Congratulations! You’re hired!  Your new job provides an opportunity for you to start something new and it can be exhilarating, especially when you are doing something that excites you. However, transitioning to a new job takes some adjustment, can be stressful and can take away from some of the excitement. You’re not only starting with a new company, but you are meeting new people, taking on a new role with new responsibilities, and possibly working in a different environment than what you are accustomed to.  Any new job comes with a lot of uncertainty so feeling a bit anxious is normal! 

Here are a few tips to help you kick those new job jitters!

1. UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE: Every company or workplace generally has their standard policies, procedures and new hire orientation that educates new employees on their company culture and vision. Take note of the company’s values and how they are demonstrated throughout the organization. Understanding the company’s purpose will help you determine how you can incorporate the same values into your daily routine and feel part of the company’s mission.  However, there may be things about the company culture that isn’t written down in a document or included in a presentation.  Taking strides to understand the new culture by asking your leader and other team members the unwritten rules such as “accepted arrival and departure times, leaving before the boss is a faux paw, brainstorming is encouraged on new projects,” will help you feel more at ease.

2. FIND A FRIEND AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS – In any new job, you will meet new people. If it’s a new job at a new company, you will most likely be introduced to many people you’ll be working with. Find out who you will work closely with. Cultivate relationships with those that depend on you and whom you depend on to get things done. Schedule introductions over coffee or lunch so you can talk business but also get to know each other.   Find something you have in common with someone you will work closely with will help you build rapport that supports your business goals as well as friendships. Build a relationship with someone who is also new and in the same boat. Sharing similar struggles or celebrating accomplishments with someone you have something in common with helps manage stress and anxiety during this time of transition. In addition, having friends at work is important if you care about succeeding. Check out these 11 Reasons why having friends at work are important.

3. ESTABLISH EXPECTATIONS WITH YOUR BOSS EARLY: Set up a meeting to make sure you understand your immediate and long-term job expectations.  This can include work schedules, how you request time off as well as what she expects you to accomplish over the next 30, 60, 90+ days.  Setting expectations early will help you achieve goals quickly and helps build your credibility for your team and your organization.  Knowing exactly what your boss expects will help reduce the stress of the unknown and help you create value immediately.

4. FOCUS ON LEARNING: Any job change involves learning new things, whether it be a new skill, a new industry or merely learning about those you work with. Take advantage of the fact that you have started a new job!  The first few weeks in a new job are generally when you will have the most time to adapt to your new environment. This is when you have the most time to learn more about your company, understand their services and products, complete training, review their policies and procedures and brush up on the skills you need to be successful in your new role.  This is your time to observe a peer, ask tons of questions and truly understand your position and where you fit within the organization. Take advantage of the tools and resources your company provides to help you with this. After you’ve been on the job for a while, the time to truly focus on learning tends to dwindle so seize the moment and learn all that you can during this transition.

Adjusting to a new job and/or company can be made a whole lot easier when you slow down to speed up.  However, in the event that you find yourself feeling a little stressed during your transition, here are 10 Tips to Manage Stress Successfully.  Additionally, it’s important that you realize that it is okay to take the time to adjust to your new role and accept that you need time to acclimate and learn the new valuable skills you need to be productive.  When you do these things, your anxiety level will decrease, and it will allow you to truly enjoy what made you decide to accept your new role in the first place.

Let SalesBoost help you up your skills and ease with your job transition!  Check out our updated course list!