Eight things everyone feels when starting a new job

by Amber Rolfe

About to start a new job? Don’t let the fear get the better of you… 

So, you’ve passed the application stage, nailed the interview, and been offered the job. You’ve probably gone through a rollercoaster ride of emotions already, but now it’s time to actually start work – and this can often feel like the scariest part of all.

To help bring your irrational fears back down to reality, here’s how to overcome eight common concerns everyone has when starting a new job:

1. ‘Will I fit in?’

Entering a well-established team as a newbie can be a terrifying experience.

What if you have nothing in common? Or they don’t share the same hilarious* sense of humour as you? Or worse, they frown upon those who eat unhealthily, when your diet consists solely of pizza and cake?

Although these are all very real potential struggles – chances are, there’ll be at least one person you can relate to. And either way, the team is sure to welcome new starters in a friendly and accommodating manner (they were new once too), so just be yourself, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.

2. ‘What if I accidentally turn up late?’

Sometimes, not turning up on time is out of your control. For example, unreliable public transport/ traffic/a malfunctioning alarm/all of the above.

But instead of jumping to conclusions and irrationally worrying that something could go wrong, approach the big day with the borderline-crazy cautiousness it deserves.

Set back-up alarms, do dummy runs, check the travel news, and leave an hour earlier than you need to. Remember: punctuality never goes out of fashion…

3. ‘What’s the level of professionalism going to be?’

It can be difficult to predict how formal a workplace is going to be until you actually start working there.

For example, what kind of topics of conversation will be work-friendly? Will your jokes get you into trouble? And how far can you go with personal information before its classed TMI?

All workplaces have different levels of professionalism, and whilst some employers will frown upon certain behaviour, others might be more relaxed.

To be on the safe side, take it easy on day one. Then, once you’ve settled in, you’ll be able to gauge what’s acceptable and what’s not.

4. ‘What should I wear?’

Knowing what to wear to your new job can be a tough call to make. Should you go formal, casual, or somewhere in-between?

To avoid any awkward situations, it’s always a good idea to send a friendly email asking about the dress-code before you start – either to the company’s HR team, or your interviewer (who you’ve probably had previous communications with).

However, if you’re still in doubt, remember that it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Unless you have a set uniform… In which case, wear that.

5. ‘Will they regret hiring me?’

It’s absolutely normal to have some feelings of self-doubt before your first day at a new job. After the stress of the interview, and the excitement of getting a job offer, you’d probably almost forgot that the next step was to actually do the job.

Now, you’re left wondering whether you’ll be good enough, whether you’ll disappoint your new employer, or worst of all – whether they’ll decide they’ve made the wrong choice.

But don’t panic. No one’s expecting you to start off fully trained and practised. They hired you with full knowledge of all your skills and experience, and they know what you’re capable of.

Express positivity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn, and you’ll be absolutely fine.

6. ‘What if I forget everyone’s names?’

With lots of new information being thrown at you left right and centre, remembering every single person’s name might seem impossible. After all, there’s only so much you can fit inside your head at one time.

To help you remember, you could always write your teams’ names down as you hear them, or look them up on the HR system or within your email account (hello profile pictures).

If all else fails, there’s really no harm in asking again. No one’s going to judge you if you forget a few people’s names on your first day. Just remember: they might if it’s been six months.

7. ‘What should I do for lunch?’

Let’s be honest, every workplace has different rules when it comes to lunchtime. Should you bring a packed lunch? Should you eat out? Will it be a coveted social event?

Timings will also be a mystery to you, and if you’re used to eating at the same time every day, you could be left awkwardly hiding your loud stomach rumblings while you insist you’re not hungry at all and don’t mind waiting.

To cover all bases, be prepared for any situation – and always say yes if someone asks if you want to have lunch with them. If your colleagues eat at their desks, do that. If they eat out, go with them. If they jump off a bridge… OK, don’t do that. But you get the idea.

8. ‘What if I mess up?’

Mistakes are a totally normal part of any new job, and they’re all part of the learning process.

However, you can avoid them as much as possible by asking as many questions as you need to. If you’re unsure of something, it’s always better to ask before you do it – as it could help you to avoid messing up all together.

But, if you do slip up, never panic – and never hide it. Admit to your mistakes, try and offer a resolution, and ask for help. Your boss will be grateful for your honesty, not to mention your professionalism and ability to problem solve.

*May not actually be hilarious

If you’re still finding it tough to battle your first job fears, here’s how to stop feeling nervous about starting a new job.