Articles From the Team

Confronting First Day Fears

Confronting First Day Fears

So, you think the hard part of getting a new job is the interview process? Well, yes that is a particularly challenging hurdle and well worth a glass or two of champagne to celebrate the new job once offered and accepted, however, the real trials and tribulations start in the lead up to your first day!  Joanne Lack, Senior Associate with BCL Legal in Birmingham offers advice on the best way of confronting first day fears

Thoughts of the ‘first day’ are full of anxiety …what to wear, what time to leave home so as not to be late, will the team be friendly, will you be able to absorb all the information thrown at you during your induction, and inevitably will you be any good ?? These thoughts all lead to moments of panic in the early hours leading up to your first day and can easily make you a nervous wreck.  The trick is to realise these thoughts are all normal and to embrace them!

Never consider your first day to be the norm.  The first day, first week, first month, even the first six months are not generally a true reflection on what the job/people/firm are like in reality.  Your insecurities will be running wild during this time so take the time to really settle in before making judgement. This thinking time is essential in order for you to form a rational opinion.  Don’t feel like you need to know everything and everyone after day 1! Take one day at a time, your confidence will increase with each passing day and before you know it, you will be up and running and you will no longer feel like the ‘new person’.

As recruiters we talk from experience.  We know how hard first days can be from your point of view as well as actually experiencing it first hand – we recruiters have first days too!  Always talk through any concerns with the recruitment consultant who assisted you in your job search, they will no doubt have some good advice.  Whether this is your first or tenth job move, starting a new job is never easy and there will be a massive learning curve, full of highs and lows regardless of the type of role.  Feel positive that everyone at some time or another will be in exactly the same situation and look forward to the challenge and rewards that a new job can bring!

Having been with my previous company for over 10 years, I have recently joined BCL Legal as a Senior Associate in the Private Practice team in Birmingham so am all too familiar with first day nerves and the anxieties that starting a new job bring but they are short lived! If you are looking to secure a new job and would like a confidential discussion contact Joanne Lack at BCL Legal on 0121 230 1850 or email joannelack@bcllegal.com