09 May 4 tips for a successful transition to a new job
While taking on a new job can be exciting and motivating, it’s not without a little bit of fear and anxiety.
- Maybe it doesn’t turn out to be the job you thought
- Or you don’t get along with your colleagues or have an unsupportive boss
- What if you end up not really liking it in the end
All of these are valid thoughts and questions that may be rolling around in your head, and it may certainly take some time in your new position before you feel completely at ease.
But, you can make the transition as easy and streamlined as possible by following these four tips:
1) Stay positive
No matter how much uncertainty, anxiety, or negative thoughts you are experiencing, don’t let them take over and distract you as you go through the transition from your current job.
You have made this move for a reason, and you have been given a great opportunity to grow, change, and learn more in a new job.
Stay positive about this experience and these opportunities and ignore all those naysaying thoughts that show up in your mind.
2) Be prepared
There is nothing more discouraging or off-putting to your already fragile state of mind than having things go awry on your first day at work, making you look unprepared and unprofessional.
Take care of all of the little details before your first day comes:
- map out a route to get to work to make sure you arrive on time
- be aware of the dress code and know what to wear
- do some research into the office culture of your new place (i.e. brown bag lunches or take-out, open office concept, or closed doors etc.)
Whatever research you can do ahead of time will be very valuable for putting you at ease on the day you start.
3) Build routine and relationships
Once you are in your new job, the sheer number of changes, new people to meet, and new policies to understand can be overwhelming.
Navigate this by working on building a routine in your new position.
Look to the other current employees to see what their routines and day-to-day work schedule looks like and find what works for you.
Also look to these new people to build new work relationships.
Having people in your space that you can trust and use to help you is a critical part of easing into a new place as well as supporting you in a positive and productive transition.
4) Have confidence
You got the job after all!
Walk into the office with confidence, head high, wearing your best “I’m ready to tackle the world,” outfit, and shake hands with all the new people you meet.
Even if you are nervous, presenting confidence in yourself and your abilities will go a long way in easing your transition into the workplace.
Set yourself up for success on the first day of your job, and pretty soon you will feel like you have worked in the position and been in the company just as long as everyone else.