Recently I’ve started a new job, which has been an exciting change in my life. I haven’t had much time for writing lately as I was quite busy with leaving my old job, visiting my family in the United States and returning to Australia to start a new job doing something entirely different.
The entire process has been exciting but was filled with anxiety at times. Anxiety about putting in my notice at my old job, starting something new and all the unknowns that come with starting a new job.
Thankfully, my job so far has exceeded my expectations. I love everyone I work with. The work is interesting, varied and challenging.
I’ve learned a bit about dealing with anxiety about starting a new job. I thought this was a great opportunity to share my learnings for anyone considering to make a change at their job, about to start a new job or still getting comfortable at a new role. Hopefully my learnings will help lessen your anxiety when starting a new job.
Congratulate yourself. Anxiety plays at your fears and self-doubts. However, deciding to pursue an opportunity is something brave, exciting and shows your commitment to personal growth and openness to a job that will be a better fit for you.
Many of us struggle with the balance between staying in a comfortable job, that may not be right for us and deciding to take a risk and do something unknown but could reap amazing rewards.
Take time to congratulate yourself for doing something different and pursuing a better opportunity. You are exactly where you need to be right now. Taking this new job is part of your journey so enjoy the process and see what unfolds.
Accept your emotions. Don’t try to hide behind inauthentic feelings that don’t reflect your current state such as trying to show you are confident or know everything. Certainly don’t make yourself feel bad for feeling nervous. Nervousness is a natural feeling in this type of situation.
Anything new is scary in some way. What you are feeling is normal.
When you place too much energy into trying to be someone you aren’t or conveying a persona that doesn’t represent how you feel, you’ll feel even more anxiety and pressure in your job.
At the same time, you don’t need to let your emotions loose and show your frustration, anger, annoyance, sadness or doubts at your job either. Acceptance is a nice balance of peacefully accepting your emotions and coping with them in a healthy way.
When I was feeling nervous during my first week or so at work, I took time to take deep breaths, made myself a cup of tea and focused on just calming myself. During my lunch breaks I would take a walk outside in nature or call my partner just to have someone to talk to about my feelings.
You don’t have to hide from your feelings but accept that these emotions are perfectly normal at a new job.
Focus on making a good impression. Part of your anxiety may be focused on whether you can pass the probation period or whether your employer will be disappointed in you. Your employer most likely will not have the highest expectations since you are learning and getting your head around things. However, your employer will likely expect you to be brilliant at the basics.
With that being said, come to work on time or even early. If you take public transport or deal with traffic, leave earlier to avoid having to send a message for being late.
This is not the time to start testing the waters and browse social media on your work computer. Doing that may be perfectly okay at your job but it’s best to limit personal browsing for your phone or outside of work. Limit your time using your personal phone in the office.
This is not the best time to start testing boundaries. You may love telling jokes in your group of friends, but being over the top at a new job can potentially offend someone or make someone feel uncomfortable. It’s best to just be a little reserved as you make time to get to know your new coworkers.
Your last work environment may have been casual, relaxed and with employers and colleagues that you could talk about anything with but it’s best to start with a blank slate for this role.
Be positive at work too. Even if you are the type who dreads getting up in the morning, focus on ways to make your day more pleasant. Make time for breakfast, exercise, meditation or whatever makes you feel good in the morning. Come into work looking positive and relaxed.
Be open to learning. A new job will have plenty of opportunities to learn. Take this time to learn as much as you can and show your employer and colleagues that you want to improve and contribute.
First impressions make a huge difference. You can start letting the real you shine once you get a feel for the work environment, but focus first on listening, learning and being respectful.
Focus on the purpose of this job. Starting a new job can lead you down a road of self-doubt, comparison between your new and old role and wondering if your job is a good match.
At any job, it’s great to take an opportunity to reflect on the purpose of your job and if it’s meeting your needs, but do give your new job a chance.
Why did you take this job? Is this an opportunity to upskill yourself, learn something new or challenge yourself? Were you unhappy at your old role due to the salary, toxic work environment or the type of work you were doing?
Is this job a natural stepping stone for you since you are new to the workforce? Were you laid off before and this job is the next opportunity to get yourself back on track financially?
Whatever your reasons for being at this job, focus on those reasons. This is exactly where you need to be right now. Give this job a chance. Even if the job is different than what you expected or you are doubting how well of a match this job may be, give it a chance and see what unfolds.
Remember, your employers hired you for a reason. It’s normal to feel nervous and wonder if you are not the best match for your role or might disappoint your employee. It’s also normal to have unrealistically high expectations for yourself and want to hit the ground running, when you will need time to understand the new company, your role and get appropriate training.
Your employers have faith in you and will give you the space to learn, grow and make a huge impact in this role. Even though you may have some insecurities, remember that you were hired for a reason.
Many people need time to flourish in their jobs and feel comfortable. Give yourself that time and try to enjoy it, even if you feel uncomfortable at times.
Try to get comfortable with being a learner. Ask questions. Request feedback. Let your colleagues know if you need additional time to figure something out. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do things right, and needing a little bit more time to learn and figure things out.
Also don’t panic if you make a mistake either. Employers tend to be pretty understanding about minor mistakes that are made early on in a new job.
What matters far more than making a mistake, is how you handle your mistakes. Stay accountable for your actions and work to find a solution. You will probably leave a great impression to your employer and colleagues by how you manage your mistakes.
Practice meditation and deep breathing. Deep breathing can naturally make you feel relaxed, less tense and more focused on the present.
Focus on making meditation something you do regularly, even during your lunch break. Take deep breaths whenever you feel frustrated or have anxiety.
Making space for meditation and deep breathing will naturally help you feel calmer throughout the day.
This too shall pass. The great thing about a new job, is the newness wears off pretty quickly. Eventually everything that seems new will feel normal.
The colleagues that you know nothing about, will become familiar in time. Who knows, you might even become friends with some of your colleagues as well.
Your job duties will start to become routine. You’ll have a much better understanding of what is expected of you on a daily basis and how to truly succeed and grow in your role.
You’ll know who to ask for help when you are struggling to figure something out. The company processes will become something you know automatically. Your job will become something that you are familiar with.
The work culture will become transparent as you spend a few weeks or months at your job. You’ll understand what is appropriate or not at your job, the types of jokes you can say and if it’s okay to leave a little early at times or if you must be at the office at specific hours.
Fortunately, the newness of my job started to wear off a few weeks in. I’m not sure when that feeling of newness will wear off for you but it typically happens in a couple of weeks or in a few months. Give it time because this new job won’t feel as new very soon.
Where ever you are at right now, stay positive. Take time to relax and stay in the present. And keep congratulating yourself for focusing on finding a job that might be a better fit for you.