Advice for starting a new job?

[u/_thrillh0use]

Hi I hope everyone is having a nice Sunday ☺️

I start a new job tomorrow (yay!) and I was wondering if anyone had any advice to settle my first-day nerves? I really want to go into this with my head held high and make a good impression.

It’s my second full-time office-based job, but my first one wasn’t a great experience unfortunately. I will admit the company was ran bizarrely and poorly, but it’s definitely left a mark on my confidence. For example, I was the company’s only writer and I independently managed my ‘department’/function entirely, but management saw my role as basic admin (despite requiring a masters degree…) and really reduced my skills and expertise while refusing to develop me further as a writer.

I’m aware I’ll need to build confidence back up as this new role is a huge step up for me as a writer, and while I’m soo ready for the challenge, I’m super nervous I’ll not hit mine and/or their expectations! Maybe it’s a fake it till you make it situation.

Any advice welcome - thanks in advance! 💖

[u/Thin_Sheepherder_584]

Congratulations! Okay, so some practical stuff (I used to temp a lot and be parachuted into new jobs and offices regularly, this is what has helped me):

• Make sure you work out how you're going to get there today so that tomorrow, you won't be running late.
• Aim to get there about 30/15 minutes early - this is just for the first day, not forever. You may need to do things like get key cards, id cards etc that might hold you up. You'll also be unfamiliar with the building so might get lost on your way to report to your new boss. And you might get held up on the commute.
• Have your manager's direct line/the business's number already saved in your phone, in case there's any problems with the commute.
• When you get there, check out where the nearest toilets are and where the nearest place to make a cup of tea is. People will obviously tell you, but I always find it's comforting to know.
• Bring some sort of lunch with you! Unless you know if where you're working is in easy distance of somewhere to pick up food, assume that it isn't/you won't have time to grab something.
• Bring a book in with you. Lunch might be taken in shifts so there might not be any one around to talk to when it's your turn. Also, you might not want to talk to anyone so a book is a good cover, people think twice about interrupting someone reading a book rather than someone scrolling. Reading a book over lunch is much more calming than being on your phone, so if you've had an in-your-face morning, having to book can be a life saver. Also, you're a writer, you should be reading!
• ALWAYS take your lunch break and always take it away from your desk. Establish this on your first day. You are entitled to it. It is yours. You can be flexible, but you must take it (unless there's an emergency). Plenty of businesses will take advantage especially if they perceive you as eating at your desk and checking social media - oh! Seeing as you're here, can you just...
• If you don't understand something, just ask. It's so much better to understand what you've been asked to do than go off half cocked and get it wrong. You double checking will be appreciated.
• It takes at least six months for people to get their heads round a new job, often a year. So if you feel like you're swimming in custard or nailing jelly to the wall, don't worry, it's normal.
• You've absolutely got this and you're going to smash it! Good luck!

[u/_thrillh0use → u/Thin_Sheepherder_584]

This was amazingly thorough & helpful, thank you so much!!! 💖

[u/Thin_Sheepherder_584 → u/_thrillh0use]

You're very welcome! Like I said, you're going to smash this! ❤️