The First Few Weeks on the Job: Like a Kid in a Candy Store

My clothes were selected, my work bag was packed with need-to-haves and nice-to-haves, and I’d snapped a screenshot with arrival directions and saved it to my photos app. Checklist done. I was ready-ish. 

It had been a long time since I'd been the new employee. I worked for 20 years at my last place of employment, and even though I held various positions, I was never entering as a completely new person. But recently I took a job at another organization altogether—a company specializing in sweets! While part of me felt like a kid in a candy store, another part of me felt insecure.

The obvious questions were on my mind the night before my first day: “what’s it going to be like?” “will I like them?” “will they like me?” and that deepest professional concern, “do I have what it takes to succeed?”

Starting at a new job can stir up plenty of anxiety. While today’s workers are moving around more than ever—an average of 12 times, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—each move presents common concerns and curiosities. Even the most courageous job-movers-and-shakers deal with first-day jitters. But not only can we shake them off—we can enter a new workplace with intention.

The morning of my first day, I stepped into the lobby of the building, followed those arrival directions, and walked a long hallway to the orientation meeting. I was glad I’d prepared not only my checklist, but also my mind and attitude. Doing so helped me make the most of the transition, and I’d like to pass along some ideas for your first few weeks:

1. Charge your sense of self

Celebrate all the ways you’ll have more complete fulfillment of your professional goals based on the skills you've gained and the goals you’ve set. Look back at your resume and the job description for the role you’re starting. Ground yourself in the exciting aspects of the new opportunity and how they align to your purpose. 

2. Renew where needed

New positions present the perfect chance for different ways of working or to reinvent yourself. Want to be more assertive? Or manage a zero inbox? Looking to change some personal tendencies? This is the time. 

3. Jot it down 

Write down all of your ideas without a filter in your first days or weeks. The highest level of innovation emerges when you’re not limited by systems, resources and processes, or “how we’ve always done it here.” After you’ve acclimated to the ways of doing things you may lose some of that initial, impartial critique. Keep a list of your thoughts—you’ll want to come back to them. 

4. Listen

Talk to at least 20 people—more if you can. Find a mix of coworkers who will provide varying points of view about your role and get their thoughts on what needs to be done. Ask questions like: 

“What’s been one of the barriers in this area?”

“What do you see as an immediate need?”

“How can I help you?”

Take notes and follow up with them on what you’ve heard. They can become your first allies.

5. Involve the whole family

A new job presents a fresh start for work and home life. I took time to share my excitement and nervousness with my children and to ask their advice about preparing for my first day. My seven-year-old said, “Pray.” My ten-year-old said, “At the old job, you would visit offices where you didn’t know anyone. Pretend this is one of them.” I followed their advice and it worked.

6. Make new friends, but keep the old 

When I was a Girl Scout we learned a song about friendship: “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.” I never forgot the lyrics. I received dozens of texts and calls from my former coworkers encouraging my new start and I proactively reached out with updates. While it may seem insignificant, their support was a beautiful reminder that true relationships transcend companies. 

So, congratulations! You got the job and you’ve got this! You will have energizing days and undoubtedly some draining ones too. Remember that your new coworkers were once new, as well; lean into their empathy and give yourself some grace while connecting with people who will help you to be successful. Look forward to the day—it’s coming soon—when you can welcome the next new person to the team.

Photo Credit: www.THREE20Media.com