How to deal with being the ‘newbie’ at work: surviving your first job

When you are fresh off of college and about to start your first job, it’s normal to be nervous. If it makes you feel better, being the ‘newbie’ at work doesn’t get easier, whether it’s your first job or your nth.

At age 22, I landed my first job as a freelance writer for a leading English weekend newspaper. Funny story, I went to the office on my first day without even knowing it was Day One. Somewhere the wires got crossed, and I went in mentally prepping myself for a second interview. Instead, my new boss asked me to go for an interview with two representatives from the marketing department. My role for the day went from being an interviewee to being the one conducting the interview with little warning. A confusing start as a newbie to the job.

After a few years, I left my first job to broaden my horizons at another company. By then, I had a lot of experience under my belt. So you would assume I handled it with grace. You would be wrong. I spent my first day as the newbie at work mostly feeling confused. After being used to the work environment and camaraderie of my first job, the company culture of the new office took some getting used to.

Why do people dislike being the newbie at work?

If you are a new job seeker, it is only natural to be nervous about your job. First-day jitters are bad, but they aren’t going to ruin your day.

However, even experienced professionals can dislike being the newbie at work. And there are some reasons for this. You are entering a company where the rest of your colleagues have been working together for some time. They are familiar with each other, the working conditions, the office drama and the company culture. All of these things are new to you. So it can feel intimidating, especially if you feel inexperienced. And if you are also a bit introverted, it can even feel like no one is trying to connect with you.

I remember coming across a tweet that compared being the newbie at work to being the new character in a tv show in its fifth or so season. The tweet got a chuckle out of me, but I also felt it deep in my bones.

What you have to remember is, your colleagues don’t have to reach out to you. It’s up to you to make friends. Offer a few lighthearted comments to your neighbour when work is slow. Invite your team members to join you for lunch at the cafeteria. Find some common interests to bond over during tea break. Once you start to break the ice, your colleagues will slowly become workmates.

Easy ways to handle being the newbie at work

How do you insert yourself into a team where the other members are familiar with each other? Here are some tips to help you.

Stay confident in yourself

The way you carry yourself can say a lot about you. So don’t let the nerves get the best of you. Sure, your senior colleagues do have more experience. But your company hired you for a reason. So believe in your credentials and carry out your work with confidence. That confidence will reflect on your performance. It will also help you to get used to working with your new team and get rid of any lingering newbie at work fears.

Be patient as the newbie at work

There are two ways your first day can go. One is where your workstation is all ready for you, and one where it isn’t. I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum. The best way to handle the situation is to remain polite. Simply ask them for a temporary workstation until your permanent seating arrangement is ready. No matter how shiny and sparkly your credentials are, you are still the new person. Getting annoyed or demanding them to prepare your workstation will not make you any friends.

Accept that you have a lot to learn

Being confident in yourself is great. But always keep in mind that you can’t and don’t know everything. Even if you do have all the knowledge about your field, you are still the newbie at work. The company may have policies and procedures that you don’t know.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions

On that note, you don’t have to try and figure out the things you don’t know by yourself. Reach out to your colleagues and ask them if you have any questions. Don’t worry about looking confused, incompetent or inexperienced. You are new. You don’t have to know every single thing about the company. Just ask if you don’t know something.

As the newbie at work, listen, don’t babble

There are times when people babble when they are nervous. However, instead of making you look friendly, others may think you are too pushy. As the new person, it’s better if you listen more to the people around you. Don’t try to force yourself into a conversation, especially if it’s on a serious topic. In such a scenario, it’s better to wait until someone asks your opinion.

Try to not gossip around

Office gossip vines are pretty intriguing. But as the newbie, you can’t just jump in, no matter how interesting it is. First, concentrate on making friends and knowing the in-jokes and drama. Learn who you can trust and earn their trust. Then, if you are still interested in finding out what ABC from accounting did on the company retreat, go ahead.

Stand up for yourself

Some seniors abuse that position and dump a lot of tasks on the newbie. After all, they are too inexperienced, junior and new to say no. It’s unfair and a habit that hopefully, you won’t encounter. It’s ok to play along once or twice. But if you see it starting to become a habit, you have to set boundaries. If the work is something that can be done later or not your responsibility, politely decline. Or you might not be able to do so later on.

Keep your desk clean

It’s normal for employees to decorate their workstations with personal items like family photos. But until you are more familiar with your place of work and colleagues, it’s better to keep your work area neat and tidy. Since most employees have to share their work areas, it is also important to make sure that you are not inconveniencing your neighbours.