Tips for starting a new job/getting back into the workplace
COVID has had such a huge effect on all of us when it comes to work. People have lost their jobs, people have been on furlough or been forced to work from home, and some people have seen this opportunity to make a career change and look for a new job. Of course there are people who have remained in full time work and still love what they do, which is great. It’s not always easy to settle back into a routine or find a totally new routine with a new job, I completely feel you there.
I have this little side business if you will, and I love spending evenings painting and doing things to my website and mumbling along with it all. I especially LOVE writing a weekly blog, it is almost like my therapy (a little cliche I know!) but this doesn't make me any money and my website is just bumbling along and orders are trickling in and I love it and so grateful for the support I have received from people. There is no pressure for me to make lots of money from this and it means that I can let my following and my business grow ‘organically’ when and as it will. This obviously means that I need a ‘proper’ job, so too speak. I have worked in racing for 12 years now - I won’t overly get into that just yet, but the Monday after I launched my business I started a brand new job for a racing charity. And I bloody love it!! But it’s not easy adjusting and it occurred to me I won’t be the only one in this position and as we see people start to return to work offices in the next month or so, and people are starting new jobs if they have been made redundant, I thought it would be great for me to share with you my tips, things I have found that have helped me adjust to my new job role.
BE yourself
I know, I know, another cliche bit of advice but so so so true. In society we have external pressures to be or act a certain way and this can extend to the work place. Starting a new job you can feel like you must also act a certain way or be someone you maybe aren’t. But stay true to yourself no matter what. YOU got that job. YOU impressed on interview so YOU are exactly what they wanted for the position. Don’t feel pressure to change in anyway when you start a new job and remember that YOU are good enough.
make the effort
When I started my new job I was really lucky in that the whole team were great and many scheduled in time to do a ‘virtual’ introduction (COVID times - thank god for video conferencing software), where we had a 30 min chat, spoke about our back grounds before working at the organisation and a little bit about the job role they had and the role they played in the organisation. Some people who had super busy diaries I went out and scheduled in an introduction. It was such a great way to get to know the team and meet people and connect. I couldn't recommend this enough. Making an effort with your new colleagues is invaluable and will really help you adjust to your new role and help you feel part of the team much faster. If you are getting back to the office after working from home, go and do the rounds, say hello, how are you a quick 5 minutes out of your day will not go unnoticed and help get you settled back into the office.
be organised
This is so important. Going into a new job where you are learning the ropes, getting to understand how the organisation works and the ins and outs means being organised is so important. I LOVE the ‘Inspired Stories’ diaries. They are amazing and an absolute god send for me. I love to have my Monthly calendar planned out so I can have a quick glance at what I have on and everyday I can write my meetings down, things I need to get done and any additional notes. They are quite honestly amazing and 100% one of my favourite brands.
I have the Daily Planner which is no long available as its dated from Jan 1st to Dec 31st but the have so many other options and undated options check them out HERE
get a notebook
On the same vain as above, having a notebook is so useful. When you are starting a new job there is so much to take in, it is impossible for your mind to remember it all. Having a note book to write down important things you need to no, and notes from meetings is really helpful. I make a note of the date at the top of the page everyday and then make whatever notes I need to throughout the day. I highlight elements that maybe important and I also washi-tape across the top of important pages such as formatting for newsletters and press releases or key information that is super relevant for the job role and makes those pages really easy to find.
This one is from WHsmith. They have a great collection and so affordable. Shop notebooks HERE
be open to learning
A major thing about starting any new job is realising you are on a learning curve. You may have experience in the position you are in or maybe, like me, it is all pretty new, either way you will still be learning about the role. It’s not always easy, and sometimes you may feel out of your depth - this has been me a couple of times in the last week - but it’s ok and it is totally normal. All organisations do things differently, you may think you know exactly what you need to do and how it should be done, but soon find out that this organisation do things differently and expect different things. You will make mistakes. Be open to learning new ways to do thing, learn new techniques and programmes, and most importantly just learning about your job and how your role slots into the organisation. It’s totally fine to not no it all and asking your colleagues for help is not a sign of weakness or stupidity. My regional manager and the person who does my role in the south, must get a face time from me everyday sometimes multiple times a day, and they are so willing to help, I guarantee you will have the same support in your place of work. Just be open to learn, learn, learn.
get yourself a morning routine
Getting into some healthy morning habits is key to setting yourself up for the day. I will do a whole separate blog on selfceare, and maybe a morning routine blog if it interests you, but for now find a routine that incorporates some healthy habits and stick to it. Get up early, rather than press snooze 5 times and then find yourself rushing around and turning up to work all flustered. Make time to sit down have a cuppa and some breakfast and start your morning as you mean to go on. It really does help set your mind for the whole day.
switch off
At the end of the day just switch off. Starting a new job can be stressful at times. Your mind feels like its in overdrive and it can get on top of you. When you turn your computer off or get through the front door make time to do something that switches your mind mind off and gets you to relax. We can’t keep going at 500 miles an hour and it is easy for us to burn the candle at both ends and if you let this happen you aren’t going to perform to the best of your ability at work and your capacity to take in all the information with be utterly restricted. Again I do have a blog coming up with self-care tips so I don’t want to go to much into it but I wanted to mention this as it is so important for you to remember when you start a new job.
I really hope that some of these tips are useful for those of you that are starting a new job or are anxious about getting back into that work office again. One last thing, enjoy the process, this journey is exciting for you and will open up so many new opportuniyt’s for learning and self development. I wish all of you the VERY best of luck getting back to work or starting your new careers, none of us are alone and take comfort in knowing that at the end of the day everything will be fine. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
See you next week
XoXo