So, you’ve landed your very first job, or at the very least, you hope to do so in the near future; what an exciting time! While this is (no doubt) a super exciting step towards your dream role, starting a new job can also create a lot of uncertainty. After all, entering the workforce marks a huge life change, and there’s a lot of conflicting information online, so it isn’t always easy to know what to expect.
However, because we want to make your transition into the workforce as smooth as can be, we’re revealing all our top tips for acing your first day at your new job! From preparation to making a great first impression to learning all the skills you need to succeed; we’ve got you covered. And if you’re feeling a touch of new job anxiety, we can help with that, too!
Want to start your career off on the right foot? All you need to do is keep reading!
Can a New Job Cause Anxiety
Because anxiety can be triggered by new or changing situations, it isn’t uncommon for anxiety to strike when starting a new job. In fact, new job anxiety is so common that it’d be more surprising if you didn’t feel nervous before your first day in the office!
What is New Job Anxiety
If you’re wondering how long this new job anxiety is supposed to last, unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. For some new employees, it only lasts for the first day, and for others it can last for weeks. The key thing to remember during times of anxiety is that it will pass and that you deserve to be there. Use the feeling as fuel to work towards becoming the best version of you that you can be!
And if you’re wondering whether or not what you’re feeling is new job anxiety, check to see if you have any of these key symptoms:
- Physical and Mental Fatigue
- Increased Heart Rate
- Heightened Imposter Syndrome
- Increased Insecurities
How to Alleviate New Job Anxiety
Those of you who know you’re suffering from new job anxiety might feel like the only way out is through. However, there are tonnes of tried and tested ways to alleviate those uncomfortable feelings and fully settle into your new job. To help you start out on your confidence journey, here are our top four:
Remind Yourself of Why You Were Hired
It can be easy to fall into the trap of imposter syndrome when you’re feeling nervous in the workplace. However, when those negative self-thoughts begin to creep in, it’s super important to remind yourself of your worth. Remember: you landed your new job for a reason; your employer thinks you’re great and you should, too!
Connect With Your New Coworkers
When you have positive relationships with your coworkers, it makes your whole working experience so much better. Not only will they be there for you if you have any questions or concerns, but they’ll also give you something to look forward to at work: a good yap session!
Ask Lots of Questions
When you’ve just started a new job, it’s easy to feel like a burden when asking question after question. However, it’s much better to check that you’re doing things right rather than dedicate a whole workday to completing a task the wrong way. When you ask lots of questions, you’ll feel much better, and you’ll be better at your job as well!
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
There are tonnes of things you’ll want to think about before starting your new job. Whether it’s the public transport route you’ll be taking to the office, what kind of outfit you want to wear, whether you need to bring anything along or simply what you’ll be having for lunch: the more you plan, the smoother your first day will be. Don’t leave it to the last minute and end up running around like a headless chicken!
How to Ace Your First Day in a New Job
Alright, so you’re already well-versed in alleviating new job anxiety: that’s the hardest part down! Now we just need to put together a checklist so that you aren’t missing anything for your first day as part of the workforce!
To simplify the process, we’ve broken it down into three easy steps: preparation, meeting the team and learning. This way, you’ll be covered from the night before to home time!
Step One: Preparation
Before your first day, there are a few key steps to take to ensure you go into your new job feeling prepared and confident! Our top tips are to:
- Create a list of questions you want answered
- Decide on your outfit
- Get plenty of sleep
- Plan your commute to work
Step Two: Meeting the Team
Once you’ve arrived at the office, there are a few ways to make a great impression and start building positive relationships with the rest of the team. We suggest that you:
- Practice active listening
- Bring positive energy
- Learn everyone’s positions
Step Three: Learning
Finally, you’ll want to really commit to learning, as a new job usually marks a very steep learning curve. If we were you, we’d take in as much information as we could by making sure to:
- Listen and observe
- Take notes
- Don’t be afraid to try new things
Start Climbing Your Career Ladder
With all of these top-notch tips under your belt, we’re certain that you’ll ace your first day at your new job! However, it you want to take your career knowledge one step further, check out the rest of our blog today! With study content, career content, and exclusive industry insights, you’ll never run out of info!
