Starting a new job can be the culmination of a long job search. A part of the job search that often is not considered Is the adjustment phase of getting settled in your new role.
The first few months on the job are a rush of emotions: exciting, terrifying and sometimes confusing. Not only do you experience various emotions, sometimes all at once, but these first few months can make or break your tenure at the new company. Some people may adjust quicker than others, but there are a few tips you can follow to make sure you adjust to your new job, whatever that may be.
Relax
In the words of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, R-E-L-A-X. Try not to stress so much about being in the new role. While the unknown is a daunting place for most people, this is an exciting time in your life. New opportunities means new challenges ahead. Putting too much stress on yourself could cause you to give a less than favorable first impression on your new coworkers. If you feel yourself starting to stress up, make an effort to breathe deeply and relax.
Remember Why You’re There
You were hired for a reason. If the new employer did not believe you could adequately do the job, you would not have been brought on board. Most employers wouldn’t put you in a position to fail. The cost of losing and rehiring talent can be exponential for companies, so they want to put you in a position to succeed. Focus on what excited you about the new opportunity and when you question your decision, remember what drew you to the position.
Trust the Process
Trusting the process isn’t reserved for the Philadelphia 76ers rebuild to prominence. Understand that there will be a learning curve in any new opportunity you have. Sure, there is pressure to perform right away, but your employer will understand that you are still learning the ropes. The important thing to remember is that you are not expected to have all the answers right away. While you may hesitate to ask questions in fear of being annoying, it is better to get more information as you learn the ropes than make mistakes and lose confidence.
Wrap Up
The average worker will have 10 jobs before he or she turns 40. Assuming you enter the work force right out of college at the age of 22, that means you may have a new job every 1.8 years or so. Adjusting to new opportunities may get easier as you progress throughout your career and get more comfortable in your industry. However, the most important thing to remember during this stressful and often overwhelming time is to take things one step at a time. For some more resources on getting used to a new role, check out these articles.
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