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You’re 18, just out of high school, and you land your first entry-level job: stocking shelves at a Safeway overnight. One day into it, and you already feel like quitting. Work is hard as it is, but if your first day sounds like this, here are ten tips from an online community to ease into the professional world. In this article, to will learn about The First Day Dilemma: A New Employee’s Quest for Career Contentment.
It Gets Easier
As cliche as it sounds, it gets easier. First days at most jobs will wipe you out, and understandably so. As one person points out, “The first day of work can be exhausting. You’re put into a bunch of scenarios that you’re not used to. The second day will be much easier, and it will get easier from there.”
You’re Not Alone
Unless you’re lucky enough to land your dream job, no job is ever “meant” for anybody. Most people just realize they need money to live and find a job. While that sounds bleak, it also means that you aren’t alone, and this feeling is normal. Just don’t lose sight of what you started working for in the first place.
Patience Is Virtue
It might seem like a no-brainer, but patience is your best friend for difficult first days. “Do the best you can, and with time, you’ll adapt and learn how to handle it better. Give it at least a month. Let a couple of paychecks come in so you decide if it’s worth it,” advises one.
Fight the Boredom
With entry-level jobs, you’re often stuck with monotonous tasks. First days are dull, but that doesn’t mean it has to be that way. A user recommends that you work your way around things and make the experience tolerable. “Try your best to interact with other coworkers. You might meet people that make work more bearable and actually fun to hang out with”.
You’ll Get Used to It
Many people believe you’ll get used to it if you stick around long enough. The first days are all over the place since you are just getting the hang of things. “You need to learn to let discomfort pass and try to make friends or be cordial with coworkers. It makes the time go by faster,” writes one member.
Tune Out
Here’s a practical tip. If your job is menial and you’re left to yourself for most of the time, try using earbuds if allowed. Listen to podcasts or music, and keep yourself busy as you stock shelves or do your night duty.
Eliminate Confounding Variables
If your first day at work is horrible, you might want to consider other factors contributing to your uneasiness. It may not always be the job itself causing problems but something else altogether. For instance, going into night duty without adjusting your schedule first will obviously leave you tired.
Don’t Quit Before You Start
What’s important is to make a genuine effort to adapt to your new responsibilities. As one person points out, “If you start a habit of quitting jobs right after you start them, it will only hurt you in the long run. Stick it out for a while, and after a few months, if you still don’t like it, start searching for a new one.”
An Inevitable Process
One member gives a fun analogy: “Finding a job is like dating. You have to go through the ones that aren’t for you to find the one that is. But once you find the one that is, you’re golden.” Your first day may seem difficult right now, but imagine all the doors it will open for you to do something you like.
Choose Yourself
Lastly, test your waters, and if you think it’s beyond your ability to cope with the job, then quit. Seek other opportunities on the side while you’re testing things out. As one member says, “Life isn’t worth being unhappy.”
Source: Reddit.
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