Pretty Suited

Starting anything for the first time can be quite scary, including a new job or career. Whether you’re exploring a role at a new company or changing titles at your current employer, you may not feel confident in your new responsibilities or how well you’ll fit in.

A research study performed on hundreds of retail workers concluded that a phenomenon, known as workplace phobic anxiety, is an important issue in employee health and attendance.

These pressures can ruin your advancement, and are often caused by fear, stress, and underperformance.

Fortunately, here are five ways to help improve your chances of success within your new position!

1. Be Observant

It may come as a surprise that kicking the door down on your first day and demanding that the rules change, may not be the best way to start. While looking at a new job with a fresh set of eyes can offer a helpful perspective on how things can improve, that same perspective can also be viewed as intrusive to those who have already been there.

Therefore, the initial approach of a new employee should include observing how the system works, figuring out who the key players are, identifying weak links, and collecting any other data that can support your personal goals.

It may take some time to gather this information, since stepping out of line too soon can cause issues in the future.

Nevertheless, moving discretely and with patience can prove to be more beneficial in the long run, rather than showing your hand prematurely.

2. Punctuality Is Key

There is validity to the phrase, “If you’re early, you’re on time; if you’re on time, then you’re late.”

While the construct of time varies from one person to another, one thing that can’t be denied is its value. In most professional settings in America, punctuality, or the quality of being on time, is deemed as a sign of respect for others. Meanwhile, showing up late, especially on a consistent basis, can be seen as disrespectful to others.

Therefore, as a new team member, a great way to be seen in a positive light by your colleagues is to show up early and prepared, especially since new surroundings can unexpectedly cause delays.

Something as simple as mapping out your commute can be helpful in avoiding traffic or other delays.

3. Look Like A Winner

Presentation matters. Point blank—period.

There is something to be said about how you show up to make a living. Aside from punctuality, appearance can be a determining factor of how you are received by others.

Thankfully, there is no need to break the bank to look good! If the position doesn’t require a specific uniform, finding fashionable items from places like consignment shops, Ashley Stewart, TJ Maxx, and local boutiques can not only boost self confidence, but also improve the confidence that others have in you.

Looking confident is known to inspire leadership, enhance respect, and can be great conversation starters amongst colleagues.

Familiarity with the dress code of the organization can also help prevent derogatory marks in evaluations, thereby increasing your chances of promotion a lot sooner.

Remember, when you look good, you feel good.

4. Set Boundaries

Being the new kid on the block can be quite nerve wrecking at first, but adapting to the new environment can be a little easier with kindness. Depending on the work at hand, being pleasant and performing small, but helpful tasks early can display initiative and willingness to be a part of the team.

Unfortunately, too much of a good thing too soon can be harmful for all parties as well, especially if their actions cause major errors due to lack of proper training.

In an ideal situation, newcomers should feel welcomed and confident in their roles after orientation. However, various factors, such as understaffing and gossip, can create tension and inadequate training instead.

Like previously mentioned, displaying kindness and showing initiative can go a long way, but setting clear boundaries on what is appropriate for someone in training can go a lot further in dignity and respect.

5. Play The Long Game

It’s quite easy to get caught up in the trend of “quiet quitting”, where people do the bare minimum at work for sake of just receiving a paycheck. While that may be a motive for some, there are others that have career goals that require going above and beyond to obtain them.

Whether the goal is to be a supervisor of a department, a CEO of a company, or simply just creating generational wealth, mapping out a plan for those goals can help the journey move along more efficiently than you just “winging it” with no plan.

Building a proper network of supporters and mentors, getting constructive feedback, obtaining certifications and specialized training, and achieving positive results for the company can put you ahead of the crowd and a step closer to your goal.

Of course, this is not the 1970s, where most people felt like they had to stay with a toxic company or work environment for the sake of longevity. In fact, recent studies show that millennials and Gen Zers are more likely to switch employers more than any other generation due to factors such as compensation and work-life balance.

Regardless of your decision to stay with one employer or work for several, you must keep in mind your “long game” and what’s best for you to get there.

Starting a new career or job should be an exciting time for you. Therefore, don’t let the troubles of the unknown, workplace gossip, lateness, or any other minor inconvenience prevent you from succeeding. As long as you create a circle of strong teammates and keep your eyes on the prize, the sky is the limit!

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