Congratulations! You’re finally starting your first job. Looking dapper your clean-cut suit, you’re excited to showcase your skills and build a career that will take you right to the top of the ladder. Your moment to make a mark in the world is finally here!
Until… you walk through the door, and then you feel it; overwhelming anxiety starts to rise from within. All of a sudden, you feel like a lamb in a pack of wolves. You don’t know who to talk to, how things are done, or even where the good coffee is.
Sure, you’re as qualified as the rest of your colleagues, probably even better — your education is still fresh in your mind. As such, it should be pretty easy to settle in the job fairly quickly. But is it?
The reality is, it’ll take you a little more than qualifications and a job title to settle in your first job. The following strategies will help you transition faster and easier.
1. Use body language.
Again, your academic qualifications will get you to the door, but it’s your social skills that will take you through it. As a newbie, you might feel the urge to overcompensate in order to make an impression.
But since you're still a stranger to your colleagues, you’ll need to avoid going over the top with your conversations. In a new environment, the first impression is what sets the stage for how people treat you, and subsequently, how you assimilate into the team.
Studies show that body language is more important than the words we speak. In fact, over 90% of our communication is unspoken. It’s everything. From how we make gestures, the expressions on our faces, our silence, and even the clothes we wear.
As a newcomer, the key is to use body language to signal that you’re open to conversations. Simple acts like an inviting smile, eye contact, a nod, or a handshake exude positivity. People are drawn to good vibes and positive energy.
Relaxation is a key element of your body language. So, when you approach your new colleagues, try to relax - even if you can feel butterflies fluttering in your belly. When you breathe and speak slowly, it signals that you’re available for a chat.
This way, your colleagues will feel free to reach out, and pretty soon, you’ll begin to forge friendships. This is key to your career growth because the faster you settle in the company, the better your level of performance.
2. Seek a mentor.
That feeling of being a lamb in a pack of wolves? It diminishes when you have a mentor. The opportunity of building a more robust internal network makes it more likely you’ll stay in the company for a long time, which is great if you intend to climb up the ladder within the organization.
According to a study, having a mentor not only increases your job-related wellbeing, but it also boosts your confidence and self-esteem, helping you transition smoothly in the workplace. Fortunately, there will always be one person who is more than happy to help. Most people are generally polite.
Ok, you’ve done well, to settle in, but we all know job satisfaction is a crucial thing, right? Again, this is where your mentor comes in handy you become comfortable asking questions you’d typically shy away from asking in a big office setting.
This is the best way to learn.
3. Have clear goals.
Without clear goals, you risk feeling lost in your first job - or any job for that matter. Sure, your boss might define your job description, but oftentimes, you’ll still find some blurry lines in your new role.
This is where clear, concise goals come to play. Elements such as your key performance indicators are your map, without which you’ll end up devoting yourself in roles that don’t move the needle.
Brian Tracy, advises;
“A goal, is something distinctly different from a wish. It is clear, written, and specific. It can be quickly and easily described to another person. You can measure it, and you know when you have achieved it or not.”
Think about it, without clear goals, you can’t prioritize tasks, which means you can’t focus. But when you’re focused, you not only become productive, but your motivation stays high– which is a great feeling when you’re settling in a new job.
You and I know that taking ownership and pride in one's work feels wonderful- it can even make you dance a little bit. When that happens during your first job, you start to feel like somebody. Without concise goals, though, you can’t get there.
4. Develop a positive mindset
Do you like hanging around negative people? Exactly. So, although you may feel overwhelmed by anxiety as a newbie, you must build a positive mindset if you want to settle in faster. This strategy is by far the most important of all.
You build a positive mindset by rewiring your mind. Refuse to allow that annoying imposter syndrome to take root in your head. Reflect on all the hard work you’ve put in this far. Recount all your recent accomplishments.
Also, tell yourself that every single person in your office has felt like that at some point. It’ll help you to remain calm. This way, you’ll not worry about making mistakes, you’ll learn new ideas faster because you’ll not be too fussed about looking stupid.
A positive mindset helps you stay focused on the bigger picture. Instead of feeling like you have to, you appreciate that you get to. Rather than viewing your new job as overwhelming, you see it as an opportunity to solve problems and grow.
Roy T Bennet says it best;
“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.”
― Roy T. Bennet
Remember, everyone starts somewhere, even the most accomplished. Learn everything you can in the earlier days. It may be an anxious experience at first but with time, you’ll find your footing within the company. Remind yourself that you’ve earned the right to be in the job.