Starting a new job is an exciting milestone. However, as time ticks closer to your first day, you may find yourself bubbling over with nerves. All the excitement you had can often be replaced with anxiety and doubt. What if you don’t get on with your new colleagues? What if you do something wrong? If thinking about your first day is making you feel this way, here are 5 tips to help you get your nerves under control.
1.Don’t worry if you don’t know how to do something
One of the most frustrating things about starting a new role is having to learn how to do everything from scratch. Don’t worry if you don’t understand how to do every aspect of your job straightaway, it’s going to take time! If you’re not sure how to do something, ask more questions or ask to be shown again until you do.
2.Remember, most people feel this way
The feelings you’re experiencing right now are normal. In fact, these nerves affect almost everyone before they start a new job, even if they don’t say so! Take a deep breath – everyone in your team will completely understand how you’re feeling, as they’ve all been there too.
3.Ask yourself: will it matter tomorrow?
If you momentarily forget a colleague’s name or forget to hold open the door for your manager, don’t beat yourself up about it too much. Ask yourself: is it really going to matter a week from now? This will help you get some perspective. If the answer is no, stop worrying about it!
4.Give work friendships time to develop
Try not to worry too much if you don’t instantly hit it off with some of your colleagues. It takes time to form good relationships with your team mates, so people might be a bit closed off until they get to know you better. In a month’s time, you’ll feel like part of the furniture and wonder why you were so worried that Katie on reception didn’t like you!
5.Remind yourself that you were hired for a reason
When you feel like everything’s gone pear shaped and you think you said the wrong thing in a meeting – remember that the company hired you for a reason. Out of all the CVs that they looked through, they felt that you were the ideal candidate for the job. Remind yourself that you’re more than capable and in time your confidence in your abilities will grow.
Although you undoubtedly want to make a good first impression, no one is going to expect you to grasp how the company works and immediately know how to do everything on day 1. Focus instead on making sure you’re enthusiastic about your role, positive and punctual and you’re sure to win over your new employer!
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