Adjusting to Your New Job

Changing jobs is stressful. Meeting new people, learning new policies and procedures, and working in a new environment can be intimidating. So
what can you do?


Prepare for your first day. Review the research that you did on the company before you interviewed (Hopefully, you researched that!) Review and educate yourself on the responsibilities of your particular position and how it fits with other positions and the organization as a whole.


Embrace change. Change, even positive change, is uncomfortable. Keep a positive attitude. While your new position requires different things, if tackled positively, the new things will soon be comfortable.


Ask questions. You are new. Of course, you have questions. It is important to reach out to those who are more experienced and learn from their experiences.


Build relationships. Reach out to others. Although it may feel intimidating, it is important to reach out and connect with your new co-workers and make new friends. Ask to join them for lunch and/or to be with them in the break room. Warning! Don’t buy into negativity. Make your own conclusions!


Ask for feedback. After a few weeks, ask your coworkers and supervisors for any advice, suggestions, or feedback about your performance. Listen without being defensive so that you can gain insight on how to improve and to see if you are on the right track.

Written By

drmimi

  • Dear Dr. Mimi- Feeling Like A Failure

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I messed up at my job. We had a big project that I worked hard on, and it just wasn’t as successful as we had hoped. I feel like such a failure! How do I tell my boss about it?—Feeling Like a Failure Dear Feeling,It is hard when a project doesn’t go the…

  • Dear Dr. Mimi- Feeling Unfulfilled at Work

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I have been working in my current role at my organization for almost five years. While at first, the role was exciting and satisfying, recently I have found it to be more routine and unfulfilling. I don’t hate what I do, but I don’t love it either. What suggestions do you have in…

  • Role Ambiguity Hurts Everyone

    If job satisfaction and commitment are down, and turnover is up, role ambiguity may be the cause. As organizations navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, addressing role ambiguity is essential for fostering a healthy, motivated, and productive workforce. What is role ambiguity? It is characterized by uncertainty about work responsibilities, roles, and authority. Who…