The job you wanted has finally emailed back, and you bagged the position! Well done.

But know, thoughts are spinning around your head, and the endless possible scenarios of what the work ‘might be like’ are driving you crazy.

When beginning something new, many people suffer from “imposter syndrome.” Everyone has some degree of apprehension about the future.

We, humans, are very much a creature of habit, and we take great comfort in our established habits and patterns. So when something new is introduced, like a new job where we don’t know anything, this can trigger our flight and light defences and cause some anxiety.

Knowing how to overcome the mental block and bias of always second-guessing your decisions is a great starting point. Your new boss has faith in your abilities to succeed. So should you.


Here are seven amazing tips to help you get out of your head and help you get into your new role.

1. Focus and Prioritize
Your first few weeks at a new job will likely be filled with meetings, emails, phone calls, and other things that need to be done.

You may feel overwhelmed by all these tasks and not have time to think about yourself or your new job. Pay attention to one thing at a time and determine which of several tasks is more pressing.

2. Right Skills and Attitude
The most important skill in any job is having the right attitude.

If you’re feeling anxious, it’s easy to let that affect your performance in your new role.

If you rock up to work in a bad mood, this will affect your day and the input you put into the position. This moves us onto our next tip, Habits.

3. Have Good Habits
Having good habits is key to success in life. So why should you apply this to your new job? First, good habits give you more energy and motivation throughout the day.

So this means getting to sleep at a reasonable time. No more playing video games till 2 am in the morning. According to the UK Health Security Agency, sleep deprivation can deteriorate performance.

What you do and put into your body will link to your energy and boost your mood, making work more enjoyable. Nobody wants to see you yawning at your desk or your stomach rumbling at a meeting.

4. Build Relationships
Building relationships is an underrated part of working in a team environment. When you build relationships with your colleagues, you’ll find that you enjoy your job more. You’ll pick up some useful information from one another as well.

Remember, everyone that’s at work was new once too. So chat with them over the morning coffee, hang out, grab a beer after work, and learn about their experiences. You can get to know your co-workers better in a variety of ways.

Building relationships will help you feel more comfortable and less anxious when walking into a meeting if you know someone there.

5. Ask Questions
You can’t learn anything in life without asking questions to understand. This could be asking your manager or colleague you’ve just met about their role.

Or maybe ask your boss about his/her expectations of you. This will show him/her that you want to understand the company culture and the role you’ll be taking on.

You are new, and you aren’t a walking Google. Of course, there will be things you won’t know the answer to.

6. Look at the Big Picture
It’s important to consider your career goals. What are your goals for this position?

This will help you stay focused and motivated during your first few months. Remember how you felt when you first stepped foot in your classroom. You probably had the same feelings of anticipation. But you managed to conquer those milestones, and you can conquer this one too.

7. Give Yourself a Break
Finally, remember that you don’t have to get everything done straight away; it doesn’t need to be perfect.

So, go ahead and let yourself chill out for a bit. It’s ok to take a step back and reflect on where you are now. If you struggle with your mental health while at work, contact your employer and share your concerns.


Congratulations…
Now take a deep breath and celebrate.

With the assistance of Student Employment Services, you can launch a successful professional career. Feel free to contact us to learn more about how we can assist you in locating a rewarding career opportunity following your graduation.