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.


  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Backup

    Dear Dr. Mimi,My boss favors another employee and schedules them for more shifts. We are on the same skill level and have had the same training, but I am being treated like a “backup” for them. I am afraid to bring this up to my manager for fear that they will reprimand or even fire…


  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Overworked Student

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I am a working college student, and my company is supposed to be accommodating to students’ schedules. However, my boss keeps asking me to come into work at times she knows that I have classes or study groups. I have tried to make this issue known to her, but she keeps dismissing me.…


  • Dear Dr. Mimi — Frustrated

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I trained a new employee about a month ago, but they still don’t seem to be getting it. They mess up almost every task I give them. What can I do to fix this? Should I just fire them?—Frustrated Dear Frustrated,It can be tricky working with new employees. If you think they are…