So, you’ve landed the job and can’t wait to start. Maybe you celebrated over drinks with friends and family. You picked out your first-day outfit and set your alarm two hours earlier than you needed to. You show up to your first day of your new job with a sense of pride and a bit of nervousness—after all, you are starting a new chapter. The first bunch of hours goes by…you are either feeling a warm welcome, knowing exactly what will happen next, or you may feel alone and like a fish out of water. Whatever the case may be, know that starting a new job is tough for anyone. While it’s exciting, it’s also a big transition that requires patience, an open mind, and maintaining the trust in your gut that encouraged you to take the job in the first place. With that said, regardless of how you are starting – whether in person or remote – here are a few tips to keep in mind:
You will likely feel like a fish out of water (and that’s perfectly normal):
We are creatures of habit, and when you have to create new habits, meet new people, and learn new systems, it can all be very overwhelming, but it can also be a path forward for growth. Know that you won’t always feel this way, and it may take time and hard work to get used to the newness of it all. It’s very normal to feel buyer’s remorse within the first few weeks of starting a new job. You may think to yourself, “Why did I ever start looking?” or “Did I really have it that bad before?”
Trust your gut:
There could be several reasons you decided to look for a new job in the first place–maybe you didn’t see a path forward for you, you wanted more money, or specific responsibilities. Whatever the reasons are, keep a list of those handy so you can remember why you made this change in the first place. It’s very easy to forget when you are in the moment, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the change to a new job. Don’t lose focus on your intentions. You might not feel instant gratification; you may even feel regret, but give it at least a few months before making a snap judgment.
Keep an open mind:
When starting a new job, it’s natural to compare how things are done to your past experiences and feel that your way might be better. But it’s important to keep an open mind and take the time to understand why processes exist as they do—there’s often a good reason. That said, improvement is always possible. Once you’ve learned the “why” and still see a better path forward, you can add real value by sharing your perspective. Remember, it’s rare for everything to fall into place on day one—or even day 30. If you made an intentional move for the long term, give yourself the patience and space to learn, adapt, and grow into the role.
The job search process is tough and takes a lot of time and energy. When you decide to take a new job, give yourself the space to see through the first six months. Every experience is an opportunity to learn what you like or don’t like and will continue to have an impact on your career journey. Along the way, you’ll also build valuable connections that can support you long after the role itself.