Both you and your new employer will have some anxiety when you start your new job.  Will you be a good fit?  How much on-the-job training will you need?  Will you be productive?  According to W. Johnson of ATD, starting a new job is infamous for inducing anxiety and aggravating stress.  In fact, it ranks close to divorce or the death of a loved one among life events that we find most difficult to navigate.  Here are some navigation tips.

A.  Realize you are not alone.

You may feel alone, but you are not.  Every new employee goes through this, even the CEO.  Remember that the employer wants you to succeed.

B.  Introduce yourself to everyone.

Even if another employee is assigned to show you around, introduce yourself.  Everyone’s asking, Who’s the new kid on the playground?  If you are an introvert, this is the time to become an extrovert, at least temporarily.  Learn the names of other employees, especially those co-workers on your team or crew.  They were once new on the job, too.  You may want to come back to them later to ask for direction, advice, or assistance on work tasks.

C.  Clarify job expectations.

Most employment situations are dynamic, that is, they’re always in flux and moving.  The job may have changed between your applying for it and finally getting it.  What, if anything, changed?  Change in tasks?  Adjusted time frame?  Change in team members?  Clarify job expectations.

D.  Ask for feedback.

Everyone starts at the low end of the learning curve.  Everyone’s first steps are to find the vending machine and the rest room.  But becoming more competent is progress.  After a few days on the new job, request specific feedback.  How are you doing?  Not just the general "You’re doing fine” response, but specific feedback.  Are you making progress?  Acknowledged progress will help you feel more comfortable in a new job.

The lesson plan for the Employability Skill of Climbing the Career Ladder has been updated to include this Key Question.