentally prepared for this new challenge, it’s time meet your new coworkers.
Get to Know Your New Coworkers and Workspace
Your first day (really your first few weeks) on a new job are all about getting a feel for your new surroundings. An understanding of the people you’re going to be working with everyday along with the way the company operates is crucial for long-term success and relationship building. That relationship building starts with you introducing yourself! Make sure you acknowledge all of your new coworkers and treat everyone almost as if you’re a guest in their home. Because you’re meeting so many new people at one time, some of whom will be genuinely curious about you and the skills you bring to the table, it could be beneficial to have an elevator speech ready that details your work background and what you’re hoping to bring to this new position. While taking a tour of the office, have a notepad with you to keep track of important information like where certain resources are and specific ways the organization likes to do things. With all of that said, you’re going to get so much information in such a short period of time that no matter how hard you try it will be impossible to remember everything. That’s where the next step comes in.
Ask Questions!
I don’t know about you, but asking for help can be a real struggle for me sometimes. On a new job you want to look as competent and prepared as possible but there are certain things you just will not know. When those times come don’t hesitate to ask for help. Unsure about a specific company policy? Don’t know where an important resource is? Confused about a task you’ve been assigned? Just ask, it’s going to make things a lot easier for you than assuming or trying to wing it.
Don’t only ask questions related to yourself or your job responsibilities, ask your coworkers about what they do as well. Inquire about their day-to-day responsibilities and interest within the company. More times than not you’ll find that you and your coworkers have similar interest and backgrounds. These conversations will only make your job easier. Coworkers will naturally be more willing to help someone they have a connection with and for you, having more knowledge about the abilities and traits of those around you will make it easier to know who you should go to when you need help in the future.
Find Time to Talk with Your Supervisor
As you’re getting settled into your new position, you can potentially feel a number of different ways about the job you’re doing. Maybe you feel like you’re killing it and doing a flawless job or maybe you feel like you just can’t grasp the new role and need some help. Either way, it’s important get some outside feedback on your work and who better to ask than the person that hired you? If there isn’t already time blocked out for a meeting ask your supervisor for some time to talk one-on-one. In that meeting, ask for some feedback on the work you’re doing and let them know about any questions or concerns you have. Oftentimes these talks will help alleviate some of the stress and pressure we put on ourselves. As they say, we are often our harshest critic.
Practice Self-Care
In our jobs, especially if we're new, we want to be our most impressive selves and do whatever we can to make sure that everyone around us is taken care of. While it is important to look out for your coworkers, never forget to take care of yourself as well! The best way to do that is by practicing self-care at work and in your personal life. While you’re in the office, when the inevitable mistake or misunderstanding happens, try to not be too hard on yourself. Find people on the job that you feel comfortable with and ask them for help or advice when you need it. Take breaks throughout the day where you step away from work and do something you enjoy like calling a friend or watching Tik-Tok videos. Even something as simple as organizing your workspace can make you feel clear-headed and energized.
Remember the stuff I suggested in the first step (First Day Prep) that you could do to ease your mind and relax before you start a new job? Continue to do those same things in your free time! Make sure you’re getting enough sleep at night so you’re not walking into the office fatigued. Take up a new hobby that energizes you and makes you feel good. Though it can become harder to do as you get more preoccupied with work, find time to see loved ones and catch up with them. There’s an endless list of things you can do to unwind, find the thing that re-energizes you and make time for it as much as you can.
Conclusion
Hopefully these steps will make your transition into a new role a little easier but to be honest, change this big comes with unavoidable discomfort and difficulties. It typically takes three to six months to get used to a new job. That adjustment can be even longer depending on how different your new position and organization is from your old one. Even though it doesn’t feel great in the moment, sometimes discomfort is necessary for growth. When things get hard, the most important thing you can do is try to be easy on yourself and be patient. Before you know it you’ll feel completely comfortable in your new role and work environment. The irony is, getting comfortable typically means another change is around the corner. Don’t worry though, this article will still be here when it’s time for that next big transition!
Looking for more information?
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