Conquering new job nerves
Everyone gets nervous on their first day, but how to best prepare to ensure you are not too nervous to make a good first impression?
Even the most confident of trainees can find the prospect of starting a new job nerve-wracking. The stress response that arises from this worry is a natural response to a perceived threat or fear. Because no matter your skill level or experience, the fear of the unknown can often spark a sense of anxiety.
But it is important to understand that feeling new job anxiety is completely normal and is not a sign there is anything wrong with you or that there are an indications that you have made a bad decision.
Preparation is an excellent cure for new job nerves – no one wants to arrive in a new office on day one feeling dishevelled and caught off-guard.
Natural
Hannah Szymanski, market director at Robert Half, says: ‘Firstly, it is important to appreciate that, when starting a new job, it is only natural to feel nervous. However, there are a number of tactics that can prevent this from impacting your ability to do the role effectively.
‘Ensuring that you take notes and record what you are expected to do and any upcoming tasks will mean that you feel more confident that nothing has been missed, particularly when you are being inundated with new information.
‘There is also no point in pretending that you understand everything you are being told; so, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you feel like you need additional information to effectively do what you are being asked to do.’
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Personal
It is also vital to meet your new colleagues and get to know more about them, not just on a professional level but also on a personal one. This will naturally help you feel more comfortable in the role and enable you to adapt much quicker than if you don’t make that extra effort.
Everyone has been new to an employer at some stage and your new team will appreciate that this can be a challenging period. However, establishing relationships early on will potentially buy you extra leeway and you will likely find that your fellow workers will help you in your first few days if they can see that you’re trying your best.
Kind
Remember to be kind to yourself. Piling on the pressure to get everything right one day one is unrealistic and will only cause more anxiety and nervousness. Set yourself some realistic goals for your first day at work, like remembering colleagues’ names, finding someone to take lunch with and completing at least one meaningful task. It will help you feel more confident about the days ahead and will get things off to a strong start.
Szymanski adds: ‘There is also nothing wrong with allowing yourself some time to go outside and calm down using deep breathing techniques.
‘Broadly speaking, if you approach the new opportunity with a good, positive mental attitude and a can-do spirit while showing that you are keen to work hard and make a difference, then it is highly likely that you will make a good first impression and will quickly feel more comfortable in the new role.’
Author: Alex Miller, writer
More information
This article was first published in Student Accountant in August 2023 | Get the SA app now