New Job Blues: How To Tell If It's You or the Job, and What To Do About It

Many people head into new jobs only to find that they aren’t too thrilled with the reality of it. Whether you’ve just entered the work force for the first time or you’ve switched jobs, New Job Blues can strike. The blues usually pop up two to three months after starting working. Symptoms include:

• Feelings of dissatisfaction or frustration
• Feeling tired, having low energy, or feeling low-level depression
• Feeling unfulfilled
• Questioning your choices and your future.
• Wondering, “This is what I went to college for?” or “This is what I left my other job for?”

The good news is that new job blues are often temporary; you might just need time to adjust to your new workplace, schedule, field, or position. You can cure the blues with a little insight, a little attitude adjustment, and some tips and strategies.

First, I’m going to tell you what NOT to do:

• Do not disconnect from potential mentors or advisors; you might need help adjusting, acclimating, and feeling part of the team.
• Do not assume the problem is the job and not you, or vice versa; in fact, do not assume anything.
• Do not quit and run off to grad school or some other job.
• Do not be afraid to ask for help from inside or outside your organization.

Now, here is what you can do to beat the blues:

The first thing is to determine the cause. It’s entirely possible that it’s not the job or the field; you just might not be used to actually having to go to work every day or are still unfamiliar with your new workplace. So try to isolate factors. Ask:

• Is it the transition?
• Are you just tired and out of sorts from getting up early, commuting, working set hours, etc.?
• Are you feeling lonely because you haven't connected with anyone at work yet?
• Is it the job? The company?
• Were your expectations too high?
• Do you like what you do?
• Look up the company ladder and around the office. Do you like what you see? Do you like what the company does?
• Would you like to do what other people in your organization are doing?

Once you have asked and answered these questions, you should know if it’s normal transitional hiccups or if it’s something bigger, like the job itself, the company, or the field.

If it’s just transitional blues, understand that it’s perfectly normal, and that you are going to feel shockwaves for some time. It’s no small feat to become accustomed to a new routine, workplace, or job. And take a good look at your expectations and work ethic. You might have to toughen up a bit.

Is it the job or is it you?

If you are new to the working world and you determine that you like the industry or profession but don’t like the entry-level drudgery or dues paying of your job, you have to suck it up. You will not get ahead until you have worked in that field. You’ve got to lose the green and gain experience, and that usually means starting at the bottom.

Similarly, if you like the profession or industry but do not like the company, you also have to suck it up until you have enough experience and have paid enough dues so that you can add that entry-level job to your resume. The more experience you have, even just a few months to a year, the more marketable you will be. It doesn’t look good on a resume to quit after four weeks.

Conversely, if you determine that you like the company but not the job then start networking within that organization. If they liked you well enough to hire you, there is a good chance they will help you find a more appropriate home in the organization. So meet people. Explore other opportunities. Get informational interviews with people in other areas. Volunteer to work on other projects in areas you think would make you happier. Network, network, network.

Last, if you hate the job, the profession, and the company, and you aren’t just being a baby about having to get up at 6:45 a.m., then you have to do some soul searching to determine what it is you want you to do. There are tons of resources out there to help you:

• Take a career aptitude test. There are lots on the Internet. Here are two examples: http://www.oprah.com/money/Aptitude-Tests-Career-Assessment and http://www.assessment.com
• If you are a recent college graduate your school probably has career services. Use them. 
• Hire a career coach. They can help you determine and define your interests, skills, and talents, and will help you create a game plan for pursuing and accomplishing your goals. It can be money well spent if you are really spinning your wheels.
• Read some career-aptitude books like, What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles or Career Match: Connecting Who You Are with What You Love to Do by Shoya Zichy.

Once you figure out if it's just normal transitional issues or it's the job, company, or industry, you can work to cure your blues. Good luck!

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Starting a new job: 8 tips to cope with anxiety, expectations, and everything else

Starting a new job can cause anxiety. It means new co-workers, new office policies and procedures, a new environment, and new things to learn. Here are some practical tips to help smooth the transition:

1. Lower your expectations. If you are leaving your current job, don't expect a big send-off. Former employers and colleagues don’t always make leaving easy. Accept that. Don't burn bridges, but don't take it personally if they don't throw you a going-away party.

Don't expect a party on your behalf.

Similarly, don't expect fanfare when you arrive at your new job. New employers and new coworkers don’t always make starting easy. Be confident and know that you are wanted—they wouldn’t have hired you otherwise—but don’t expect a cake.

2. Make a great first impression. Here’s how:

•Dress for success.  Look like you belong there. Follow the lead of the people you saw during your interviews. You may even want to overdress a bit the first week to be on the safe side; just don't overdo it, and never underdress.

•The night before, get out everything you need: your outfit, any badges, parking passes, forms, directions, lunch, snacks, etc. You do not want to be scrambling for these things in the morning.

•Get plenty of rest. You want to be bright eyed and bushy tailed, so go to bed early. Triple check the alarm. And no boozing it up the night before. The last thing you want on your first day is a hangover.

•Be on time. Better yet, be early. Know how to get there, how long it takes, and leave with plenty of extra time. You should also know where you need to be, to whom you need to report, or in which office you should start.

3. Be courteous and respectful to everyone. And I mean everyone, including parking attendants, receptionists, and security guards. These people are your colleagues, too, and should be treated with respect.

Be courteous to everyone.

4. Understand expectations. On the first day, meet with your boss to establish goals and objectives. Ask specific questions, clarify expectations, and understand your role in the organization. Find out exactly what they want you to do.

5. Stay positive. Don’t be surprised if there’s a little disorganization on the first day, or if you don’t feel altogether welcome. Most employers don’t really do a great job of onboarding,  so lower your expectations and try to remain upbeat. It will get better.

6. Soak in the office culture. A key part of success is fitting in. You need to learn your new firm’s way of doing things, so observing and asking questions is the best course of action. Pay attention to how people act, how they talk, how they dress, etc.

7. Socialize with your colleagues. Your new colleagues may or may not be receptive to you, but you certainly have to be receptive to them. Work is a social environment, and, to be successful, you must take the time to get to know your new colleagues. Here's how:

First, don’t be a know-it-all and don't talk too much. It’s not all about you. Ask questions. Listen. Be curious. Find out what is going on in the organization.

Second, eat lunch with them. Pack your lunch on the first day; until you learn what the lunch culture is you should be prepared to eat in. If there is a lunchroom, go there, ask if you may join some people and introduce yourself. For your first week, don’t have lunch with friends outside the office. Stick around.

Stay calm and positive. Good luck!

8. Final tips:

•Don’t text or phone friends. No personal stuff of any kind!

•Don’t get caught updating your Facebook page on your first day.

•Don’t smoke in front of anyone.

•Don’t leave, even for a latte run. And certainly don’t leave early, unless someone is dying.

•The walls have ears, so don’t talk about your new job or your new boss in anything but the most glowing of terms. Similarly, don’t badmouth your former employer or place of work.

•Don’t flirt. Period.

•Don’t put in for vacation time. Unless you’ve pre-negotiated a vacation up front, I’d wait six months to even ask.

•It is OK to start networking immediately. You should absolutely attend any office happy hours, parties, and other social events. Accept invitations for lunch, dinner, seminars, events, etc.

•If you go out for cocktails or attend an event with colleagues, have only one drink. No exceptions. And no shots.

•Don’t go negative. If you assume that people don't like you or you make early judgments about the office, you won’t have a positive attitude. Try to focus on the things that you like so far about the work and stay away from anyone who is saying negative things on the job.

Good luck!

Adjusting to a new job

Congratulations. You are starting a new job. This is exciting, and you should look on it as a new adventure in the book of life. However, for many people, starting a new job can cause anxiety. That’s perfectly understandable. After all, starting a new job means new co-workers, new office policies and procedures, a new environment and probably new software and/or equipment. But don’t underestimate the power of being new. Don’t let the minutiae of all the new details bog you down. This is a great opportunity, and you can take advantage of it to really stand out if you follow just a little practical advice.


Manage Expectations


The day you accept the offer is the day you should start preparing for your new job. There are several steps involved here. The first is to accept that transitions are hard. You need to start managing your expectations for both leaving your old job and starting your new one. Be prepared for a little bit of emotional let down as you make the adjustment. Change is hard. Whether this is your first job or a new one, this will be a big adjustment for you. The location is different, the hours may be longer or shorter, and the atmosphere will almost certainly be different. You need to prepare yourself for the adjustment, and manage your expectations.


In terms of a send-off or a welcome wagon, don’t expect a fanfare. Very often, former employers and colleagues don’t make leaving easy, nor do new employers and new colleagues make starting easy. You need to be your own best friend here and keep a positive attitude. They probably won’t throw you a party when you leave your old job, and they certainly won’t throw you one at your new job. That doesn’t mean you aren’t welcome, of course, but just be realistic, manage your expectations, and don’t read too much into the welcome wagon, or lack thereof. Assume that you are wanted (they wouldn’t have hired you otherwise), but don’t expect a cake.


Prepare for the First Day, and For Continued Success


You want to make a great impression at your new job. And there are three tried and true ways to do this: dress the part, be prepared and get there on time. First, dress for success. If you interviewed at the firm and toured the workplace, you should have some idea of what the dress code is (and if you haven’t you should definitely ask before your start). Pay attention to how people are dressed during your interview.


By now, every person should know what is appropriate and inappropriate in the workplace, but the most important factor here is that you match the culture and needs of the organization. For some jobs, the dress code is obvious: you may wear a uniform, for example. But for other firms you will have to figure it out. If there is an employee manual with a dress code policy, read it. Remember that industries vary. Bankers dress differently than TV producers. Teachers may or may not be able to wear jeans. Account managers may have to wear nylons if they wear skirts. These are things you must find out before you start. Pay close attention to the finer points of the dress code, and assess the average level of dressiness. And if there is a dress code policy in the employee manual, read it. Find out:

• Do women wear tights or hose? High heels? Skirts, suits or slacks?

• Do men wear playful or conservative ties?

• Does anyone ever wear sneakers or casual loafers?

• Do employees wear tailored, formal pants or standard-fare chinos?

• Who wears jeans? T-shirts?

• Don’t spend the day texting or phoning friends. No personal stuff of any kind!

• Don’t get caught updating your Facebook page on your first day.

• Don’t smoke in front of anyone.

• Don’t leave, even for a latte run. And certainly don’t leave early, unless someone is dying.

• The walls have ears, so don’t talk about your new job or your new boss in anything but the most glowing of terms. Similarly, don’t badmouth your former employer or place of work.

• Don’t flirt. Period.

• Don’t put in for vacation time. Unless you’ve pre-negotiated a vacation up front, I’d wait six months to even ask.

The best course of action is to spend the first week or two a little bit overdressed or matched with the most formally dressed person you see in the office. Then, once you understand the dress code and dress within it, you will be able to integrate your own sense of individual style within that aesthetic. And by waiting to bring your unique sensibility to your office attire, you'll be sure not to inadvertently rub others the wrong way or give the impression that you don't care or don't take your new job seriously.


Second, prepare ahead of time for the big morning. The night before your first day, you should plan what you are going to wear and get out everything you need for the new job, including any badges, parking passes, forms, your lunch, snacks, thermos, etc. You do not want to be scrambling for these things in the morning. In fact, you want to be bright eyed and bushy-tailed on day one, so go to bed early. And triple check that you have set the alarm. The last thing you want to do is yawn, slump or look baggy eyed. And no drinking the night before. The last thing you want is to look drained or, God forbid, smell like booze.


Third, be on time. Better yet, be early. To do this you need to be clear as a bell about your transportation and how long it takes to get there. If you drive, you should have the route mapped out and your departure timed so that you will get there ten minutes early. If you take public transportation, same thing. Figure it out ahead of time. You should also find out where you need to be, to whom you need to report, or which office you should start in. You should get any special instructions ahead of time. The worst thing you can do is be late to your first day on the job.


A few other tips: Be courteous and respectful with everyone you meet on the way in, especially parking attendants, receptionists and security guards. These people are your colleagues, too, and should be treated with respect. They can always help you if, say, you get lost or need help or have questions. Plus, you never know who they know, so be respectful and kind.


Remember, you want to make a positive impression and be on your toes. So dress the part, be well rested, be prepared and be on time. Trust me, this means a lot.


The First Day, and Beyond


So, you are at the new job. Now comes the hard part: the actual work. What are the expectations they have for you? The first thing to do is meet with your new boss or supervisor as soon as possible to review your job responsibilities and find out exactly what is expected of you. You want to really take the time to clarify his/her expectations, needs, and wants. It is critical that you learn and understand your role in the organization. Don’t rely simply on that 60-minute interview for your marching orders. On the first day, you should meet with them to establish goals and define your objectives. Your objectives, goals and responsibilities may evolve as you settle in, but starting right away will give you direction when you most need it.


Now, don’t be surprised if there is a little disorganization/disorientation on the first day, or if you don’t feel altogether welcome. Most employers don’t really do a great job of onboarding people, which means orienting them to the new workplace, its ebbs and flows, or what they will be doing on a daily basis. So lower your expectations a bit.


On the other hand, their expectations may be very high, expecting you to jump right in, so find out what they expect. This really depends on the level or position for which you were hired. Expectations for leaders are very different than expectations for receptionists. It is a lot easier to jump right in answering phones than it is to lead a team of people you’ve just met. This is why the first step is so important – find out what they want you to do right away.


Remember another thing: you were hired for your expertise and experience (or talent and potential, or some combination thereof). They liked what they saw and so they brought you on board. But remember that you need to learn your new firm’s way of doing things. You need to respect the culture of the new organization. So, observing and asking questions is the best course of action right out of the gate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, In fact, it would be a little suspicious if you didn’t. Try to make a list of all of your questions so that you can get the most out of other people’s time. And take notes! Asking people the same questions over and over can be really annoying.


And don’t stress out. Easier said than done. You probably feel like all eyes are on you, and you’re probably right. There are lots of simple stress reduction techniques you can use. First find out where the bathroom is. This is obvious, but don’t be afraid to use it! Take mini breaks throughout the day, and try deep breathing or repeating your mantra to yourself, or visualize yourself succeeding. Whatever helps. Also, if there is a mentoring program, take advantage of it. This is a great way to learn the ropes, the culture and smooth your transition.


Socializing With Your New Colleagues


Your new colleagues may or may not be receptive to you, but you certainly have to be receptive to them. Work is a social environment and to be successful, no matter what your position is, you must take the time to get to know your new colleagues. Here’s how. First, don’t be a know-it-all. Don’t talk too much. Instead, listen. It’s not all about you – make it all about them and the new workplace. Ask questions. Be curious. Introduce yourself. Find out about them. Find out what is going on in the organization. Resist the urge to make it all about yourself.
Being the new guy is the perfect time to show deference and respect and to listen and absorb all that they have to say.


Lunch is an important break in the day, and an excellent opportunity to connect with new colleagues. But you’ll have to play the lunch thing by ear until you find out what the lunch culture of the organization is: Do people leave? Do they get an hour? Do they eat at their desks? Is there a cafeteria? Do they eat together in the break room? Chances are, on your first day, someone will guide you in the right direction. Your new boss or your new colleagues may want to take you to lunch. Or not. Lunch may be an informal grab-a-sandwich-in-the-break room sort of thing. (And this is why it was smart to bring a lunch or some snacks, in case the office turns out to be the sort of place where no one leaves for lunch.) If there is a lunchroom that people use, go there, ask if you may join some people and introduce yourself. Whatever you do, don’t make outside plans to have lunch with friends. Stick around your new office. Go with the flow and use lunch as the great opportunity it is.


Last But Not Least
So you’ve prepared yourself, dressed for success and are having a great day. There are just a few other do’s and don’ts for you new job:
It is OK to start networking immediately. You should absolutely attend any office happy hours, parties, and other social events Accept invitations for lunch, dinner, seminars, events, etc. But remember, if you go out for cocktails after work or attend an event with colleagues, have only one drink. No exceptions. And no shots.


Stay positive! One of the things that make it difficult to adjust to a new job is negativity. If you assume that people don't like you or you automatically make judgments about things at the office that you aren't going to like then you're going to find it difficult to approach the job with a positive attitude. Try to focus on the things that you like so far about the work and stay away from anyone that is saying negative things on the job.