(no subject)

[sunshine_queen]

Okay, guys, I hope I haven't alienated your good will towards me yet. I was considering making a big long, srs business post about my feelings about starting a job and, by extension, my feelings towards failing and stuff, but (1) it's probably only semi-interesting to me and (2) grow up, Madi. So instead, I will ask if anyone has any tips or ideas about how to calm first day jitters, or things they did on their first day that helped. Both my parents have worked in non-conventional jobs with no business culture to speak of, so they're no help to me, but I'm hoping that the magic of the flist will help, as it did with the interview.

And if you have nothing to add or say, come on in anyway! Or just have a great Sunday!

Comments

[cassi0pei4.livejournal.com]

Am I right in thinking, given your brief comment of such, that a lot of your jitters relate to feelings that you might "fail" at the new job? (I'm a psych person so I immediately wonder about underlying things.) If so, just as a side note, I don't think that being introspective and worrying about "failure" is particularly juvenile. If anything, being self-aware about such things and being able to be open about them is a sign of maturity (at least in the minds of clinical psych people).

As for anxiety, I always try and remember that the people around me have there own issues and stressors so, however worried I am about my piece in the puzzle, it's really only a little piece, therefore I can't judge myself too harshly because there's probably loads going on around me that I'm not perceiving. (Like, in a hypothetical world "Okay my boss was just really cross with me, but that's not solely based on what I did it's also because (a) she's going through caffeine withdrawal, (b) she has to pick her daughter up early today which messes with her schedule, and (c) her boss was just cross with her" or something like that.) There are just a bunch of factors we don't know about, so if you're worried something's gone wrong (you've "failed") there's probably some other factor that contributed to it and thus it's not all your fault.

I hope that helps. Oh, and you can bond with almost anyone about coffee. I had like a ten minute conversation with one of the managing attorney's I worked for about the pros and cons of different coffee makers and such - (Keurig? Tassimo? Do they make decent coffee? etc.) And then that small moment can alter/create their general impression of you in a positive way - (another psych thing about the malleability of impressions and memory).

Good luck! (wow that was a long comment...)

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

Oh, lawd, like, a good 75% of my anxiety is about failing. I'm glad you see it as a sign of maturity, I feel like an emo teen.

I'm trying to keep it in mind that tomorrow is hardly all about me.

I very much appreciate your comments! Thank you!

[kerlin.livejournal.com]

It's a lot like your first day at a new school. Pack your bag and lay out your clothes the night before. Plan twice as much time in the morning for your routine and commute as you otherwise would; you can tinker with it later. The first day is usually a lot of paperwork and briefings. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and if you feel like you're asking too many, write them down and parse them out over the next few days.

You will be FINE. :)

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Kerlin.

Outfit is laid out and bag is packed!

[xenaamber.livejournal.com]

Second both of the above.

Bring IDs with you -- driver's license, SS card, etc. You will have to fill out forms.

Wear something you feel comfortable in. Err on the side of formal if you're unsure.

You'll do less than you expect you will, so don't be surprised about that. You need to get used to them and they need to get used to you. I found it really weird to adjust to a non-semester schedule, in that it will take MUCH longer than you think for the "intro" period to be over. Don't expect to know everything or feel settled for quite a while, even if you feel like you should. Conversely, there's no "final exam" so there's no need to ever know everything.

Ask questions if you have to. My tendency is to figure things out for myself by trial and error, but actual grown-ups want to help you. ;-)

It sounds obvious, but don't expect them to change things around too much for you. Remember that you arriving there is a much bigger deal for you than it is for them -- for most of them, it's just another day.

GOOD LUCK. You will be fine, and even if the first day is scary, you'll quickly get used to it. You'll do wonderfully.

Also, from Indira Gandhi via my dad:

"There are two types of employees: those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is much less competition there."

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

The girl told me to bring my SS, but I spaced on it until I saw this comment, so thanks!

Also, this comment is really helpful, Jess, and it makes me feel better. Thanks! <3

[nicole-anell.livejournal.com]

Er, I don't have anything to add to the great advice above. Listen to them! And CHILLAX, GOOD LUCK, AND BE YOUR AWESOME SELF. Let us know how it goes afterwards -- tomorrow is probably not the best day to test how much you'll get to surf the web at work. ;)

[sunshine-queen.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have a feeling tweeting is about as much as I will do, and that's in transit and on my break. We'll see!

[imelda72.livejournal.com]

Good luck! You will be amazing, even if it doesn't feel like it. Remember, the biggest concern of everyone in the office right now is that you're not a psycho and that you're reasonably pleasant. Beyond that, there's nothing they want from yo on day 1! You have nothing to prove.

So instead, think about what YOU want and what YOU will need going forward, to do your job well, and ask questions about that.

And lastly, remember to smile!!