How to not be nervous for a job? (Tips)

In this guide, we will discuss How to not be nervous for a job, How not to be nervous for your first job, how to not be nervous during a job interview, how to not be nervous for a job trial and how to not be nervous for a new job.

How to not be nervous for your first job?

If you wonder how to not be nervous for a job or how to not be nervous for your first job, then let us mention that it is completely normal to feel nervous from time to time, especially due to your first job. Here are some useful tips on how to not be nervous for a job:

• When starting a new job, remind yourself it is normal to be nervous.
• Don’t expect to be perfect or know everything on the first day. Give yourself some time to learn and make mistakes.
• Remind yourself that you won’t be new forever. This will take just a few days and even weeks but it is just temporary.
• Keep a notebook or notepad and write things down.

Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking and can make most people very nervous. We probably won’t know anyone and will be anxious about not knowing how to perform our duties but it won’t be like this forever. What we really fear is the uncertainty and the ‘unknown’ factor, things we can’t really control. We think if our colleagues may have a good perception about us, if our boss will recognize our work or if we are good enough. 

Even though it is considered normal when we are too overwhelmed by anxiety and we feel very nervous that it starts affecting our lives then it is recommended to look for help.

If your child gets nervous for school, you should make him read our blog on it which will provide him with tips on how to cope with his nervousness.

It is normal to be nervous

When we face a new situation or something we are not familiar with then we may feel very nervous about what could happen but it is completely normal. However, try not to panic and instead go over the description of the job role and responsibilities. Go into your first day with an open mind and realistic expectations.

In addition, remember what made you want to apply for the job in the first place and what you like about it. If you are feeling nervous because you may think you do not have specific experience or you lack skills remember that you went through a recruitment process and your employer decided you have the skills to do the job you were hired for. 

Finally, you could approach family or friends and talk about how you are feeling. Talking about your concerns and worries with friends and loved ones can help you get the reassurance you need and to ease your anxiety. Also, they may even give you some useful tips on how to manage feeling nervous.

Don’t expect to know everything on the first day

We may want to impress our boss or show how good we are performing our job. Moreover, some people may want to make friends or get to know everyone but in reality, it will take a few weeks and even months before we let ourselves know to our boss and colleagues. No one is expecting you to excel at everything on the first day. 

Moreover, it is normal to be unsure of things during your first day, your boss and colleagues may expect you to ask questions (and to make mistakes). Minor errors are considered as part of the learning process and they will generally be understanding of it.  

Being a new employee is temporary

Feeling the new employee and how people seem to look at us can make us feel very nervous but as days go by we will no longer be considered as ‘new’ employees. Moreover, sometimes we are the only ones feeling this way, strange, like we don’t fit or how everyone seems to know each other for years and we just have arrived. 

Generally, colleagues will try to make you feel welcomed and happy to be working with them unless there are interpersonal issues or confrontations which it’s really a different situation. Subsequently, take your time to approach your colleagues, to get to know them and how they usually work. There is no rush and in time you will start to see how things change for the better.

Write things down 

You don’t need to feel ashamed or embarrassed because you take a notepad and a pen with you, writing down important information during the first few days on the job. On the contrary, this may send the message that you are organized, detail-oriented and that you’d like to do your job as instructed.

Moreover, you could use this for a couple of days and then, while you learn how to perform the duties and tasks related to the job then you can stop using it.

How to not be nervous during a job interview?

This is the previous stage of having your first day, which is also a reason to feel nervous. When we go to a job interview we may feel how our heart starts racing, start trembling, sweating, etc. which is the natural reaction to feeling observed, judged or evaluated. However, there are a few tips that can help calm down your nerves during a job interview:

• Modulate your tone of voice and pace. When we are nervous, we tend to speed up or talk softly or too loud. 
• Monitor your body language. When we are nervous we tend to start shaking without being fully conscious about it but our interviewer can notice we are nervous.
• Your voice may be shaky so take some deep breaths, in through your nose for a count of three and then out. Repeat this a couple of times.
• Look at your interviewer and don’t forget to smile.
• Listen and don’t be afraid to make questions. This shows you are interested in the job.
• Be yourself, genuine and authentic. Just use the words you normally use.

How to not be nervous for a job trial?

Being nervous during a job trial is expected but always remember you have gone through the recruitment process and you have made it. However, as part of the recruitment process, your employer may ask you to go through a job trial which is short but sometimes unpaid. Work trials are not necessarily a bad thing and you can actually think about it as the chance to show your skills to perform in that position.

Normally, your employer will inform you about a job trial when you start working for them and they usually make periodic check-ups on your process, letting you know when you have passed this trial. Moreover, the length of the job trial will depend on the type and complexity of your job. Your employer may ask you for a job trial that lasts from an hour, a few days or a month. However, make sure to ask any questions about the job trial and contractual rights.

How to not be nervous for a new job?

If you have been working for the same company for a few weeks, months or years, starting a new one can make you feel very nervous. It is necessary to understand that feeling nervous will be temporary. Moreover, before your first day, try to get everything ready and a good night’s sleep.  

Remember, when you wake up that same morning that you got the job. You amongst several people that were also interviewed so your employer believes in you and your skills. But it is also important to believe it as well and grow your confidence.

Getting used to being the ‘new employee’ can be really hard at first but eventually, people around you will get used to you. Also, take your time to know the people around you, there is a natural progression so there is no rush. 

Why is this blog about How to not be nervous for a job important?

As we have discussed, being nervous or anxious during your first day at work or if you have a new job is completely normal but remember, if it becomes too overwhelming and is significantly affecting your life then it is recommended to look for help.

However, when starting a new job, remind yourself it is normal to be nervous, also don’t expect to be perfect or know everything on the first day and give yourself some time to learn and make mistakes. Finally, remind yourself that you won’t be new forever and keep a notebook or notepad and write things down.

If you’re a nurse and you have anxiety, check the Best Jobs for Nurses with Anxiety.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about How to not be nervous for a job

References 

Rolfe, A. (n.d.) How to: Stop feeling nervous about starting a new job. Retrieved from reed.co.uk.