Super nervous about first day at work

zenith1991

Hi all,

So today I got my very first (real) job after graduating in July. I'm really excited about starting on Monday. However, although they clearly like me and think I'm suitable (I know the area of work really well) I'm terrified.

Is this normal or am I over-reacting?

I suddenly feel like a tiny fish in a very big pond, and I'm scared that despite my success in getting the job, I'll be way out of my depth.

Does anyone have any tips/ advice to share on how to go about my first day in the office? I don't want to tread on toes but I don't want to be a little mouse either. I just don't want to get it wrong!

KateBob

congratulations :j

Chances are you wont have chance to be a quiet mouse, as the new person most people will make the effort to get to know a little about you.

Some offices are noisy/friendly places, others are quieter/reserved.

The best idea is just to pay attention to the office environment for the first few days and learn how it works.
Will you get on best with the louder members of staff or the quieter ones.

Does the office environment change when more senior members of staff enter or remain the same?

I know it seems alot now but you've been negotiating these issues your entire life, from your first day at school, up through uni.

Good luck.

rozmister

I literally read your post and thought you could be me!

I too start my first grad job on Monday and I'm very nervous.

I just keep trying to remember that everyone knows you're fresh out of uni so they won't expect you to know everything straight away and they'll try and welcome you in.

I've got my own office, a work mobile so I can be contacted at all times and am responsible for whole projects on my own which scares me senseless. It feels like a huge leap head first into grown up life after four cushty years of uni so I completely understand.

Good luck with your first day I hope it's ok!

Owain_Moneysaver

Take your own tea mug. Some places can be fussy about sharing mugs.

Wyndham

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Show initiative, and take the stance of 'I've look at this, and I think we should do A and B, does that sound OK?' (i.e. rather than 'I've looked at this and have no idea' or 'what do you want me to do?' or 'I've gone ahead and done A, what do you mean that was the wrong thing to do?) A and B may be completely wrong, but at least you'll show you're thinking about things.

Everyone will know you are new, and everyone will know you are a fresh graduate. They won't expect miracles on day 1.

For what it's worth I'm 42 and 6 weeks into a new job, and I was just as nervous on day 1 of this one as I have been for any other - I think it shows you care about it and that's good!

Good luck! You'll be fine, I'm sure. Give you six months and you'll be moaning about your job with the best of us

Firefox1975

Loving the comment about your own Tea mug! good advice there.

be prepared to be the first to "get the teas" in. You will make friends immediately by acknowledging that you're new but you are prepared to do anything that you currently can to help the office environment.

(Plus - its vital you know where the kettle, tea, sugar and how the milk is purchased/shared etc. :-) )

Don't be loud - be a sponge for a bit. Its more important you learn what they are like in their own backyard than what you are like at first. :-)

Oh, and find out who the gossips are an restrict the information you give them. Don't not speak to them,but don;t tell them everything you know, you will usually find there are existing/long running dissagrements between staff members, don't take sides. You might become a pawn in their game and as a new starter you could be sacrificed to save the Status Quo.

Dont be afraid to ask questions and "listen".:T

Mags_cat

Can you bake?

If you've got any idea how big your immediate team is going to be, arriving armed with home made cakes gives you an ideal opportunity to introduce yourself to people over a cuppa.

Well done, and good luck!