Back to Blogs

Quash those first week nerves!

  • Publish Date: Posted almost 7 years ago

So, it’s your first day in that dream job, nerve-wracking, isn’t it? It’s a completely new environment. Will you get on with everyone? Will you meet the expectations of your new employer?  First things first – it’s completely natural to feel this way – you are human after all!  What you don’t want to do is get so nervous and stressed that you’re unable to function on your first day.  Here are Handle’s top tips to get you through that first week in your new job.

Give yourself a break – to plan ahead

Take a mini holiday, not from your new job, but in that little gap between jobs, perhaps a long weekend. It will allow you refocus, think clearly and get yourself ready to take on your new challenge.  Think about what you want to achieve from this new role and set some goals for your new beginning. You should consider your first 100 days and how you’ll make your mark and prove yourself in your new role. At Handle, we offer executive coaching for your first 100 days. You will work one-on-one with a coach through a tailored five-stage process, to get the support you need to integrate as quickly as possible while holding on to that valuable ‘fresh eye and fresh ideas’ perspective.

First impressions count

Dress appropriately for your first day.  As a newbie, the last thing you want is to stand out by being over-dressed or too casual. Here at Handle we pride ourselves on the relationships that we build with our clients and we have great insight into the culture and environment you might enter - so we’re always here if you’ve got any questions or need advice.

Do your research

Ensure you’ve had a look at the company’s website and if there’s a ‘meet the team’ page, familiarise yourself with some of the faces you’ll be working with.  Find out what the company has been up to and check out some recent press releases. This will help you feel more at ease and gives you something to talk about on your first day.

Use Social media to break down barriers

Social network platforms will give you a better insight into the company and its culture.  Here at Handle, we use our Instagram feed to highlight what’s going on behind the scenes, use all available resources to get an insight into what’s been going on.  You can connect on LinkedIn with your future co-workers too.

Ask!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! At Handle, we pair all new starters up with a Buddy who will introduce the newbie to the rest of the team and resolve any unanswered questions.  If when you start a new job you feel you would benefit from a mentor, ask for one!

Give yourself time

You won't understand everything ... yet. Every company has its own way of doing things and you’re not expected to understand it all immediately.  Your first few weeks are a settling in period, it takes time to learn all the procedures and build relationships with your co- workers.

If you’re looking for that dream job check out our job search or the join handle page if you’d like to work with us. Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook