"One of the most exciting, yet stressful chapters in everyone's career is that first year in the workforce. While the new experiences and responsibilities bring so much to look forward to, they can also create a great deal of uncertainty which can become difficult to deal with."
Navigating your first year in the workforce
One of the most exciting, yet stressful chapters in everyone's career is that first year in the workforce. While the new experiences and responsibilities bring so much to look forward to, they can also create a great deal of uncertainty which can become difficult to deal with.
More likely than not, your workplace is going to be completely new to you. Excessive amounts of uncertainty in a new environment can lead to increased anxiety which can be difficult to deal with. I recently had to work on finding ways to deal with this uncertainty when I began my internship at Accurate Personnel this summer. It was not always the easiest, but there were some tactics that I believe helped me get to where I needed to be. Below are some ways to help you navigate your way through your first year in the workforce and the challenges that it comes with.
Setting Expectations
One of the first things you need to do is set expectations for your first year. More likely than not, you will need to work your way up to a position you desire. It is important to not feel discouraged about this because everyone has to start somewhere. With hardwork you will be more than capable of reaching where you want to go, but it takes time and a lot of dedication.
You can also set goals to help you stay on track with your work. The more goals you set and reach, the closer you will get to where you want to be. There are a few different types of goals that you can set. The first one being focused on your skill development specific to the position you are in. Work towards improving your skills and becoming a better worker.
Another type of goal you can set are performance goals. These will focus more on how good the work you are doing actually is. It will be helpful to set these goals with your manager as they will have a better idea of the quality of work expected from your role. Of course, there are other types of goals you can set for yourself, but these two topics are a great jumping off point when you start off your job.
Building Relationships
A quick way to make yourself feel more comfortable in your new work environment is by building relationships with your colleagues that have been there for an extended period of time. They know how things work and they will answer any questions you may have. Also, the more comfortable you feel around the people you work with, the more comfortable you will feel in that work environment. Building relationships and trust with your coworkers will lead to a more comfortable workspace.
Seek Feedback
One of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the first year in the workforce is your job performance in your position. The best way to minimize this concern is to seek feedback from your manager and those around you. Ask them what you have been doing well and what you can make improvements on.
The most important thing to do while asking for feedback is to be coachable. Be willing to accept that you might have room for improvement and work hard to get better. Putting in noticeable effort will earn you respect amongst your colleagues and will help you become more comfortable in this new role.
Work-Life Balance
Something to keep in mind during your first year in the workforce is maintaining a proper work-life balance. It may seem that work is taking up all your time and while it is important, so is the rest of your life. It is extremely important that you remember this and you take proper care of your life outside of work. Doing so should help limit additional pressure during an already stressful time in your life. The less you stress about your life outside of work, the clearer your mind will be and the better your job performance will be.
Looking Ahead
While the majority of your focus will be on how you are doing at your job currently, you must also start preparing for what comes after your first year. The more you can be prepared for what's to come, the more successful you will be in the future. Be open to discussing a plan for your future with your manager so you are not left wondering about what might come next. The last thing you want to do is head into your future with no plan in place.
This is where long term goals can come into play for you. Set long term goals centered around your performance or around a role you might want to have in the future. This will give you a good plan that you can follow and can help keep you on your desired track.
Own Experiences
This summer I began my professional career with an internship at Accurate Personnel. Throughout this process I had to use many of these tactics to stay comfortable in my new environment. For example, building relationships with my coworkers made me feel welcome and comfortable in my new workplace. That also made it easier when I would seek feedback on my work. I was able to trust that the feedback I would receive from my coworkers was something that would help me improve my work. Many of these tactics go hand in hand just like this. I learned that when you focus on even a couple of these points, the rest become easier because you put yourself in a position to succeed.
There are many challenges that you will face over the duration of your first year. With these challenges comes plenty of lessons to be learned that will only help you become successful in your future. Here at Accurate Personnel, we have a team of career experts that are willing to help answer any questions or concerns you may have in your professional life. Contact our team today by visiting any of our local offices, or by calling us at 847-310-9100.
