Tomorrow, I start a new job
5 January 2009
Read by 2375 persons
Worries, anxiety, excitement… A first day in a company is a lot like going back to school. Except this time, your classmates aren't waiting for you in the playground. So it's best to prepare for that first day… and the ones that follow!
The day is finally here! You're going to start your new job. To avoid last-minute setbacks and adrenaline rushes in the morning, think about choosing your outfit the day before, filling up your car with gas, checking your commute time… And don't forget your bag!
You've finally arrived…
Ideally, you've planned everything by calling your future supervisor a few days beforehand: you're expected and know exactly what you'll be tackling on your first day.
Often, the first day of a new job is the most difficult. You don't know anyone, you get lost in the building, you wait in the hall for a colleague designated to guide you to come and get you. You're told that no office is available for the moment and that no tasks can be assigned to you immediately. The extremely urgent mission for which you were hired may not be so urgent after all…
Find out!
Patience! This first day is important; it's the only day you have to get your bearings, absorb the company's habits, the ethical aspects and practical details of your mission. Also take the opportunity to ask basic questions: where can you find supplies, how to transfer calls, what is the organizational chart… but also where the company restaurant is!
Getting to know people
The most important thing is to get to know your future colleagues and supervisors. A tip: remember names, note down phone numbers and job titles. After a week, this kind of ignorance will be less forgivable.
Note that in some companies, a complete welcome process exists: comprehensive presentation brochures, integration seminar, training session…
Types of stress to expect:
In the early days, you may encounter many stressful situations:
• I didn't make the right choice
You will go through moments of doubt that you will have to accept. It is common that after making an important decision like accepting a new job, you wonder: "What have I done?" Give yourself time to get used to it.
• I don't know what I'm doing
And who does? Some days, you will feel lost and clueless; don't worry! Nobody expects you to know everything from the start. After about three months, you will wake up knowing everything there is to know.
• Nobody likes me
Know that you are like a new student arriving in the middle of the school year. Your colleagues are already divided into small groups or affinity groups. You will therefore have to make an effort and often take the first step to create bonds. Be open and friendly, go towards them.
• I made a complete mess
I guarantee that this will happen to you (especially during the first few months). Take it seriously, but don't beat yourself up. Acknowledge that you made a mistake, avoid repeating it in the future. Determine how you can improve things. Finally, if your mistake has harmed someone else, apologize to the person concerned.
• I can't keep up
This is the most common stress factor for early career people. You will have to get used to it. You will always have many tasks to accomplish and not enough time to do them. However, don't worry, prioritize and work on one project at a time. Also, if you are really too overwhelmed, there is no harm in saying no, otherwise you will not be able to give each project the attention it deserves.
Agnès Bolleau
Posted on December 1, 2008
doctissimo.fr
The day is finally here! You're going to start your new job. To avoid last-minute setbacks and adrenaline rushes in the morning, think about choosing your outfit the day before, filling up your car with gas, checking your commute time… And don't forget your bag!
You've finally arrived…
Ideally, you've planned everything by calling your future supervisor a few days beforehand: you're expected and know exactly what you'll be tackling on your first day.
Often, the first day of a new job is the most difficult. You don't know anyone, you get lost in the building, you wait in the hall for a colleague designated to guide you to come and get you. You're told that no office is available for the moment and that no tasks can be assigned to you immediately. The extremely urgent mission for which you were hired may not be so urgent after all…
Find out!
Patience! This first day is important; it's the only day you have to get your bearings, absorb the company's habits, the ethical aspects and practical details of your mission. Also take the opportunity to ask basic questions: where can you find supplies, how to transfer calls, what is the organizational chart… but also where the company restaurant is!
Getting to know people
The most important thing is to get to know your future colleagues and supervisors. A tip: remember names, note down phone numbers and job titles. After a week, this kind of ignorance will be less forgivable.
Note that in some companies, a complete welcome process exists: comprehensive presentation brochures, integration seminar, training session…
Types of stress to expect:
In the early days, you may encounter many stressful situations:
• I didn't make the right choice
You will go through moments of doubt that you will have to accept. It is common that after making an important decision like accepting a new job, you wonder: "What have I done?" Give yourself time to get used to it.
• I don't know what I'm doing
And who does? Some days, you will feel lost and clueless; don't worry! Nobody expects you to know everything from the start. After about three months, you will wake up knowing everything there is to know.
• Nobody likes me
Know that you are like a new student arriving in the middle of the school year. Your colleagues are already divided into small groups or affinity groups. You will therefore have to make an effort and often take the first step to create bonds. Be open and friendly, go towards them.
• I made a complete mess
I guarantee that this will happen to you (especially during the first few months). Take it seriously, but don't beat yourself up. Acknowledge that you made a mistake, avoid repeating it in the future. Determine how you can improve things. Finally, if your mistake has harmed someone else, apologize to the person concerned.
• I can't keep up
This is the most common stress factor for early career people. You will have to get used to it. You will always have many tasks to accomplish and not enough time to do them. However, don't worry, prioritize and work on one project at a time. Also, if you are really too overwhelmed, there is no harm in saying no, otherwise you will not be able to give each project the attention it deserves.
Agnès Bolleau
Posted on December 1, 2008
doctissimo.fr
