Tips for Starting a New Job
My husband recently decided to leave his job of over twelve years to pursue another opportunity.
He's been job hunting for a while now, but just recently has the perfect opportunity come along for him to transition into a new work environment. I'm thrilled, so proud, and can't wait to see what this new chapter holds for him. However, since he announced to me that he would be taking a new position, I've seen his smiles turn into forehead wrinkles and laughter truncated by thoughts of anxiety at the mention of leaving his current place of employment. He can't imagine not driving to the same space he's been at since his early 20s, or clocking out for the last time.
I, on the other hand, have only been out of college for two years, and have since had about six jobs- so I can't imagine that kind of time in one building. However, my husband has been clocking in and clocking out at the same place since I was in middle school (yes, he's older than me).
He's nervous- and rightfully so- to enter this new chapter in his life. So, take it from me, a serial job-changer, there are some things that you can do well in a time of transition, and other things that you do that can make the whole situation harder on yourself.
Here are my three best, and hopefully most unique, tips on how to tackle your first day at a new job.
1. The night before your first day at a new job, take a sleeping aid.
All of the books, HR reference articles, and career advice coaches all say to make sure that you get a good night's sleep the day before your first day. I learned long ago that with my countenance, aiming for an all natural good night of sleep before a huge new undertaking is not necessarily an easy task.
Now, the night before a big day, I take a melatonin supplement, just to help my nervous mind settle down for some beauty rest. Otherwise, I'm up for hours later than usual, thinking about traffic, what I'm going to wear, and running over potential conversations in my head. I'm not saying you should go out and take a huge sleeping pill that you've never tried before, but don't feel bad if you want a little help falling asleep the night before a big day. Just be sure to take melatonin plenty early, and consult your doctor with any questions.
2. Don't ever say to someone, "I'll probably forget your name" or "Oh, I'm bad at names."
Do you know how many people say those kinds of phrases? I've never actually heard someone say, "I'm great at names- tell me once and I'll never forget it!"
And that's okay- you don't need to remember everyone's name on the first day. But saying that you'll forget someone's name or that you're bad at names gives coworkers the impression that they aren't important or that you won't prioritize getting to know your new work peers. I'm not saying that you have to be best friends with anyone, but telling someone right off the bat that you'll forget their name is akin to meeting someone and saying that this conversation is useless because you'll never remember it.
I have a fairly uncommon name, and it's always bothered me when people have just met me and told me, "well it will probably take me a little while to get that." It's not that hard a name, and maybe if you just put in five seconds right now to have me spell it for you or make sure you're pronouncing it right- we won't have to deal with that awkward conversation we'll inevitably have by the water cooler in a few weeks when you keep pronouncing my name incorrectly and it's embarrassing when I have to correct you.
You may be bad at remembering names- most people are. But don't leave someone with that first impression of you.
3. My final piece of advice is to plan something fun after work on your first day.
Many of us have awkward first day on the job stories, and it can be overwhelming at the end of a long day in an office you're unfamiliar with. Every time that I've started a new job, my husband plans to take me out to dinner after the first day. This serves two purposes.
First, it allows me to retain a sense of normalcy in my life, even if my daily 9-5 perspective has shifted drastically. Going out to dinner with my husband reminds me that I still have a home, a normal life, and that I have fun things to look forward to.
Secondly, having something fun planned for the night after a first day keeps me looking towards the future. Some first days are boring- you might have to fill out a lot of paperwork or learn basic jargon or company policies- and having something fun on the calendar allows you to stay motivated to get through what is most likely a nerve-wracking experience. It doesn't have to be anything fancy- you could plan to watch a DVD in your pajamas or take your dog on a walk- but just be sure to have something nice on your mind after a day of a new job well done.
Best of luck in your new endeavor, and I wish you a fabulous first day!
-Nila
He's been job hunting for a while now, but just recently has the perfect opportunity come along for him to transition into a new work environment. I'm thrilled, so proud, and can't wait to see what this new chapter holds for him. However, since he announced to me that he would be taking a new position, I've seen his smiles turn into forehead wrinkles and laughter truncated by thoughts of anxiety at the mention of leaving his current place of employment. He can't imagine not driving to the same space he's been at since his early 20s, or clocking out for the last time.
I, on the other hand, have only been out of college for two years, and have since had about six jobs- so I can't imagine that kind of time in one building. However, my husband has been clocking in and clocking out at the same place since I was in middle school (yes, he's older than me).
He's nervous- and rightfully so- to enter this new chapter in his life. So, take it from me, a serial job-changer, there are some things that you can do well in a time of transition, and other things that you do that can make the whole situation harder on yourself.
Here are my three best, and hopefully most unique, tips on how to tackle your first day at a new job.
1. The night before your first day at a new job, take a sleeping aid.
All of the books, HR reference articles, and career advice coaches all say to make sure that you get a good night's sleep the day before your first day. I learned long ago that with my countenance, aiming for an all natural good night of sleep before a huge new undertaking is not necessarily an easy task.
Now, the night before a big day, I take a melatonin supplement, just to help my nervous mind settle down for some beauty rest. Otherwise, I'm up for hours later than usual, thinking about traffic, what I'm going to wear, and running over potential conversations in my head. I'm not saying you should go out and take a huge sleeping pill that you've never tried before, but don't feel bad if you want a little help falling asleep the night before a big day. Just be sure to take melatonin plenty early, and consult your doctor with any questions.
2. Don't ever say to someone, "I'll probably forget your name" or "Oh, I'm bad at names."
Do you know how many people say those kinds of phrases? I've never actually heard someone say, "I'm great at names- tell me once and I'll never forget it!"
And that's okay- you don't need to remember everyone's name on the first day. But saying that you'll forget someone's name or that you're bad at names gives coworkers the impression that they aren't important or that you won't prioritize getting to know your new work peers. I'm not saying that you have to be best friends with anyone, but telling someone right off the bat that you'll forget their name is akin to meeting someone and saying that this conversation is useless because you'll never remember it.
I have a fairly uncommon name, and it's always bothered me when people have just met me and told me, "well it will probably take me a little while to get that." It's not that hard a name, and maybe if you just put in five seconds right now to have me spell it for you or make sure you're pronouncing it right- we won't have to deal with that awkward conversation we'll inevitably have by the water cooler in a few weeks when you keep pronouncing my name incorrectly and it's embarrassing when I have to correct you.
You may be bad at remembering names- most people are. But don't leave someone with that first impression of you.
3. My final piece of advice is to plan something fun after work on your first day.
Many of us have awkward first day on the job stories, and it can be overwhelming at the end of a long day in an office you're unfamiliar with. Every time that I've started a new job, my husband plans to take me out to dinner after the first day. This serves two purposes.
First, it allows me to retain a sense of normalcy in my life, even if my daily 9-5 perspective has shifted drastically. Going out to dinner with my husband reminds me that I still have a home, a normal life, and that I have fun things to look forward to.
Secondly, having something fun planned for the night after a first day keeps me looking towards the future. Some first days are boring- you might have to fill out a lot of paperwork or learn basic jargon or company policies- and having something fun on the calendar allows you to stay motivated to get through what is most likely a nerve-wracking experience. It doesn't have to be anything fancy- you could plan to watch a DVD in your pajamas or take your dog on a walk- but just be sure to have something nice on your mind after a day of a new job well done.
Best of luck in your new endeavor, and I wish you a fabulous first day!
-Nila
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