Here are three things typical of your first weeks on a new job. 1. You will get sick. 2. You will find out you were lied to. 3. You will have a mini-crisis at home.
There. Now that you have
proper expectations, it will be easier.
If these don't happen to you, be pleasantly surprised. If they do, here are some tips.
RULE NO. 1: YOU WILL GET SICK
Why do so many people get sick first weeks on a job? Probably two things are at work here: stress and a lowered immune system meeting a new germ pool ready to invade.
The stress of a major change (such as a new job) can lower your immune system. It depends upon you, level of stressor, and what it means to you. The new germ pool, however, is waiting for you. You're moving into a new environment of viruses and bacteria your body hasn't built resistance to. After a matter of weeks, you've generally adjusted and will quit getting sick.
Allergies and personal sensitivities may also play a part. Your new surroundings will have usual collections of chemicals, odors and bad air. New carpeting, musty file rooms, someone who has a scented candle in their office, lots of live plants (that harbor molds) . It's all there. You may react strongly at first; other times, we "develop" allergy as time goes by.
EXAMPLE:
The lawyer Julie worked for had just returned from a hunting safari in Africa. During her first month on job, head of a water buffalo (whatever) arrived in his office, crated and heavily packed in naphtha. (The raw ingredient in moth balls is naphtha.) It was delivered while she as at lunch and when she returned, odor was overwhelming, and had, of course, already invaded HVAC system. As with ammonia, some people are immediately and strongly affected by odors, while others hardly notice it. In case of naphtha, however, Julie's doctor confirmed it could have caused real damage (when she went to check on her sore throat).
Could you anticipate something like that? No way. You can only expect unexpected, work on your EQ, and be prepared to cope.
RULE NO. 2: YOU WILL FIND OUT YOU WERE LIED TO
It happens to best of us, from best of us, in best of places, at best of times. In other words, don't over-react. Keep your cool, your Emotional Intelligence, but understand that all communication represents MIScommunication, and when someone wants something (like wanting you to come and work for them), they will do what it takes, emotionally. "Motivation," as we say, "is not a thinking word."
Few hirers will outright lie to you, or misrepresent truth, but many will fail to mention certain things (like you're expected to take a turn babysitting boss' pre-teen when she comes to office) or they exaggerate ("we get usual vacations off" - only it doesn't mean federal holidays!).
Yes, you can listen carefully at interview time, and ask questions for clarification, but nobody's perfect.
Clients tell me about sins of commission and omission both.
Hang in there and test it out during early weeks. If it's something you really can't live with, you'll have to do something about it. Otherwise, live with it, and adjust your attitude accordingly.
EXAMPLES:
1. Benjamin, an English major, was hired to teach Russian in an inner city high school. When he got there, he found out he'd also been assigned 3 Spanish classes, when he had never taken Spanish and had no knowledge of language whatsoever. When he found out they were indeed serious, he decided to find another job. 2. Marianna took a job in a firm assuming she'd be given overtime. The first pay check, she found out she'd been "salaried" and there would be no overtime, but there would be bonuses. The benefits were excellent. She liked people. She decided she could live with that.
