Starting a new position can be both exhilarating and harrowing. From day one, you must perform well and live up to your employer's expectations, so crazy thoughts might enter into your mind when you think about your first few days or weeks on the job. Here are some possible thoughts and tips for dealing with them.
1. "I Need a New Wardrobe"
In preparation for your first day in your new position, you may have tried on every outfit in your closet. You don't want to be too formal or too casual, nor do you want to sport a look that makes you stand out from the rest of your co-workers. If you can't figure out what to wear, go for a business-casual look, which can be a simple pair of slacks and a button-down shirt. Or, check out your employer's social media pages or company website to see what others are wearing on the job, and choose something similar.
2. "My Interview Tricks Worked"
When you first saw the job description, you might have felt underqualified, even though you applied for the job anyway. If you wowed the company with your personality and abilities during the interview, you might feel a tad guilty for convincing the employer that you're the perfect fit. Don't feel this way. Remember that the people who interviewed you spent a lot of time thinking about who to hire. They examined your cover letter, resume, references, hard skills and soft skills. The people sitting behind the interview table believed you are the perfect fit for a reason, so you don't need to fret or have crazy thoughts about how you cajoled someone into hiring a person who is underqualified.
3. "Why Did They Hire Me?"
If you make a few mistakes during your first week on the job, you might start wondering why you landed the position. You likely made a few mistakes because you're just not used to the job yet. No one steps into a new position and does things perfectly right away. Even your predecessor made mistakes during his first week and likely still makes mistakes. Remember that everyone is human, and your employer knows it might take time for you become familiar with your new job and work surroundings.
4. "I Miss My Old Job"
At your old job, you probably knew precisely how you fit into the company and were comfortable with almost every person in your department. A new position changes all of that, so you might start to miss your old job. Recognize that you don't necessarily miss your old job, you just miss fitting into a team. You have a new team now, and it might take a bit of time to get comfortable in your new position. Eventually, you'll likely fit in just fine.
Getting past these thoughts takes patience. Just like an awkward phase of your teenage years, you will get past it, and soon, you'll be excited about your new position and the new career opportunities that lie ahead.
Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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