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It's scary to start a new job. First day at a new job: how to deal with fear. New people - different people

Erofeevskaya Natalya

For a number of reasons, the old work has ceased to suit? A small salary, work volumes growing every week, loss of interest in fulfilling duties and their effectiveness, disagreements in the team, ... - you understand: yes, something urgently needs to be changed. But… as soon as it comes to a concrete realization and the search for a new job, you are seized by a monstrous panic, a stressful psychological rejection of cardinal changes in life and a physical tremor in the knees. What will be the new job responsibilities and will I be able to handle them? How friendly will the team be? How will the relationship with the leader develop? Will I survive the probationary period and not lose my self-esteem? So many questions and not a single answer until you open that very new door to a new office.

Often, the fear of a new job literally paralyzes: perhaps such a fear, inexplicable by modern intelligence, has been going on since ancient Soviet times, when running from one workplace to another was simply not accepted. A real Soviet person went to work immediately after an institute or technical school and worked in one place and in one work team until retirement. “She gave forty-five years to our enterprise!”, “He went through a difficult labor path from an apprentice to a foreman!” - familiar? , as they say, for centuries and, even if something did not suit them very much, they put up with it, not dreaming of a new job. The conservatism of thinking has gone away over time, and people no longer cling to their work, but fear ... fear of the new and unknown remains.

According to psychologists, changing jobs every four or five years is not only recommended, but also necessary, since this allows you to move on, acquire new skills and abilities, develop flexibility of thinking and not “grow with moss on the spot.” But many people are crushed by a natural desire to change something - and all because of it: fear of a new job and a new team.

Why are people afraid of a new job?

Of course, not everyone strives for novelty in their work: someone will find it much more convenient and calmer to have such a familiar workplace with duties learned by heart and the same work performed day after day to automatism. Everything is familiar here and why change to something new? But another category, and it is about such people that the article will be discussed, is terrified of changing jobs after sitting for several years in one place - even if a better salary and better conditions are expected there. Why? There are several reasons for this:

Such people will certainly, when thinking about changing jobs, ask themselves questions: what if in a new job you have to do something that you have not encountered before? What if I'm not smart enough and look stupid? Suddenly, new opportunities will turn into a protracted exhaustion of nerves and the realization of one's own incompetence?
. If a person is not distinguished by sociability and it is difficult for him to make new acquaintances, including business ones, it is especially acute in another work collective. This is not entirely the fault of the worker himself - a lot depends on the team in which he comes. , for example, a newly arrived woman may not be accepted at all - communication will remain alien and aggressive, no matter what you do. Another negative option may be your coming to the place of a person who was loved and respected in the team, but due to circumstances he can no longer work: constant comparison with him may be far from in your favor.
Twisting yourself. Sitting and thinking endlessly about new people, new tasks, a new office, realizing that you are not ready to break away from a warm and so familiar place, can lead to enough. You should either calm down and let go of the thought of possible prospects, or take a breath and exhale and plunge headlong into a new working life, solving problems as they arise.
Fear of the authorities - this point partially follows from the first: low self-esteem does not allow you to immediately position yourself as a competent, punctual and responsible employee, and therefore a person begins to tremble even before entering the boss's office. If the boss turns out to be correct and gives time to adapt to the duties and the new team - cheers, this difficult psychologically and emotionally stage will pass almost imperceptibly for you. If the leader is strict, harsh and unfriendly, then the development of a negative scenario is also possible.

The scale of the new work is intimidating. Moreover, the “scale” is literally: it is psychologically difficult to move from a small cozy office to a huge glass office. A person gets used not only to the environment, but also to the volumes of this environment.

The reasons for the fear of a new job, of course, have a psychological background, and therefore, only by dealing with them, you can overcome this depressing phobia.

How to deal with the fear of a new job

It happens that the thought of a new job is exhausting not only emotionally, but also physically: a person loses his appetite, at night he has nightmares with a beast-boss, angry colleagues and dissatisfied customers (if work in the service sector is supposed), his head hurts, blood pressure jumps sweaty palms and difficulty breathing. These are all manifestations, with which it is almost impossible to cope with simple self-exhortations - you need to seek the advice of a psychologist or, which many choose, give up thinking about new perspectives.

If the fear of a new job is not so strong, then try to "persuade" yourself: in the end, you can always just try - and if you "do not settle down" in a new place, move on in search of real interest and comfort.

Talk to yourself: if the pros of a new job outweigh the cons, and the desire to change your life is still strong, there is every chance of finding a new and interesting activity

Ambitious people will be spurred on by the possibility of their own professional growth and the acquisition of useful skills: if the future work promises to be successful in terms of career, then in order to achieve the desired goal, a person is capable of much - fear will recede by itself.

New people - different people

The new labor collective is not teenage children who are able to “smear” the newcomer. In your thoughts, start from the fact that adults will meet you - of course, they will not hug and kiss you, this is not America. And if you are met with indifference - well, that's not bad: having figured out how to behave in a new team, over time you will become part of this close-knit team. Try to belittle your abilities less, don’t cry over your own clumsiness and mistakes (everyone has them), don’t hold yourself arrogantly, but don’t try to get close to colleagues in the very first days. Stop, look, listen more than you talk, don't be intrusive and don't torment yourself with the questions: "What are they talking about behind my back?" and “How do they look at me?”.

Morally, one should also prepare oneself for the fact that a wonderful person cannot always be accepted by an established team, and he will remain a stranger: well, this makes it possible to concentrate only on working moments and working relationships.

If you are afraid of new people, including at work, develop a sense of independence and self-confidence, get rid of hypersensitivity to the opinions of others

Lonely people of both sexes, panicking in front of new colleagues, will be helped by the thought: what if I meet Her or Him there? Think about it - after all, it often happens: and then you won’t drag yourself to work, like hard labor, but fly on wings.

Fear of a new leader

Fear of the boss is a separate category of “working” fears: there is always a risk of getting a new leader, even without changing jobs. This is not the worst case scenario: you remained in the same team, at your same workplace, it is possible that the work performed will remain the same. But people are different, and leaders also meet with different characters and visions of the work of the organization - from literate and correct people to petty tyrants and adherents of the totalitarian regime. Whether or not you are afraid of a new boss, there are only two options: either you learn to communicate with the boss, despite his views on work and subordinates, or you should think about finding a new job.

Getting along with your boss is a whole science, the study of which will have to be (whether you like it or not) approached responsibly and seriously. The leader is the person on whom your working life and acceptance of its results directly depend. After all, a lot of requirements are also presented to the boss, which, if necessary, you can clarify: the specifics of the tasks set, job responsibilities and the possibility of their execution (including technical), criteria for evaluating the work done. Yes, not all bosses are good, and sometimes you may have to - this is also a communication experience, and it will certainly come in handy in the future.

And again - like the first time? ..

A lot depends on the temperament and character of the job seeker himself: some take both sidelong glances and whispers of colleagues in the corners to heart, others distance themselves so much that such “impenetrability” will border on indifference and unhealthy indifference. Sociable people usually do not suffer from questions about how comfortable they will seem in a new, unfamiliar place - relying on the strength of their own, they will indeed be in the black. A cheerful and sociable character, unwillingness to gossip, and the right attitude to work do wonders: it is easy for such a person to adapt to the new business community, make friends, and create normal contact with the boss.

It will be more difficult for those who relate, but such people usually do not strive to work in huge companies with hundreds of employees - they understand that they feel more comfortable, more confident and calmer in a chamber-sized office with a minimum of colleagues.

Separately, it is worth noting the case when the negative experience of coming to a new job has already taken place in life - yes, then I had to endure the nitpicking of the boss, and the lack of help and understanding of colleagues, and possible mistakes in work duties. If a person has drawn conclusions for himself, then, despite the fear of another job, it will be easier for him even with a sad past experience. In such cases, it is important not to allow yourself to self-program yourself for another work failure: the scenario will not necessarily repeat itself, and therefore go “for the first time to first grade” with pleasant excitement and expectations of only positive and useful things.

And finally. The only really effective way to get around the fear of a new job and a new team is the need for “daily bread”: a person must support himself, and if he also has a family and children, then the need to earn money to support them, pay utility bills, education, clothes and shoes throws aside all sorts of fears. For the sake of the wages necessary for life, people are able to give up even their own phobias cherished over the years: fear will give way to interest and vital necessity, stress will pass, and changes in the working biography will turn out to be for the better - you won’t know until you try!

January 17, 2014, 12:40

In this article, I will not consider the case when you just got your first serious job in your life. Everything here is brand new. Everything is unusual. And advice on professional and social adaptation can be given countless.

Rule one. Let's open the chakras and calm down.

So, you are sitting on a new chair for the first day and immediately want to impress the new leadership with your remarkable talents. Nothing will come of it. You are under stress.

Whether you are so nervous that your hands are shaking or you feel a little nervous - this already depends on your personality traits. When in such a suspended state you are trying to prove that you are the best, it leads to unnecessary fuss. You will make twice as many mistakes.

By the way, if you make a mistake, don't be afraid to admit it. Try to suggest ways to fix it. And now let's take a deep breath, remember that only angels are without flaws, and even those in heaven, and open the chakras to receive as much information as possible from the outside.

Rule two. We ask questions and warm our ears.

But the information will pour on you in an endless stream. And keeping most of it in your head is the number one task in the first days of work.
You are lucky if you were met by a wise mentor on the threshold of the office. And told you the following:

Job instructions. As a matter of fact, what responsibilities are assigned to you and to what extent.
Inner order rules. Is it customary to make tea with cookies at the workplace, how many times a day you can go for a smoke break, how much time is allotted for lunch.
It would be ideal if you were initiated into some small things. Let's say the boss doesn't like it when people sing under their breath in the workplace. But, most likely, you will have to get such information yourself.

Therefore, we warm our ears! That is, we learn about the rules of the dress code, if it exists. If loose clothing is allowed, try not to dress too provocatively in the early days. Later, you will be able to determine what is acceptable in this team, and what is better to avoid. The appearance of a new employee can be one of the annoying factors for the "oldies".

Rule four, five, six, etc.

No need for gossip. Washing the bones is an unworthy occupation. And for a new employee is simply unacceptable.

Do not talk on personal topics on the mobile, and even more so on the office phone. In extreme cases, you should leave the working room.

Don't be late. Remember, accuracy is the courtesy of kings!

Don't stay up late. Evening gatherings most likely mean that you cannot properly plan your working day or are trying to curry favor with your superiors. Neither of these will work for you.

Of course, running headlong as soon as the arrows reached six in the evening is also not worth it. We maintain a balance.

Remember, any organization is a complex mechanism. And you will be able to become its full-fledged cog only in a few months. I hope these rules will help you spend these months without unnecessary nerves!

But they did not mention the fear that almost all people experience when entering a new job. It is unlikely that he has any scientific name, but this fact does not prevent the beginner from worrying and being afraid to tremble in the knees, sorting through the possible scenarios in his mind and presenting chilling pictures: either the team does not accept him and builds all sorts of intrigues, then the boss turns out to be a tyrant, distributing stupid orders. Not surprisingly, the first day at a new job, as well as its anticipation, is a serious test for any of us. About how to overcome it with the least mental loss - in the reasoning of the author of "Cleo".

Maybe it's me who is especially impressionable, or maybe it happens to almost everyone, but the first day at a new job is always difficult for me, and even waiting for it is completely exhausting. It begins, as a rule, in a couple of days, bringing a lot of unanswered questions and activating a rather rich imagination. The latter does not spare me at all: I imagine how my colleagues arrogantly laugh at any of my awkward actions, do not want to help in anything, and at dinner they pretend that I do not exist at all. Do I need to say that the day before I go to work, I almost hate her? The fear of the unknown kills absolutely all the positive emotions that I experienced until recently, and all I feel is a lump in my throat. I am afraid to misunderstand the first task, I am afraid of becoming the subject of ridicule and jokes in an already established team, I am afraid, in the end, that this team will not accept me into their “family” and I will, weeping bitterly, dine alone in the toilet cubicle, as they show in American teen comedies. Of course, the latter is nothing more than irony, and schoolchildren rather than adults experience such fear, but we are not alien to feelings about forced communication with new colleagues. Even the most self-confident person worries when they find themselves in an unusual environment.

Even the most self-confident person worries when they find themselves in an unusual environment.

Since I have already changed jobs more than once, I went crazy with fear on the eve of the first working day more than once. And at some point I decided that it was impossible: it was stupid to be afraid in advance of what might not happen. Such “empty” emotions become only a source of stress and certainly do not help us to work productively and win over people. If you, too, are losing your appetite at the thought of heading to a new office tomorrow with new colleagues and a new boss, then try to pull yourself together with the tips below. For me they really work.

Separate the wheat from the chaff

When you are afraid of something, you feel uncomfortable. When you are afraid of something that is not clear, it is even more uncomfortable. Based on this, I decided that from now on I will always determine whether my fears have any basis. This helps a lot to get rid of far-fetched fears that are exhausting no less than real ones. To understand if there is a real threat, I write out all my fears on a piece of paper and critically evaluate what can actually happen from this, and what is the fruit of my rich imagination. When there are half as many “enemies”, it becomes much easier to fight.

When you are afraid of something, you feel uncomfortable. When you are afraid of something that is not clear, it is even more uncomfortable.

Win mentally

So, we understood what situations really should be feared. But we also know that there is no guarantee that events will develop exactly according to this negative scenario, perhaps everything will work out in the best way. What does "best" mean to you? Imagine how you come to work and see that it is a real dream. Colleagues are friendly, the boss is understanding and tactful, your workplace is comfortable and modern. What more could you want? Set yourself up in a positive mood today, mentally conquer all your fears so that tomorrow you can come to work in a good mood and not expect a dirty trick from everywhere.

Needle-tailored suit

Prepare your clothes for the first day of work in advance. Firstly, the people around will obviously not be delighted with a new colleague who will come to the office in a wrinkled skirt and a washed-out blouse. Secondly, you yourself will feel more confident knowing that you are dressed to the nines. Of great importance is the same and what kind of clothes you choose. Of course, if the company has a dress code, then everything is quite simple: comply with it, and there will be no problems. But if there are no clear rules, you should be careful: no mini-skirts, children's T-shirts and jeans with a low waist. Think about it: you yourself would be wary of a new girl who showed up for work in what she most likely went to the club yesterday.

Smile but don't bother

Show that you are interested in this work and really want to understand what is here and why.

Now let's talk about the first working day. Your behavior is just as important as your appearance. You know that a smile is disarming, and excessive helpfulness is alarming, so be friendly with new colleagues, but do not go too far: you should not intentionally try to please someone and go out of your way, if only the new boss notices you today. Perhaps he will notice, thinking: “Who did I hire?”, But this one is not at all what you need. Therefore, do not take on everything at once (no one expects that on the first working day you will grab the stars from the sky), do not brag about your successes and knowledge, but rather absorb new information like a sponge. Show that you are interested in this work and really want to understand what is here and why.

The long search for a suitable job and interviews are finally over. It would seem that having acquired the coveted position, you can forget about the experiences. However, you constantly worry about how your first day at work will go. This excitement is understandable, but do not be too afraid. Careful preparation, self-control and advice from psychologists will help you make a good impression on new colleagues.

Start preparing early

If, following the results of the interview, you were hired, you should not immediately run away, crumbling in gratitude, and rush to celebrate your victory with friends and relatives. Take a deep breath, pull yourself together and ask some important questions to the leader. To make your first day at work as easy as possible, please provide the following information:

who you will meet, who will oversee your work and who you can turn to for help and advice;
specify the work schedule;
be sure to ask if the organization has a dress code;
make a list of documents that you need to have with you for registration;
find out what software products you will have to work with in order to study them properly at home;
be sure to write down all the information in a notebook so as not to forget anything.

It never hurts to additionally go through the official website of the organization in which you are going to work. There you can find additional information, as well as fix the information already received in memory.

What to do the day before

At a new job, this is definitely a lot of stress. To minimize the experience, you should carefully prepare the day before. It is best to spend this day at your leisure - go to the cinema with friends or go to nature with your family. You should get the maximum of positive emotions, so as not to leave room for excitement. Be sure to go to bed early.

In order not to forget anything in a hurry, in the evening you need to do the following:

decide on your work wardrobe and prepare all things so that in the morning you only have to get dressed;
make a list of necessary documents and immediately put them in a bag;
make a script of actions for the morning, so as not to get confused;
plan how you will get to work, taking into account everything to avoid being late.

Never put off getting ready for the morning. Believe me, you will not be up to it. It is better to sleep an extra half an hour, cook a delicious breakfast and take the time to do your hair or make-up.

Everything new is stressful, and even more so when it comes to work. You will have to get comfortable in an unfamiliar team and quickly figure out your responsibilities. Naturally, an unprepared person can become confused or even lose his temper. That is why it is worth taking an extremely responsible approach to such an event as the first day at work. How to behave, psychologists will tell you:

Throw aside unnecessary experiences. Everyone goes through a difficult process Tune in to the fact that every day it will be easier for you.
Treat colleagues with the utmost respect. At the same time, your face should radiate friendliness. So you quickly establish contact with employees and find friends.
Be involved. Empathy for failures and joy for the successes of colleagues is an important point in networking. However, there is no need to be overbearing.
Your problems and troubles should not be made public. In addition, in no case do not demonstrate to colleagues.
In no case do not host in someone else's workplace. Even if it’s in the order of things to use someone’s phone, stapler or printer at the company, you shouldn’t do this on the first working day.
Don't talk too much about yourself, don't brag about your skills and talents. First of all, you should show interest in the work.
Spend your first day at work observing. This applies not only to the work process, but also to the behavior of colleagues. Knowing their character traits, it will be easier for you to adapt in the team.
Don't wait for your superiors to call you to make a remark. At first, it is better to report to management on your own in order to control the correct execution of work.
Drive away negativity and despondency. Imagine what success you can achieve today, in a week, in a month, in a year. Thoughts are material, and therefore they must be positive and bright.
Use the status of a beginner and do not strive to immediately show brilliant results. To get started, try to delve deeper into the details of the work.

The main rule to follow when starting a new business is a positive mood. Enter the office with smiles and wishes for a successful working day. It is very important to do this sincerely. If you are not in the mood, then there is no need for forced grimaces. Enough to confine ourselves to a polite greeting.

What Not to Do

On the first day at work, many make mistakes that can prevent further adaptation in the team. To get to know colleagues smoothly, in no case should you do the following:

be late (even if it happened through no fault of yours, in the eyes of colleagues and superiors you will be a non-punctual person);
forget names (it would seem that this is a trifle, but it can offend, so write it down if you are not sure of your memory);
flatter both superiors and employees;
show off (it is better to prove your superiority with excellent work);
talk about your previous job (perhaps colleagues will listen to you with interest, but bosses may not like it);
establish their own rules in the office; taking on too many obligations both in terms of work and in terms of personal relationships with colleagues;
insist on something if you do not understand the issue;
advertise friendship or kinship with superiors or high-ranking officials (especially if you got a place under their patronage);
immediately impose their friendship or closer relationship.

Of course, no one is immune from mistakes, but at first it is better to keep yourself under control. If you manage to establish yourself well and become a valuable employee, then over time you will be forgiven for some mistakes.

What to do on the first day

The first day at a new job is a big test. Nevertheless, you need to drop the panic and turn on rational thinking. In order to make work easier for you in the future, on the first day you need to complete the following minimum program:

Take the initiative to meet colleagues. Remember that you are in an already established team, and in order to occupy a certain niche in it, you need to make an effort.
Get organized right away. In the future, you may simply not have time for this. In addition, this way you can create the impression of an active and hardworking person.
Try to delve as deeply as possible into all the features of working in this team and understand its atmosphere. Be observant.
Understand the specifics of your work, as well as the features of the regime. Gather and study all documentation that contains information about your rights, obligations and other material conditions.

If you are a department head

Sometimes it is much more difficult for a boss to adapt to a new workplace than for an ordinary employee. If you are the head of a department, then on the first day and in your future work, you should be guided by the following rules:

never criticize a subordinate in the presence of his colleagues;
keep your personal impression of a person to yourself - you have the right to speak only about his professional qualities;
clearly and specifically express your thoughts by giving instructions or making comments;
criticism should contribute to the improvement of performance, and not be a means of self-expression;
in informal communication with subordinates, be polite and friendly;
be attentive to your employees - always inquire about their well-being, and also congratulate them on the holidays.

Work after vacation

The first day at work after a vacation can be a real torture. Even inveterate workaholics at the end of a well-deserved rest can become depressed from the need to start their routine duties again. As psychologists assure, this condition is quite normal and passes with time. Nevertheless, it is better to prepare in advance for the end of the vacation.

Plan your vacation in such a way that the rest ends 2-3 days before going to work. At this time, it is worth adjusting the sleep pattern - getting used to going to bed early and waking up early again. But you should not plunge headlong into household chores, because you are still on legal leave.

It is worth noting that it is quite difficult to sustain a full after rest. That is why try to plan your vacation so that you can start your duties, for example, on Wednesday or Thursday. So, you will have time to join the working rhythm before the weekend and not have time to get too tired.

To make the first day at work after the holidays easy and calm, follow these recommendations:

Signs and superstitions

For many people, the phrase "First day at a new job!" is both desirable and intimidating. Signs and superstitions are widespread not only in everyday life, but also in offices. Sometimes, wanting to achieve the favor of the authorities or raise salaries, employees of reputable companies can resort to the help of psychics, fortune-tellers, and even perform magical rites.

Of course, brewing miraculous potions or making or making a director's voodoo doll is not worth it. So that the first day at a new job brings you good luck, remember some office signs:

place coins in the corners of your office to attract a raise or bonus;
so that computers do not freeze, and the printer does not chew paper, communicate with technology politely and affectionately, thank you for your work (if you are shy in front of colleagues, then do it mentally);
try not to start work on the 13th;
on the first day, you should not leave the office until the end of the working day, either on personal or official business (this is for dismissal);
do not keep the office door open, otherwise you will receive a lot of assignments;
on the first day, do not order business cards, a badge or signs on the door, otherwise there is a risk that you will not last long in this job.

Features of the adaptation process

Work in a new team certainly begins with the process of adaptation. And it is important to understand that this applies not only to a beginner. The team must also get used to the emergence of a new link and help it to integrate into the work process in every possible way. There are four successive stages that make up adaptation:

To begin with, a new employee is assessed in terms of professional and social skills. Based on the data obtained, an adaptation program can be drawn up. It should be noted that the easiest way to join a new team is for those employees who have experience in a similar position. Nevertheless, even such a person does not immediately get used to the new conditions and daily routine.
Orientation involves familiarizing the newcomer with his job responsibilities, as well as the list of requirements that are put forward both for his professional and personal qualities. For this purpose, talks, special lectures or preparatory courses can be held.
Effective adaptation occurs at the moment when the employee begins to join the team. He can prove himself both in work and in communication. We can say that during this period the employee puts into practice the acquired knowledge.
The stage of functioning implies the transition to the stable performance of official duties, in accordance with the established schedule. Depending on how the work is organized at the enterprise, this stage can last from several months to one and a half years.

conclusions

The first day at work brings a lot of experiences and new impressions. In a short time, you need to have time not only to understand the work, but also to get to know the employees and win their sympathy. The main thing is not to panic in case of difficulties and to perceive criticism objectively. It is worth noting that the first day of work of a new employee is a turning point, but far from a decisive one. Even if everything went smoothly, you still have a long period of adaptation.

It is worth noting that in Western practice it lasts about six months. During this time, you need not only to show your knowledge and skills, but also to adapt to the new team. At domestic enterprises, a newcomer is given no more than two weeks for this (in rare cases, a month), and therefore you need to prepare for the first working day in advance. Try to learn as much as you can about the organization, and read the recommendations of leading psychologists. To give yourself extra confidence, follow folk signs.