Don't get nervous at a new place of work. How to overcome fear of a new job? Features of the adaptation process

After spending eight years in the same office, I realized that it was time to change something. However, as soon as it came to finding a job, I was seized by a real panic. The new job was frightening to my knees. Can I handle it? How will the team meet? Will your relationship with your superiors work out? Have I lost my business dexterity and flexibility of thinking in eight years in one place? What if I don't get through probation? The fear of a new job was simply paralyzing ...

In times Soviet Union labor dynasties were held in high esteem. It was considered very prestigious to spend their entire life in one workplace or in one work collective. And if there was fear, it was not about work, but before the boss or the opinion of the team. “He worked his way up from a locksmith apprentice to a production manager”, “Thirty years ago she came to the company as a young graduate”, “He is one of those specialists whom the plant raised from its own personnel, having trained them at the expense of the enterprise”, “Her whole life passed before the eyes of the collective ”- such phrases were once often met in work biographies.

A lot has changed since then, including the views on the track record. good specialist... Today, an employee who sits in one place all his life can hardly be considered promising. The assertion that every five years it is necessary to change jobs is becoming more and more popular in order not to lose professionalism and have enough varied experiences that enhances your value as a specialist. CVs and entries in work books become more and more voluminous. And in the end everything more people has fear of work.

I want to change jobs, but I'm afraid ...

In my case, it was so. After spending several years in one place, changing jobs was daunting, even though the change seemed to be for the better. In the old team, everyone knows you and does not require you to “get the stars out of the sky”. And the work is habitual to automatism. What if in a new place you will have to face something that you have never done before? What if I don't have enough knowledge? After all, you can easily disgrace yourself, sit in a puddle, get into a mess. The fear of a new job can seriously and permanently poison your life, turning a long-awaited change into a protracted, destructive stress.

By the way, I never got accustomed to one of the new jobs. Every morning I woke up with the thought that I was afraid to go to work. The team remained alien and aggressive, almost no one spoke to me. The headmistress gave incomprehensible tasks, without explaining anything and without going forward. The office seemed uncomfortable and hostile, and each new day only added frustration. The only plus was the salary, and I forced myself to go to work, hoping that everything would work out. It was a real hard labor. Three or four cigarettes, smoked every morning in front of the entrance, brought to nausea, slightly dulling the sticky, disgusting fear. In the evenings, alcohol was used to combat stress ... Even many years later, this negative experience is remembered as a waking nightmare.

How to overcome fear of a new job? The answer to this question is both complex and simple. First, you need to understand the main reasons for fear that lie deep inside. Is it really a fear of work or a fear of something else?

I'm afraid to go to work

My friend Olya worked for several years as a manicure master in a small private hairdressing salon. And then suddenly she decided that it was time for her to grow up and went to the courses of massage therapists, after which they promised to arrange her in a large health center. At first, Olya caught fire with this idea and seemed to be glad of this turn of fate, but the closer the day of graduation approached, the sadder my friend became. In the end, she admitted that she was afraid to go to work: after a small salon, the wellness center seemed terribly frightening to her. She almost stopped eating, at night she dreamed of dissatisfied clients who scandal and dishonor her in front of new colleagues. The fear of not getting the job done, making a mistake, doing something wrong, or showing herself in a ridiculous light became her obsession. It got to the point that at the thought of work her pressure jumped, palms were sweating and there was not enough air.

Alas, Olya did not cope with this fear and is still sawing other people's nails in her small salon, and a masseur's diploma is gathering dust among old postcards and documents. However, she really good masseur, of which her friends and relatives have long been convinced, having experienced the skill of her hands.

This skill could be appreciated by other people, if it was not so scary for her to become a part of the new team.


Fear of a new team

New people are almost always difficult to get along with. And it is doubly difficult if these people are your new work collective. What are they saying behind your back? What do they think of you? Noticing every misstep and every mistake? Gossip and talk about your clumsiness and mistakes? It is very difficult to become your own in a well-established, close-knit team. And the thought that you will have to be a stranger and a black sheep in a new "working family" for a long enough time can poison the joy of the most wonderful, prestigious and highly paid job.

Two points usually come to the fore here. First, the fear of change inherent in many people p. New people to them, like everything new in general, appear to be a threat, a source of danger, an unknown and therefore frightening factor, from which you do not know what to expect. Secondly, self-doubt and increased sensitivity to the opinions of others, which inflates fear of the new team.

A couple of years ago, the company I worked for was going to be downsized on a large scale. My colleague Anton just panicked at this prospect. What can I say, if he had a clear fear of looking for a job, let alone changing it. When he sent in his resume, his hands were shaking, you could hear it by the way he nervously clicked his mouse. And when they called him about an interview, he just changed his face ... “How am I going to work there? I don't know anyone there! And this is a completely different end of Moscow! " - he complained hysterically after the next interview.

Another colleague, Nina, after being notified of the layoff, became depressed and even sobbed at times in front of her computer monitor. “I’m so used to all of you… How am I going to work with strangers?” she said through her tears. At the same time, her heartbeat intensified, palms were sweating and headaches began. The fear of a new job completely ruined her last days in our friendly team ...

Fear of the boss

Among the fears of working alone is the fear of the boss. If only because, out of the blue, you can get it without even changing your place of work.

This happened to my brother, who left for another city, tempted by the offer of a world-renowned manufacturing company. At first it was not easy for him in a new place, he had to overcome fear of a new job, alienation of the team, and new responsibilities ... A few months later he got used to it, passed the probationary period, made friends with colleagues, and began to go to work with pleasure. It was then that thunder struck: the head of the enterprise was replaced. Instead of the previous boss, who actually invited a nonresident employee to his place, they appointed an aggressive tyrant who began his "reign" with a total suppression of any personal initiative of his subordinates, with rudeness and personal insults ...

Alas, not everyone was able to overcome their fear of the new boss, including my brother, who had to quit his job and leave the city to which he got used to with such difficulty and persistence ...

In the life of every person there are times when he is afraid of losing his job or, having already lost it, is afraid to go to a new job. This may be due to the fear of change, fear of a new team, fear of not coping with work, disgrace, not being up to par, etc. However, whatever fears accompany the process of going to work, it cannot be avoided. Life dictates the need to earn and support ourselves and our family ... And the less stress and fears accompany the changes in our work biography, the more successful and happy we will be. Sometimes this requires very little, for example, to complete the training "System-Vector Psychology" by Yuri Burlan and get rid of the fear of work forever. Free online lectures coming soon - join to learn more! Registration .

Proofreader: Anna Katargina

The article was written based on the training materials “ System-vector psychology»

Ecology of life. Life hack: What you need to do to get used to it faster and withstand the trial period with dignity. This month...

Thousands of people will find new jobs this month, where at first they will have to go through exciting moments, proving that they deserve their place.

“The first three months on new job- this is the continuation of the interview. From the very first day you have to prove your worth, ”says Amanda Augustine, employment consultant for TopResume.

We've put together her tips for you on what to do in your new job in your first week to be successful.

1. Get to know your colleagues actively

Feel free to be the first to make acquaintances. Say hello to everyone in the elevator, the dining room, and even the restroom. It will pay off in the end.

Augustine advises: "Start with those around you: those who work directly with you."

It is in their best interest to adapt to the new team, because your work is directly related to what they do.

2. Ask a lot of questions

Soak up as much information as you can in the first week. If you are going to produce big changes, first you need to understand how everything works here, and earn the trust of the team.

3. Be humble

Nobody likes know-it-alls, and even if you consider yourself the most the best worker in the world, you probably do not know absolutely everything. When new colleague or the boss offers you help or advice, accept it.

Never answer that in your former company everything was done differently. People don't like this terribly.

Even if you don't really need help, demonstrating a willingness to listen to someone else's advice will increase the self-esteem of your colleagues (and possibly mitigate their concerns about you). It can also come in handy in the future when you really need help.

4. Make friends with an experienced colleague

Find out who has been with the company for a long time and has authority in the team. An experienced employee who knows how everything works here will help bring you up to date.

“Each company has its own style of communication and jokes for its own. Find someone who can help you understand the abbreviations and relationships in the team accepted here, ”advises Augustine.

Plus, you need someone to ask you about all sorts of little things - don't go to your boss asking where the printer paper is.

5. Understand what your subordinates and bosses expect from you.

“Talk to your boss. When you first meet, try to understand exactly what is expected of you in the first week, month and quarter in a new place, ”advises Augustine.

At the same time, if you yourself are a leader, it is important to clearly explain to your subordinates what you are asking of them. Remember that your behavior and communication style in the first week will set the tone for the entire work.

6. Try to understand relationships within the team.

Pay attention to the minor behaviors of your colleagues. It is likely that one of them was targeting you, so be careful.

Try to befriend your employees and use them best qualities for the common good, to avoid conflicts when forming a team.

7. Find out where the coffee is

For successful work It is always important to know where the coffee is stored and how the coffee machine is turned on. You also need to understand the unwritten rules of office etiquette, violation of which can lead to a real explosion in the team. Who washes the cups? What shelves are shared cookies stored on?

8. Find out where to buy takeout

Explore the area and find out where you can buy a sandwich, have a cup of coffee with someone you know, or have a delicious business lunch.

In addition, you should be aware of where you can buy band-aids or medications if needed.

9. Invite different people to lunch

Friendship with coworkers will benefit you more than you might think. And the sooner you start making friendships, the better.

Try to expand your circle of friends, and invite different people to join you for lunch or a cup of coffee. New acquaintances will show you the best places in the area, which is also an important plus.

In addition, if you leave the office for lunch the first week, you will develop a habit of setting aside personal time during the working day. Ditch the idea of ​​a dull lunch in the workplace.

10. Be organized and disciplined.

In the first week, you will gain mass new information and if you are diligent from the beginning, it will be much easier for you to get into the process. The first weeks of working in a new place are a great time to overcome your disorganization.

11. Show your strengths

“Challenge yourself to demonstrate the virtues you talked about in your hiring interview,” advises Augustine.

If you said that you are a great social media man or are excellent at working with data, immediately start working at in social networks or go for advanced analytics.

And record all your achievements. Write down everything that you managed to do, all those times when you managed to make a great contribution to the common cause, and when your work was positively assessed by your superiors. It is better to start this habit right away: then this information will help you when assessing the effectiveness of your work and negotiating a salary increase.

12. Be as visible as possible

Attend all available meetings and feel free to voice your opinion. Thanks to this, you will not only understand who and what has weight in your company, but others will also get used to your presence. Show that you are an expert in your field and colleagues will know who to turn to in the future for help.

Once you are officially hired, immediately update the relevant columns on your social media and subscribe to updates from your new company and colleagues. Strengthen relationships with new acquaintances by adding them as friends on Twitter and on LinkedIn

Also interesting:

14. Write to former colleagues

Oddly enough, the first week at a new company is the perfect time to connect with people from your previous jobs.

“Email your former colleagues and ask them for recommendations for LinkedIn. Still, collecting your best self-reviews is when you're not looking for a new job yet, ”advises Augustine. published by

In this article, I will not consider the case when you just got your first serious job in your life. Everything is new here. Everything is unusual. And there are countless tips for professional and social adaptation.

Rule one. Let's open the chakras and calm down.

So, for the first day you are sitting in a new chair and immediately want to impress the new leadership with your remarkable talents. Nothing will come of it. You are under stress.

Whether you are so nervous that your hands are shaking or you feel a little anxiety, it depends on your personality traits... When you are in such limbo trying to prove that you are the best, it leads to unnecessary fuss. You will make twice as many mistakes.

By the way, if you made a mistake, don't be afraid to admit it. Try to suggest options for fixing it. And now let's take a deep breath, remember that there are only angels without flaws, and even those in heaven, and we will open the chakras to receive as much information as possible from the outside.

The second rule. We ask questions and warm our ears.

But the information will pour on you in an endless stream. And keeping most of it in your head is the number one task in the first days of work.
You are in luck if a wise mentor met you on the doorstep of the office. And he told you the following:

  1. Job descriptions. Strictly speaking, what responsibilities are assigned to you and to what extent.
  2. Inner order rules. Is it accepted to drive tea with cookies at the workplace, how many times a day you can go for a smoke break, how much time is allotted for lunch.
  3. It would be ideal if you were privy to some of the little things. Let's say the chef doesn't like it when they hum to himself in the workplace. But, most likely, you will have to obtain such information yourself.

Therefore, we warm our ears! Those. pay attention to the dress code, if it exists. If loose-fitting clothing is allowed, try not to dress too provocatively in the early days. Later, you will be able to determine what is acceptable in a given team and what is best avoided. Appearance a new employee can be one of the annoying factors for “oldies”.

Rule four, fifth, sixth, etc.

No gossip. Washing the bones is an unworthy occupation. And for a new employee it is simply unacceptable.

Do not talk about personal topics on your mobile, and even more so on your office phone. In extreme cases, you should leave the work area.

Don't be late. Remember, accuracy is the courtesy of kings!

Don't stay up late. Evening gatherings most likely mean that you cannot plan your work day properly or are trying to curry favor with your bosses. Neither one nor the other will count for you.

Of course, running at breakneck speed as soon as the arrows reached six in the evening is also not worth it. We keep the balance.

Remember, any organization is a complex machine. And you will be able to become its full-fledged cog only in a few months. Hopefully these guidelines will help you spend these months nerve-wracking!

In this article, I will not consider the case when you just got your first serious job in your life. Everything is new here. Everything is unusual. And there are countless tips for professional and social adaptation.

Rule one. Let's open the chakras and calm down.

So, for the first day you are sitting in a new chair and immediately want to impress the new leadership with your remarkable talents. Nothing will come of it. You are under stress.

Whether you are so nervous that your hands are shaking or you feel a little anxiety depends on your personality traits. When you are in such limbo trying to prove that you are the best, it leads to unnecessary fuss. You will make twice as many mistakes.

By the way, if you made a mistake, don't be afraid to admit it. Try to suggest options for fixing it. And now let's take a deep breath, remember that there are only angels without flaws, and even those in heaven, and we will open the chakras to receive as much information as possible from the outside.

The second rule. We ask questions and warm our ears.

But the information will pour on you in an endless stream. And keeping most of it in your head is the number one task in the first days of work.
You are in luck if a wise mentor met you on the doorstep of the office. And he told you the following:

  1. Job descriptions. Strictly speaking, what responsibilities are assigned to you and to what extent.
  2. Inner order rules. Is it accepted to drive tea with cookies at the workplace, how many times a day you can go for a smoke break, how much time is allotted for lunch.
  3. It would be ideal if you were privy to some of the little things. Let's say the chef doesn't like it when they hum to himself in the workplace. But, most likely, you will have to obtain such information yourself.

Therefore, we warm our ears! Those. pay attention to the dress code, if it exists. If loose-fitting clothing is allowed, try not to dress too provocatively in the early days. Later, you will be able to determine what is acceptable in a given team and what is best avoided. The appearance of a new employee can be one of the annoying factors for “oldies”.

Rule four, fifth, sixth, etc.

No gossip. Washing the bones is an unworthy occupation. And for a new employee it is simply unacceptable.

Do not talk about personal topics on your mobile, and even more so on your office phone. In extreme cases, you should leave the work area.

Don't be late. Remember, accuracy is the courtesy of kings!

Don't stay up late. Evening gatherings most likely mean that you cannot plan your work day properly or are trying to curry favor with your bosses. Neither one nor the other will count for you.

Of course, running at breakneck speed as soon as the arrows reached six in the evening is also not worth it. We keep the balance.

Remember, any organization is a complex machine. And you will be able to become its full-fledged cog only in a few months. Hopefully these guidelines will help you spend these months nerve-wracking!

You won't remember the last time you woke up feeling awe and excitement about the day ahead. The joy of the new perspectives and cooperation opportunities opening up before you is long gone - when you just got a job in this position. Most of you associate work with routine. Does it remind you of your life? It is worth considering looking for a new job!

2. You are unhappy

Perhaps it's even worse: you are not just not happy with the new day, but you feel unhappy every morning. Chances are good that your work, which you give almost all of your time, is to blame. Neither your boss nor your colleagues are to blame for this. Perhaps you just once put yourself in the wrong way in the team.

But this does not mean that you now have to suffer for the rest of your days.

Learn from your mistakes and look to the future. an attractive vacancy, and let the new job become your favorite!

3. Your company is doomed

Sometimes we do our best, but the circumstances are still not developing in the best way. If you are soberly aware that the company is going down, you should not sink with it. Don't wait for the sunset - start looking for a new job now, so that later you don't have to indicate a non-existent place of work in your resume.

4. You don't like your coworkers at all

Your coworkers and boss are the people you spend most of your life with. And if you take into account the time that you give to sleep, traffic jams, shopping trips, then, in fact, they are with you almost all the time. In the moments of ups and downs, jubilation and breakdowns. Most likely, they are very much looking forward to when you get out of vacation or sick leave (let's not go into the search for true motives). Therefore, it makes no sense to stay in a company whose employees you do not like.

Even if you like the work you do, the lack of normal contact with colleagues will sooner or later play a negative role in your career.

Think about what kind of people you really enjoy. And go to where they work. Then life will become much more pleasant.

5. Your boss only looks up

Often, in caring for their promotion, the leader pays attention only to the higher management, not providing sufficient support to those who are under his control. This situation is not uncommon. However, such a policy will not lead to positive results. Productive teamwork means having a stake in everyone's overall result. Do you feel that the leader only plays for himself? Don't be fooled - you won't be successful here.

6. You are stressed

Today, more and more people are complaining of constant background anxiety and even panic attacks. Perhaps you are one of them? Then pay special attention to this paragraph of the article. Do not think that anxiety can be unreasonable if it has become your constant companion, although, at first glance, nothing unusual is happening. Most likely, the reason lies precisely in what has become routine and habitual for you - in your work.

You can, of course, resort to the help of a psychologist, sedatives (almost certainly you have already tried this). But these remedies only fight the symptoms. If your anxiety begins in the morning, and in the evening you fly out of the office hoping to finally hide in your hideout (house, gym or bar), this is a sure sign that you need to look for another place to work.

lightwavemedia / Depositphotos.com

7. You become sick more often

In some cases, it can lead to even more negative consequences: feeling unwell becomes habitual, chronic diseases develop. But before you grumble about the deteriorating environment and say that "old age is not a joy", think about whether you really eat so badly or have little rest? If so, try to change it. But if you are wondering how your friends manage to stay full of strength despite the fact that they do not follow all the healthy lifestyle rules that you are obsessed with, and you were not a weak child as a child, then you should change your tactics. Try this time not to change yourself, but the world around you - start with work.

8. You do not share the ideas of your company

If it seems to you that the company should work in a completely different way, then it will be difficult to strive for the same goal with the management.

When you are not at all close to the corporate spirit, moral principles and ethical standards reigning at work, no matter how hard you try to disguise it, the "flock" will not accept you.

You have every right to your own vision of how everything should be arranged. But you should not aggressively oppose it to the existing order. Let the other be different and yourself yourself. And find a job among your own.

9. You Can't Reach Balance

You are constantly rushing between work and family, feeling that you do not have time either there or there. Spending more time with your family means that you don't have time to complete your boss's assignments on time. And by being late at work, you miss important events for your loved ones. It looks like you have a "work-personal life". Take a deep breath and soberly admit that you better try yourself in another position. And it is better if this is your decision, and not your boss or your relatives.

10. Your productivity has dropped

Even if you are still coping with the tasks set, but you feel that you are no longer productive, it may be time to change something. Finding tips for is easy. But try not to get bogged down in all these ideas of self-development, motivation and personal growth- know the measure and remember the goal. If you are not planning to become a business coach, then you need to look the other way. Namely, in the area of ​​your professional interests. But perhaps in a different position or in a different company.

11. Your abilities are not used

This is not the first time you have been rejected for a promotion, and attempts to take on more difficult tasks have not been successful. It looks like your management just doesn't want to admit that you can give the company more. Don't let your ambition ruin. Try to find another place where your talents will be given the green light.

12. Your responsibilities are growing, but your salary is not.

There may be various reasons for this, but in any case, you should not take it for granted. If the reduction in the company led to the fact that you got twice as much work, and the salary, meanwhile, is not proportional, then the management is pursuing an unfair policy.

Even if you are being offered a raise, before celebrating, make sure that the salary rises in proportion to your responsibilities.

Don't give in to vanity or chase a pretty job title. If it seems to you that your work is underestimated - look for another job!

13. Your ideas are not heard

Are your suggestions no longer appreciated, and your ideas being dismissed like annoying flies? This is a bad trend. Of course, you should not throw a letter of resignation if it happened once or twice. Maybe you need to change the way you present your thoughts. However, if they do not want to take your opinion into account over and over again without explaining the reasons, you should not be disappointed in yourself and in the world - it is worth looking for a new job.

14. You are not being thanked.

If, on the contrary, your suggestions are being used to the utmost, and the company's successful decisions are largely based on your ideas, but no one says thanks to you, this is an unhealthy atmosphere. Perhaps, of course, the manager is reflected in the amount of payments. In such a situation, determine for yourself honestly whether you only need a material assessment of your own merits. If not, and even more so when your ideas are simply impudently appropriated by someone else, you have every moral right to quit your job and find a place where you will be sincerely grateful.

15. You are stagnant

Are you bored. At your work, you perform the same type of tasks day after day and do not learn anything new. Chances are, you've already grown out of this position.

Answer yourself to the question: are you developing here as a professional?

If there is no room for growth in this company, you should move on and look for a place in another.


Gladkov / Depositphotos.com

16. You are criticized

In any situation in work environment there is only room for criticism of your work. If the boss becomes personal and personally showered you with negative assessments, these are problems of his character and upbringing. If you are unable to change the style of such communication to a more productive one, do not be offended, do not dare - it is better to look for another job under the guidance of an adequate professional.

17. You are being insulted

It is absolutely unacceptable if you are being insulted by someone from your colleagues. If you are the victim of bullying, sexual harassment or any other aggressive behavior, if you are cheated in financial matters or do not fulfill your promises, immediately!

18. You promise yourself to quit.

For years, many have promised themselves and their loved ones that they will change jobs. However, it never gets to the point. Time after time you wait for “a new bone to be thrown at you,” and justify with it that you are not doing anything. Seeing the good in any situation is the path of calmness. But not always the path to development.

Don't be fooled - take proactive steps to build a successful career and a happy life.

19. You don't dream of a leadership position.

Do you work hard and fulfill all the tasks set by the management? Can you imagine yourself at least in your dreams as a leader? If not, then you are out of place. Not everyone is, of course, bosses and directors, but at least becoming a project manager is a natural development in the workplace. If you do not see yourself in this position in the next few years, it is worth considering a change in activity.

20. You are afraid to think about the future.

In such a situation, changing jobs should be a top priority. This decision will not be easy to make, since you've made up a whole list of excuses for yourself a long time ago. Write down on paper all the reasons why you think that you will not be successful in your career. Crumple up and throw in the trash bin!

Think back to your childhood dreams, make a list of your skills, and a list of what you would like to learn. Find common ground and start moving towards improving your life.

You can and must give yourself and the world more than the dull anticipation of the end of the working day!