Feeling Lost in Your New Job

Starting a new job can be both exciting and overwhelming and it’s common to feel a sense of being lost or confused during the initial stages. In order to overcome these feelings, it’s essential to prioritise mental wellbeing throughout this transitional phase. By acknowledging your emotions, seeking support, establishing routines and embracing continuous learning, you’ll begin to feel more confident and settled in your new role. Just by giving yourself time and being gentle with yourself, you’ll make crucial steps towards adapting to a new work environment.  

In a poll undertaken by Monster, it was found that some workers…

• feared they would lose their new job due to being underqualified
• had moments of regretting starting their new job
• felt imposter syndrome 

Acknowledge your feelings

 First and foremost, it’s important to recognise and acknowledge your feelings and emotions when you begin a new role. As well as adjusting to new routines and tasks, you’ll also find yourself among new work colleagues, and this alone can be daunting for some. Understand that it is normal to feel unsure or overwhelmed while navigating new challenges. Acknowledging these emotions allows you to address them head-on and seek methods of alleviating them.

 

Set realistic expectations

Often, the feeling of being lost stems from unrealistic expectations that we place upon ourselves. It is essential to set realistic expectations and give yourself time to adapt and learn. Remember, adjustment periods are necessary, and it is okay to make mistakes and seek guidance.

 

Ask for support

 One of the most valuable resources for starting a new job is seeking support from colleagues and supervisors. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask questions. Establishing connections and networking within your workplace will not only help you understand your job better but also make you feel more comfortable. Remember, everyone was once in a similar position, and people are generally willing to lend a helping hand.

 

Seek a mentor

Having a mentor can help you navigate the intricacies of your new job by offering advice and sharing their own experiences. Finding someone experienced in your field who can guide you through challenges and provide valuable insights can be immensely beneficial. 

 

Embrace continuous learning

Learning doesn't stop once you've landed a new job. Embrace a growth mindset and actively seek opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Attend workshops, seminars or enrol in training sessions offered by your company. By continuously learning and improving, you will gain confidence and feel more equipped to handle job-related challenges.

 

Develop a routine

Creating a routine for yourself in a new job can bring a sense of stability and familiarity. Establish a structured approach by organising your tasks, setting goals and prioritising your workload. A consistent routine will help you feel more in control and relieve any feelings of anxiety or fear.

 

Take breaks and practice self-care

Amidst the challenges of a new job, it’s important not to neglect selfcare. Taking regular breaks and engaging in activities that promote relaxation and self-rejuvenation can positively impact your mental wellbeing. Engage in hobbies, exercise regularly, practise mindfulness or simply spend time with loved ones. A rejuvenated mind will enable you to tackle professional challenges with more clarity and resilience.

 

Celebrate small achievements

It’s important to recognise and celebrate even the smallest accomplishments in your new job. Acknowledging your progress and achievements boosts confidence and provides validation for your efforts. Embrace small victories, whether it be successfully completing a task, receiving positive feedback or even overcoming a minor challenge. These achievements will fuel your motivation and help you to remain positive and focused. 

 

How to Handle Difficult Interview Questions

There aren’t many people who look forward to attending an interview, especially if you’ve set your sights on being given the role and you’re feeling the pressure to succeed. The thought of being interrogated or the fear of rejection can send you into a spin, causing sleepless nights and overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety.

How to prepare for an interview

So how can you calm your nerves and perform better in interviews, ensuring you answer those tricky questions with ease? One of the hardest parts of preparing for an interview is trying to pre-empt the kinds of questions you’ll be asked and coming up with the answers the interviewer wants to hear. For example, you might be asked “what are your weaknesses” and you’re unsure of whether or not it’s a trick question.

1. Have belief in yourself 

While this may seem easier said than done when it comes to interviews, there are ways to boost your self-confidence. Go through the job specification beforehand and make a note of each requirement and how you have gained experience of this in previous roles. This will make you consider your skills in more detail and serve as a reminder of what you’ve already achieved and accomplished. A study published in the International Journal of Human Resource Studies, suggested that "self-confidence, self-esteem and self-efficacy are widely common terms in job search effectiveness according to literature. There is a consensus in a large extent that candidates’ self-confidence during interview process has significant influence and affects recruiters’ decisions and respectively hiring results.”

2. Prepare for the worst

While you want to remain hopeful that you will get the job, it’s always a good idea to prepare for the worst-case scenarios. Being asked difficult questions that are aimed to catch you out or may make you feel uncomfortable are never pleasant so write a list of questions that you might fear the most and prepare a suitable response in advance. Perhaps there’s a gap in your CV that you haven’t accounted for when you were out of work. But you can turn this into a positive by demonstrating how it inspired you to aim higher and develop your skills.

3. Remember that you’ve made it to the interview stage for a reason

In most cases there will have been lots of other people applying for the same role but you have been selected for the interview so the company must have seen something in your application that impressed them. Generally speaking, interviewers aren’t trying to catch you out, they just want to make sure they choose the best person for the job. If they show an interest in a specific part of your application or CV, make sure you can elaborate on this and show enthusiasm and passion as this is obviously important to them.

4. Be honest

Honesty is often considered one of the most important character traits as it means that you are trustworthy. This doesn’t mean that you have to tell the interviewer your life story or admit to some of your less favourable traits. If you really don’t know the answer to something you're asked, rather than lying or making something up on the spot, apologise and say you don’t know. You can also say that this is something you’re willing to learn about or even train in. Also try to keep your answers short and to the point without providing them with unnecessary information.

Ways to survive your first week in a new job

Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, or somewhere in between, there are certain aspects of starting a new job that can initially feel nerve-wracking. Although you might feel excited about your new role, a few niggling thoughts could be playing on your mind, such as:

• Will people like me
• Will I be able to handle the workload and meet important deadlines
• Will I have help with anything I’m unfamiliar with?

Unless you deal with the negative voices in your head, your first week in a new job could potentially affect your mental wellbeing. You might find yourself feeling more anxious or stressed than usual, your sleep patterns could be disturbed, or you may have moments of crying and feeling like you’re unable to cope with the role or it in with your colleagues. New job anxiety is not uncommon and there are ways to help.

Tips for coping with your first week in a new job

1. Remember back to when you previously started a new job and look at how you gradually adapted over time. Sometimes it does take a little while to settle in and become familiar with new procedures and new people. However, the longer you stick it out, the easier it becomes.

2. Take regular exercise. This study shows that undertaking physical activity on a regular basis can reduce feelings of anxiety by releasing endorphins, relaxing muscles, and promoting quality sleep.

3. Become familiar with workplace policies and practices. By understanding the culture and ethos of a workplace, you’re more likely to feel secure and supported.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you don’t have the confidence initially to ask questions in meetings or group situations, ask your manager, or a colleague who you might have befriended, when they’re on their own. It’s understandable that there are going to be certain aspects of the job that you won’t know or need help with so don’t be afraid to ask.

5. Make a good impression. Dress appropriately, arrive at work on time and having a friendly demeanour. These are things that will help you to create a good first impression which, in turn, will help you to build good working relationships both with management and co-workers.

6. Be enthusiastic. While it can be frowned upon by colleagues if you seem overly keen to impress your boss, showing just the right amount of enthusiasm along with a good work ethic can earn you a lot of respect. If you’re respected at work, your first week will be less daunting.

7. Make notes. Whenever you’re being shown something new at work, keep notes about the processes to help you remember. Although you shouldn’t be afraid of asking for help, asking about the same thing multiple times could become frustrating to the person trying to help you.

8. Muck in! If everyone in the workplace shares the responsibility of doing the drink runs, washing up in the kitchen, or answering phone enquiries, for example, make sure you help out to maintain a harmonious environment.