How to Go Into a New Job Feeling Confident

New employees who show confidence also help existing employees feel more at ease with the change.

Starting a new job generally leaves employees feeling nervous and a bit insecure, even when feeling excited about a new opportunity. New employees, no matter how experienced, can expect to experience some cultural differences in the new workplace which requires an adjustment. The unfamiliar environment filled with new faces and the notion that some jobs have a learning curve can leave a new employee wondering if they will fit in and deliver the results they promised in the interview.

Instructions

1. Dress well for the new job. Consider dressing for a job one position higher than yours. This allows co-workers and executives to visualize your fit in a higher position, while also helping you feel more important.

2. Tell yourself encouraging words on the job. It is okay to be your own biggest fan and remind yourself of past job success to boost confidence in the new job. Believe in your abilities to learn and perform at work. Remember that you were selected in a competitive market for the job because the employer believes in you.

3. Maintain good posture, exercise and eat healthy. A good posture will help you feel more important in the new environment and also makes a good impression on co-workers. Exercising helps reduce the stress associated with the new job. Eating a healthy breakfast and lunch will give you the energy you need to deal with all the changes.

4. Allow yourself time to learn. Don't expect to know everything when you first start a new job and accept this. Ask for help and use the interaction to get to know other employees.

5. Familiarize yourself with the organization's culture before instigating major changes. All organizations tend to vary in cultural norms and values. Avoid judging the new culture, instead learn how to be successful in it.To be effective, new leaders or decision-makers need to gain a degree of acceptance from the group before they take on large projects that cause change.

6. Meet and get to know as many people as possible. Use the curiosity and mystery that being a new employee stimulates in the organization. Make it easy for people to get to know you, while getting to know the people around you and creating a new network.

7. Learn as much as possible about what you need to be successful in the new job. Set an expectation that you need to learn before you can perform. Employers expect that new employees need time to get up to speed. This is particularly true if the job is complex or requires organization-specific knowledge. Learn to do your job right and recognize that employers are happy when they see new employees dedicated to learning.

8. Fake confidence if you are having trouble mustering up some genuine confidence. Act like you are confident in your ability to perform at the new job and are comfortable in the environment. Eventually true confidence will take over and you can drop the act.

References

• Pick the Brain; 10 Ways to Instantly Build Self Confidence; Erin Falconer
• Mind Tools -- Essential Tools for an Excellent Career: Starting a New Job
• Work Awesome; 5 Tips for Building Confidence; Sarah Nagel; October 2010
• The Confidence Guy; Why Do You Lose Confidence in Yourself?; Steve Errey; May 2011
• Office Arrow; How to Boost Your Confidence at Work; Chrissy Scivicque
• Positivearticles.com: Should You Fake Confidence?; Jeremy Gislason

Resources

• "Planning Job Choices"; The Critical First Year on the Job; Ed Holton; 1997