So, you applied for your dream part time job and nailed the interview! Bingo. You have been offered the role and now the time has come where you are ready to begin life in your new role.
Fantastic, right?
Yes, of course it is. Starting a new job can be an exciting and rewarding experience. After all, it’s what you wanted or else you wouldn’t have applied for the job in the first place.
But along with the excitement and anticipation come the inevitable feelings of job anxiety and stress. The fear of the unknown.
This is all perfectly normal and this is the main thing to remember. Everyone feels the same when they are beginning a new role.
You might be feeling pressure to perform well right from the moment you walk through the door. If you have been out of the workplace for some time, you might be feeling anxious about going into the new work environment.
And we all know how our minds can race through all those what ifs, making us feel worse. Irrational thoughts that have no base in facts!
Because it is normal to feel like this, it doesn’t mean you need to sit and suffer, wringing your hands at the thought of starting your new job. There are strategies you can employ that will give you a proactive approach to tackling your anxieties.
In this article, we will discuss ten practical tips to help you get over job anxiety and navigate your new role with confidence and ease.
Busy yourself with preparation & research
One of the best ways to alleviate anxiety is through adequate preparation and research.
Before you go into work on your first day, gather as much information as you can aboıut your new role. This might include going over what the job specifications were – what was it that attracted you to that role in the first place.
Look for any clues and evidence about the culture of the company and the expectations from your new job.
This can be done by familiarising yourself with the company’s website. Look for any staff testimonials, training materials or staff development programmes that might be on there.
If you know anyone that already works for the company, reach out to them and ask them about what it’s like to work there and what will be expected of you on your first day.
The more insights you can build, the more confident you will be when you begin life in your new part time job.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
Obviously, you will have sold yourself well on your application form for the part time job. And you also clearly impressed those who were present at the interview.
Now you have been awarded the job, you might feel that you need to be perfect right from the start; entering the workplace in a blaze of glory.
However, it is crucial to set realistic expectations for yourself when starting a new job.
Understand that it takes time to adjust, learn new skills, and build relationships with your new colleagues and, depending on the type of job you are doing, any customers or clients you might need to deal with.
Remember to keep telling yourself that everyone goes through a learning curve, and mistakes are part of the process.
Focus on what you wşll be able to do in your role for growth and improvement rather than immediate perfection. Because nobody else in the company should be expecting immediate perfection from you either.
Go for a walk to ease job anxiety
Seriously! At the very least, go for a walk.
If your mind is racing with worry about the what ifs of your upcoming new job, get out and go for a walk. And if this can be a walk in natural surroundings such as the countryside or your local woods, even better.
If you have a regular exercise routine already, don’t neglect this. Your exercise can help to calm your mind and also boost your confidence.
Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is crucial, especially during times of stress. And starting a new job can certainly be stressful.
Make sure to plan a system where you can maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting boundaries and dedicating time for activities you enjoy outside of work.
Engaging in regular exercise and practising mindfulness or meditation will help you to get enough sleep, as will a healthy and nutritious diet. When anxiety creeps in, it’s essential to have effective stress-relief techniques in your toolbox. Explore various techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or engaging in hobbies that help you relax.
When you prioritise self-care, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges of starting your new job.
Find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your routine. These practices can help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
Engage with your peers and superiors
Hopefully, your new part time job is going to bw with a company that values its staff. If this is the case, when you begin your role, you should be given the opportunity to speak with team leaders or supervisors to work out exactly what is expected of you.
This is also your opportunity to tell those people what you are hoping for from this role.
When you begin your job, make full use of the induction programme and any monitors that might be assigned to you. And also reach out to your colleagues for guidance and assistance. Remember, they were once in your position before and can offer valuable insights. Building relationships and seeking help when necessary will help you feel more supported and less isolated.
Build a positive mindset
Cultivating a positive mindset can do wonders for managing new job anxiety. Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, work on being in the present and thinking about what you can control right now.
Focus on the opportunities and exciting challenges that will come with your new part time job and remind yourself of your capabilities. Even if your new part time job is a new challenge and the type of work you have never done before, you still have transferable skills and qualities that will help you to succeed in your new job.
Remember that you were hired for a reason, and you have what it takes to succeed.
Get organised with effective time management
Depending on your individual circumstances, getting proactive with your time management will help to reduce the anxiety of beginning your new job.
If you need to plan childcare or care for other family members, make sure you have everything in place so that this reduces the stress.
Learning to manage your time effectively is essential for success and reducing anxiety. If you are juggling family and work, plan your day, set deadlines, and allocate time for different tasks – whether work tasks or jobs that need to be done around the home.
If you have a partner, sit down with that person and make sure they are onboard with the new setup; helping you where needed and taking their share of the load.
Use productivity tools such as calendars, task management apps, or project management software to help you stay organised.
By managing your time efficiently, you will increase your productivity and reduce your stress levels – and give yourself that all important work life balance that we mentioned earlier..
Break tasks into manageable steps
This is true both of your home life and that of your new part time job.
Feeling overwhelmed is a common experience when starting a new job.
To combat this, break down your tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Create a to-do list and prioritise your activities based on their urgency and importance. Batch cooking at home, for example, can ensure you and your family are getting nutritious meals and you are not spending time at the end of each day cooking for the family.
By taking things one step at a time, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and reduce the anxiety associated with overwhelming workloads.
View your new part time job as an opportunity for personal growth
Whatever type of job you are doing, approach it as an opportunity for growth and learning.
Embrace new challenges and seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.If there are any in hoıuse training sessions or opportunities to attend courses at other training centres, demonstrate that you are keen to attend these to build your knowledge and experience.
Likewise with any workshops, or conferences related to your field that might be happening outside of the workplace.
If you are treating your part time job as a stepping stone to building a new career or for getting back into your previous career after a break, make sure you engage in professional development activities that align with your career goals.
This will build your confidence and reduce the anxiety about fear of the unknown.
A win is a win – acknowledge & celebrate
Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem.
Nothing is irrelevant – whether in your job or in your life outside of the workplace. If you faced a challenge and overcame it, it’s time to give yourself a pat on the back for that and feel confident about your success.
When you begin your new part time job, recognize your progress and the milestones you achieve along the way. Even on your first day, after you have completed your shift, think back through your day and mark off what you have achieved.
By celebrating your small wins, you boost your confidence and motivation, which can help alleviate new job anxiety. Take pride in your accomplishments, and use them as reminders of your capabilities.
For those first early days or weeks in the workplace, it might help to keep written notes of what you have achieved each day.
This can be something directly related to your job or it can be something you have achieved with colleagues such as making new friends or feeling you have gained the respect of someone in the workplace. When you feel you are starting to fit in with colleagues and with the culture of the company and how it works, that new job anxiety will soon be a thing of the past.
And so, in conclusion
Starting a new job can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the right strategies, you can effectively manage new job anxiety.
Remember to
- Prepare by researching the company
- Set realistic expectations
- Not be afraid to ask for help wen you need it
- Build a positive mindset
- Prioritise self-care with mindfulness and an exercise regime such as taking walks
- Break tasks into manageable steps
- Develop effective time management skills so that your work life balance is in a healthy state
- Embrace continuous learning and celebrate your achievements along the way.
By acting on some of the strategies offered in this article you will be well-equipped to navigate the challenges of a new job with confidence and ease.
Embrace the opportunities that come with your new role, and remember that settling into your new role and the growth and adjustment that come with it, will take time.
Believe in yourself, stay positive, and enjoy the exciting journey of your new job!
