I'm New Here. And I'm Overwhelmed.

by Kelsey Alpaio, Senior Associate Editor

I recently celebrated my three-year anniversary at work, and it got me thinking back to my first day on the job. Let’s just say, it didn’t go according to plan.

Here’s what I set out to achieve on my first day: 

• Make a great first impression on all of my new coworkers 
• Create a list of achievable “quick wins” to tackle in my first week
• Get my laptop set up with the essentials 
• Hit the ground running on my first project

Here’s what I actually got done:

• Signed into my laptop after two hours of typing in the wrong password
• Kind of paid attention during a lengthy onboarding session
• Didn’t kill the new plant I’d bought for my home office
• Managed not to cry (that much) while dealing with the stress of this big change

New jobs can be exciting — they give you a chance to start fresh, build new relationships, and set better boundaries. But they can also be overwhelming. You have so much to figure out. There’s the interpersonal stuff, like what’s your new boss’s working style? There’s the cultural stuff, like is it really okay to take an hour for lunch? And there’s the technical stuff, like how do you even send a calendar invite on Outlook? 

Here’s your reminder that you don’t have to figure out any of this on your first day, or even in your first week. Adjusting to a new role takes time. The best advice I can give you is to lean into your newness. Your “I’m new here” card only lasts for so long, so use it! Ask the “obvious” questions. Meet as many of your coworkers as you can. Bask in the slowness of your day before you’re inevitably tasked with too many projects. 

If you’re starting a new job soon, I hope this advice from our authors makes the transition a little easier. 

Recommended Reads 

Break Your Bad Habits Before Starting a New Job

A new job offers an excellent opportunity to break up with the past, leverage and build on our strengths, and chart a new course.

Read the full article here.

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My First Job

From the very beginning, play the long game. 

Read the full article here.

Ask an Expert: How Do I Ask for Time Off in a New Job?

There’s no such thing as “earning” a break.

Read the full article here.

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