Newbie nerves, and how to get rid of them
Starting a new job is never easy, whether it's struggling to work the coffee machine in front of your boss or not being able to shake imposter syndrome. There will always be a learning curve to get into the company groove, but don't fear! We're here to help, with a list of five top tips on how to make the most of being the newbie.
Remember that everyone was new once!
When you're making the espresso machine milk frother scream instead of sing, that guy looking at you in the coffee line is probably just thinking "Ah yes, I remember those days'". Literally, everyone has one or two teething problems in a new role, even your boss! So remember, in a few months time when the next new guy starts, you'll be the one standing in the coffee line reminiscing about the good ol' days.
Ask questions. Lots of questions!
When you start a new job, your manager will expect you to not know everything. It is always a better look to ask questions when you don't know how to do something than to pretend you're an expert and hand in subpar work. Your managers will be there to help you, and asking questions is actually a sign of being a good employee, not a bad one! Of course, keep this advice within reason - instead of spamming your manager's Slack channel every five seconds, first, try to give whatever challenge you're facing a go!
Imposter syndrome is a thing. And it sucks!
Imposter syndrome is where you just can't shake the feeling of feeling unqualified for the job or feeling like a 'fraud' within your workplace. If you find yourself feeling like this, you're in good company - Maya Angelou, Tina Fey and Michelle Obama have all talked about experiencing imposter syndrome throughout their careers. Some tips to help you stop feeling like a fraud, and owning your right to be there, are:
Make a list of your qualifications and skills. Chances are, you are just as qualified, if not more, for the job than those around you!
Own your accomplishments! Think of the things you have done in your professional career or personal life that you are proud of, and make a list.
Visualise success. Instead of imagining yourself getting tongue-tied during an interview, or messing up an important presentation, picture yourself smashing it! How good would that feel? Take that confidence into the situation, and often, you'll find that your imagination can inspire experience!
Get involved!
A lot of offices have social events going on, whether it be 11am quiz time or after-work drinks. Try your best to get actively involved in the work social scene, and you'll find that coming to work every day gets less and less intimidating. Nothing says workplace bonding more than teaming up against the morning Stuff quiz!
Find a work/life balance.
In a new job, it can be easy to put work in front of everything else as you try to impress your boss. However, this lifestyle is not sustainable and burnout can be just around the corner if you keep it up for too long! It's super important to keep up your own life outside of the office, so make sure to schedule some social events with friends, or just set aside a night or two for 'me time'. Self-care is key to being a happy, healthy and productive employee!
These are just a few tips on how to keep on top of starting a new job. Remember, communication is key so talk to your colleagues and managers about how you're feeling. Especially if you're new to working in a professional environment, it is so easy to feel overwhelmed but there are plenty of ways to take a step back and relax without putting your job at risk.
