The First Month is the Hardest – Top Tips for Surviving a New Role

I won’t lie I am a bit nervous to write this blog because I started at Optimum approximately 1 month, 12 days and maybe 12 hours ago and what a rollercoaster it has been. Every day I feel like I am doing the worst job that could ever be done but also at the same time I might be the best rookie recruiter that Optimum has ever seen. I can’t say much about what you need to do to become a master recruiter, but I can tell you how I took a leap of faith, followed my gut and pushed through the uncomfortableness of the first month of a new job. 

This is my unqualified job order on pushing through the growing pains of a new role.

Talk To Everyone

First thing first, talk to everyone. First impressions count, everyone has been the new person somewhere. You have to go against your desire to sit at your desk on your phone and be too cool for school when in reality you feel too nervous to approach anyone. You need to make sure you like the role and the culture so just start off with a “good morning” and see how far it takes you. 

Make No Judgements 

My Mum said to me on my first day ‘don’t judge anyone, it takes a while for people to warm up and get to know you.’ Personally, I expect everyone to be my best friend right of the bat,  and when that doesn’t happen, I start to recluse. I challenge you to fight this feeling because one thing I have learnt during this first month in recruiting, is that friendliness prevails. 

Ask As Many Questions As Humanly Possible

I know this goes without saying but when I joined Optimum, I had no recruiting experience and I know that I fell victim to putting too much pressure on myself and feeling like I needed to know everything, but this was only a detriment to myself. Everyone around you only wants you to succeed, and by asking as many questions as possible you show a) that you are invested and b) that you aren’t afraid to ask and learn.

Remember That Everyone Has To Start Somewhere 

Everyone single person around you has been in your position whether they are starting a new career or are new to the office. I like to think of it as though when I leave these doors I don’t exist to these people, so even if I say something silly, I know they have bigger fish to fry than what the new girl said. 

Listen, Really Listen

Someone very wise told me that I need to “listen, really listen” and at first, I’ll be honest I was stunned because I thought I was listening, turns out I wasn’t. I know I am guilty of getting excited and forgetting to trust the process, and you don’t have to have to do everything all at once. Enjoy the ride and take in everything and everyone around you. 

In December I broke my ankle and suddenly had to stop, take a break and be with my thoughts for the first time in a while. I stepped away from my physically demanding role as bar supervisor and felt this overwhelming sense of complacency. I knew that I didn’t want to be an accountant, despite being in the middle of my accounting degree, and I knew that hospitality was not my be all and end all. I felt stuck literally and figuratively. 

But once the cast came off and I found myself in an exciting new role at Optimum, I knew that everything happens for a reason.  At the time you could not have convinced me this was the case but I promise you, you will end up where you are meant to be.  Just push past the uncomfortableness and allow yourself the opportunity to experience new things, because everything good takes time and effort. 

If you feel like a new start in a new role, then reach out to us here at Optimum Consulting.