How To Overcome Your New Job Jitters
On the one hand, starting a new job can be incredibly exciting.
You will have the chance to meet new people. There will be new challenges to take on. And you will have the opportunity to work your way up the career ladder. Hurrah!
On the other hand, it can also be pant-wettingly nerve-wracking! What if you do or say the wrong thing? What if you screw up the tasks you have been given to do? In a new job, mistakes can be made, and the thought of them might add to your jitters.
Still, it is possible to overcome some of your nerves, and we have some suggestions on how to do so below.
#1: Be prepared for your first day at work
On a practical level, make sure you have everything you need before you start your first day. From the appropriate work shoes and other dress attire to the paperwork you have been asked to bring with you, ensure everything is prepared in advance so you’re good to go. This way, you won’t be afraid of forgetting something vital, and you won’t have to face any embarrassment in front of your new co-workers.
#2: Communicate with your new employers
If there is anything you’re unsure about before your new job begins, get in touch with the people who will be employing you. Of course, you don’t want to bombard them with emails and phone calls, as you don’t want to risk them becoming annoyed with you before your first day begins. But if you can sit down and make a list of those things that are playing on your mind, you will be able to include them all in one email or phone call message. When you have the answers you need, you should have greater peace of mind.
#3: Remember your good points
It can be easy to talk down to ourselves when we’re nervous, but this is of no help at all. So, instead of dwelling on your weaknesses before your job begins, think about your strengths instead. This way, you will be less likely to fill your thoughts with what you might do to screw up on your first day, and more likely to think of those things that you will be able to do well. And remember that you have been chosen for the job for a reason. Your new employers have obviously seen something good in you, so be proud that you have been chosen for the position and not fearful that you might be the wrong person.
#4: Wake up early on your first day
Of course, you might be awake early anyway, especially if you haven’t been able to sleep because of your nerves or excitement. However, it’s still good practice to set your alarm clock, just in case you do sleep in on your first day. When you get up early, you will have time to prepare yourself mentally for the day ahead, and you won’t have to panic about being late to work. You will also have time to eat well and to exercise a little, and this will do much to alleviate some of the stress you will be feeling.
The first day in a new job can be stressful for anybody, but by following our tips, you should be able to alleviate some of what you might be feeling. Chances are, many of your fears will be squashed as soon as you start your job anyway, so try to stay positive when you’re preparing for the first day.