Question from Job Seeker: Hi, I recently started a new job - my first one actually! I’m very excited about it but feel very anxious at the same time. I’m having a hard time fitting in and adapting to this new environment and do not ‘rejoice’ about my dull cubicle. I’m not sure what to do about it. Is it normal? Please help!
Answer from Bayt HR Guru: Congratulations on your new job! Now breathe in, relax and celebrate the great news! Getting mixed feelings when starting any job is very normal, especially if it’s your first! There are several easy ways that can help you turn your workplace into your comfort zone and most of them fall into the below 3 categories:
- Personalize your space: Your space is where you will be spending 8 to 9 hours of your day trying to give the best of yourself to achieve your tasks and goals! Not only will you need to be inspired, creative and productive, but you will also, and above all, have to be at ease. Don’t look at your cubicle as walls that lock you in a secluded area. Think positive! This is YOUR space, accept it and feel it! Personalizing your workspace by decorating it and organizing it will help you acquire a better sense of belonging. For example, hanging an illustrated calendar with appropriate images can help you better manage your time and adds color to your work station; you can also hang drawings that you like and inspire you, pictures of friends and family or motivational messages that make you feel good, or put a plant on your desk that would add life and beauty to your cubicle etc.
- Break the ice: Get to know more about the people you will be spending most of your time with: your colleagues. During the first couple of weeks you might want to listen more than talk. Do offer your opinion but let them do most of the talking to learn more about them, the positions they hold and the overall hierarchy within the company. Greet your colleagues when you cross them across the hallway and have a positive and pleasant attitude that everyone would appreciate. Join in on lunch breaks as it is the ideal time to socialize. You might spot within the first couple of days people you get along with more than others, and people you don’t really seem to appreciate. Keep in mind that while you do get to choose your job, you don’t get to choose your coworkers, thus you have to stay open to others and accept their differences. Your relationships with your colleagues can either help you be motivated and do a better job or they can make you dread the feeling of going to work every day.
- Aim to Shine: Start your performance as you mean to carry on. Perform your tasks with rigour, excellence and an attention to detail. Remember well begun is half done so do concentrate these precious first few weeks and months on learning as much as you can both on and off the job and getting upto speed as fast as possible so you impress the important stakeholders and position yourself from the very outset for a career of undiluted success.
